How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!


How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!Pin

Wondering how to set up AirTag? AirTags are Apple’s latest gadget. They’re also the tiniest. You can attach an AirTag to any item you wish and then track that item with your iPhone or iPad. But first, you’ll need to set up your AirTag. Here’s how.


Apple’s AirTag trackers have been one of the most long-awaited products Apple has ever released. Apple has been working on the AirTag since at least 2017 and there were rumors Apple was preparing to ship the devices as soon as 2019. For whatever reason, that release date was pushed back to 2021.

How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!Pin

But now the AirTag is here! And it’s a terrific little gadget. The AirTag itself is about the size of a large coat button, which means you can slip it into even the smallest of objects, like a coin purse or wallet. 

Or, if you wish, you can buy an AirTag accessory to attach it to items that don’t have pockets–like an umbrella, keys, bicycles, or anything else you can think of. Most AirTag accessories come in the form of small pouches you slip the AirTag into, which have a key ring on the end, which is how you attach it to an item.

How AirTags Work

AirTag support was introduced with the myriad new features of iOS 14.5. AirTags work via Apple’s Find My network. This is the same network that already lets you track your iOS and Mac devices in the Find My app and also lets you track your friends (with their permission).

AirTags don’t actually have a constant internet connection. Instead, they connect to the Find My network by emitting a Bluetooth signal. That signal then latches on to macOS and iOS devices out in the real world. Those devices then relay the AirTag’s unique identifier to Apple’s Find My network, which is how you track the items your AirTags are attached to.

How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!Pin

And don’t worry, just because your AirTag is pining off of stranger’s iPhones and Macs that doesn’t mean those strangers have any ability to find your AirTagged items. The process is fully encrypted and private. No one can locate your AirTagged items except for you–via the Find My app.

Before You Get Started: AirTag Requirements

Before we tell you how to pair an AirTag so it shows up in your Find My app it’s important to note certain requirements you’ll need to use AirTags. Specifically you’ll need:

  • An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later. 
  • Find My turned on on your iOS device.
  • Bluetooth turned on on your iOS device.
  • A strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
  • Location Services turned on on your iOS device. To turn on Location Services, Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

Setting Up Your AirTag With Your iPhone or iPad

How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!Pin

If you meet the requirements above, you’re good to go (provided you have an AirTag at first. The next set then is to pair that AirTag with your iPhone or iPad. By pairing the AirTag you’ll associate it with your Apple ID account, and thus your personal Find My network.

First thing to do is unpack your AirTag. Once it’s out of its package, you’ll notice that there is a little plastic tab sticking out from the AirTag. Pull this tab out. A larger piece of plastic will slide out with it.

How To Set Up AirTag: Pair An AirTag With Your iPhone & iPad!Pin

This piece of plastic was a divider placed in the AirTag so its included removable battery would not drain during shipping. When you pul the plastic divider out, your AirTag will make a sound, letting you know the battery is activated now and you can now continue to pair the device.

So now follow these steps:

  1. Hold your AirTag near your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. A white card will appear on your device’s screen showing the AirTag. When you see this card the Connect button. Note: if you have more than one AirTag near your device, move the other ones away. Only set up one at a time. If the others are too close you’ll see a “More than one AirTag detected” message.
  2. Now select an item name from the list that appears. So if you are attaching your AirTag to car keys, select “keys”. Alternately you can select Custom Name to name your AirTag whatever you want. This name is what will appear in the Find My app and lets you identify what item the AirTag is attached to.
  3. Once you have named your AirTag, tap Continue.
  4. Then, to register your AirTag with your Apple ID, tap Continue again.  
  5. Now, tap Done. 

And that’s it! Now your AirTag is set up and ready to be tracked. You can find out how to track an AirTag you’ve already set up in our explainer here. Also, here’s how to factory reset an AirTag if you need to. And here is what you should do if you found a lost AirTag! Here’s what to do if you think you are being stalked with an AirTag. Also, check out How To Update AirTag Firmware!

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB