Lost luggage? New Apple feature will let you share bag location with airlines

Apple's new Share Item Location feature allows users to share AirTag locations with airlines, enhancing lost luggage recovery. Major airlines are adopting this to improve baggage tracking.

In Short

• Apple’s new Share Item Location feature lets users share AirTag locations with airlines to help recover lost items
• Users can generate secure location links in the Find My app, viewable on an interactive map
• Major airlines like Delta and United will adopt this feature to improve lost baggage tracking

Apple has launched a new feature, "Share Item Location," designed to help users track and recover misplaced items more easily. This feature, available on the iOS 18.2 public beta and coming soon as a free update for iPhone Xs and newer models, allows users to securely share the location of AirTags or other Find My network accessories with third parties, including airlines. The goal is to provide a seamless way for users to recover lost belongings, especially during travel.

With Share Item Location, users can generate a shareable link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The recipient of the link can view the item's current location on an interactive map that updates as the item moves, along with timestamps for recent updates. The shared location automatically deactivated once the item is recovered, and the feature can be disabled by the owner at any time. Links are designed to expire after seven days, enhancing user control and security.

Apple's new feature aims to assist travelers in locating misplaced baggage, a growing concern for airline passengers. In collaboration with airlines, Apple has integrated Share Item Location into the customer service processes of more than 15 major airlines, including Delta, United, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines. By the end of 2024, these airlines plan to support Find My location data to help locate delayed or mishandled baggage, with more airlines expected to join over time.

The Share Item Location feature works within the established privacy framework of Apple’s Find My network, which is built with end-to-end encryption and user anonymity. Apple states that data security is central to the feature, with only authorized individuals at participating airlines having access to the location information. Airline customer service agents can use this data to track and reunite lost items with their owners, providing a valuable tool for more efficient baggage management.

This initiative extends to SITA, a global leader in air transport technology, which plans to incorporate Share Item Location into its WorldTracer system, used by over 500 airlines worldwide. By adopting this feature, Apple and SITA aim to streamline baggage management, offering travelers added peace of mind when checking in their luggage.

With this feature, Apple hopes to ease the frustrations of misplaced luggage for travelers worldwide, turning technology into a practical tool to help reunite users with their belongings securely and reliably.