The scenario of going around the house in search of your car keys, wallet, or even the remote belongs in the previous century, am I right?
Now, with advanced technology like the Apple Air Tag, you could easily track any item using your smartphone. But is there a monthly fee for the Apple Air Tag?
After some research, I’m glad to let you know that I have the answer to your question!
Thankfully, Apple Air Tags don’t require any monthly fees. It’s only the initial purchase of the Air Tag, and no additional costs is needed afterwards. However, you should be aware that you might need to buy batteries or accessories to use the Air Tags with more ease.
- Keychains
- Wallets
- Watches
- Pet Collar Loops
- Luggage and luggage tags
In this article, I’ll dive deeper into all the costs related to the Apple Air Tag to give you the full picture.
Why Isn’t There a Monthly Fee for Apple Air Tag?
There’s no need for there to be a monthly subscription for an Apple Air Tag because it’s viewed as an accessory that you can add to your collection.
After paying for an Air Tag and attaching it to a backpack or a purse, the little tracker uses Bluetooth to connect to your iOS device and send its location to your iCloud. Then, all you’ll have to do is open the Find My app map, and you’ll be able to see where the Air Tag is.
Since the Find My application itself is free and doesn’t require a monthly fee, then the entire process won’t cost you more than the initial price!
Related Article – Can Airtag Track a Car?
How Much Does an Apple Air Tag Cost?
A single Apple Air Tag will cost you 29$, but you could always grab a pack of four for 99$, which is a lot more affordable. This is also the better option if you’ll be tracking three or four items instead of only one.
Apple Air Tags are available for purchase directly from Apple, just like any accessory you’d normally buy from the Apple Store.
Just remember that Air Tags are sold separately without any accessories that attach them to the items you want to track. Therefore, you might end up paying extra for an Apple Air Tag Key Ring, an Apple Air Tag Loop, or more.
Still, none of these accessories are a must-have for your Air Tag to work; they’ll just make things more convenient for you. Plus, there are other more affordable alternatives sold by third-party manufacturers, so it’s a choice you could make if you have a tight budget.
You should also know that Apple Air Tags only work with devices that use the iOS system, namely an iPhone or an iPad. Thus, if you’re not already an Apple user, having to buy an iPhone especially for this purpose will drive the costs incredibly higher.
For an iPhone or iPod touch, the device must be equipped with iOS 14.5 or later. The same goes for an iPad, which should have iPadOS 14.5 or later.
Related Article – How Far Can Airtag Track?
How Much Does an Apple Air Tag Battery Cost?
Within about a year of purchasing your Air Tag, you’ll likely need to buy a new CR2032 battery to use this technology. Luckily, this type of battery is widely available in drugstores, large retail stores, and even online.
A pack of six CR2032 batteries will likely cost you between $6 and $8, which isn’t a substantial amount of money to spend on a yearly basis.
Are Air Tag Locations Private?
Yes. Apple has made sure that all the data transferred between your Air Tags and your iOS device is encrypted to keep your privacy intact.
In other words, the whereabouts of your Air Tags at different times and even the history of their locations aren’t stored on the Air Tags. Instead, all related information is recorded on your iOS device so that only you can view them at any given moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Buy Accessories to Attach My Apple Air Tag to My Belongings?
The answer to this question depends on the object you want to track. Some things, like a wallet or a purse, already contain pockets and compartments where you could keep your Air Tag and be sure it won’t fall off.
However, other items like your keys or even a pet that tends to hide in unusual places will require you to get special accessories to keep your Air Tag attached to them.
Do Apple Air Tags Need Charging?
No. Each Apple Air Tag is available with a CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery that can last about a year before it’ll need to be replaced. (Check this dedicated post, How long do AirTags battery last?)
Due to its relatively long life and ease of replacement, the battery in an Apple Air Tag won’t require you to charge it.
Do Apple Air Tags Require Wi-Fi?
No. There could be no Wi-Fi connectivity and the Air Tag will work because it uses Bluetooth to send its location to any nearby iOS devices.
Once an iOS device picks it up, it’ll easily show on the Find My network so you can go and grab it.
To Wrap It Up
The Apple Air Tag can surely be a great addition to your Apple accessories to let you locate any misplaced or even stolen items. With this Bluetooth-based technology, you can safely track your belongings using encrypted connections.
If you’ve been wondering, “Is there a monthly fee for Apple Air Tag?” I hope I was able to answer your question in great detail in this article. To sum it up, Air Tags don’t have a monthly subscription, so it’s a one-time purchase.
Still, you’ll need to keep in mind that an iOS device with iOS 14.5 or later is required for your Air Tags to work. Also, the batteries will need replacements every year, and you may want to shop for some accessories to attach the Air Tags to your items.
All those factors will increase the overall price.
