AirTag is compatible with a number of Apple devices, including iPhone, although it works best with newer models. This is due to the advanced U1 chip included in these newer iPhones. However, that’s not to say owners of older iPhone models can’t or shouldn’t buy one. It is just they will need to rely on the other AirTag item tracking features instead. Here's how AirTag iPhone compatibility works.
Apple announced the AirTag during its 2021 Spring Loaded event. This is a small item-tracking beacon-type device that can be attached to other devices and accessories, and provides the user with a way to find them when lost or misplaced. An individual AirTag can be purchased for just $29 while a pack of four costs $99, bringing the price of each one down to around $25.
Before purchasing an AirTag or four, it is worth understanding how device support works. For example, the major selling point with AirTag, over the likes of Tile trackers, is the use of Apple’s Precision Finding technology. This solution takes advantage of Apple’s U1 Ultra Wideband chips to not only more accurately determine distance, but also direction. As a result, users of an iPhone with a U1 chip can more easily find anything that an AirTag is attached to. For reference, the only iPhone models compatible with Apple’s Precision Tracking are the iPhone 11 series and the iPhone 12 series.
Precision Finding Compatible iPhone Models:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max.
AirTag & Older iPhone Models
Although owners of an iPhone model without a U1 chip won’t be able to take advantage of the best tracking experience possible, they can still buy and use an AirTag. Besides the use of Precision Tracking, AirTag also supports location finding through Bluetooth and NFC, similar to how other trackers work. Therefore, users can still find and locate any device or accessory that an AirTag is attached to, it is just the degree of accuracy won't be as great as when using a U1-equipped iPhone. However, AirTag support does also require an iPhone to be running a minimum of iOS 14.5. Due to this, AirTag compatibility only extends back to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. In addition, as the technology makes use of Apple’s Find My network, a user will need to have an Apple ID, as well as both iCloud and Find My set up and enabled.
AirTag is a versatile item tracker and its support is wide enough to account for many device owners and users. However, there are limitations and those grow the older an iPhone becomes. Overall, as long as an iPhone is running at least iOS 14.5, then AirTag will be compatible. Those with an iPhone 11 or 12 model can expect to gain access to the the maximum benefits associated with Apple’s AirTag.
Source: Apple