In the latest beta of iOS 18.2, Apple upgraded the Find My app with support for sharing a link to the location of a lost AirTag or Find My network accessory.
Now, Apple has published a press release detailing the new feature – including partnerships that will see more than 15 airlines begin accepting Find My item location links.
The new feature allows you to generate a link in the Find My app for a lost AirTag or other Find My-enabled accessory. That link can then be shared with other people to help you locate the lost item. Using the link, people can view a website that shows the location of the item on an interactive map. The website updates automatically when a new location is available and shows timestamps for the most recent updates.
Apple says that it has teamed up with more than 15 airlines that will accept Find My location links to help locate “mishandled or delayed bags.” The system will allow airlines to “privately and securely accept Share Item Location” information:
In the coming months, more than 15 airlines serving millions of people globally — including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling — will begin accepting Find My item locations as part of their customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed bags. More airlines will be added over time.
Apple has worked directly with partner airlines to put systems in place to privately and securely accept Share Item Location, leveraging the hundreds of thousands of Apple devices many airlines are already using. Access to each link will be limited to a small number of people, and recipients will be required to authenticate in order to view the link through either their Apple Account or partner email address.
iOS 18.2 is currently available to developers and public beta testers. The update will be released to the general public in December.
More to come…
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