Apple’s AirTag makes it easy to keep tabs on everyday items like keys, bags and luggage using the Find My network. Setup is quick, requires no tools and takes just a minute or two as long as you have a compatible iPhone or iPad. Once paired, your AirTag quietly works in the background to help you locate misplaced belongings. This guide walks through how to set up an AirTag, how to name it so you can easily identify what it’s attached to and what to do if setup doesn’t go as planned.

What you need before setting up an AirTag

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• An iPhone or iPad signed in to your Apple Account

• Bluetooth enabled on that device

• Location Services enabled

• iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later (AirTag 2nd generation requires iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later)

• A stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection

You’ll also want to ensure iCloud Keychain is enabled and that your Apple Account setup is fully completed in Settings.

How to set up an AirTag using your iPhone or iPad

The easiest way to set up an AirTag is directly through the on-screen setup prompt.

1. Remove the plastic tab from your AirTag to activate the battery.

2. Hold the AirTag near your unlocked iPhone or iPad.

3. When the setup animation appears, tap Connect.

4. Choose a category for your AirTag, such as Keys, Backpack or Luggage. If you select Custom Name, you can type your own label and choose an emoji.

5. Tap Continue to link the AirTag to your Apple Account.

6. Tap Done to finish setup.

Once completed, the AirTag will appear under the Items tab in the Find My app. If you’re setting up multiple AirTags, make sure only one is near your device at a time. If more than one is detected, a notification will appear saying “More than one AirTag detected”. If this happens, move the others farther away and try again.

How to add an AirTag using the Find My app

If the setup animation doesn’t appear automatically, you can add an AirTag manually through Find My.

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap the Items tab.

3. Tap the Add button.

4. Select Add AirTag or Other Item (if you’re adding a compatible FindMy Network accessory).

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.

You can add up to 32 items in Find My, including AirTags, shared items and compatible accessories. If you’ve reached the limit, you’ll need to remove an item before adding a new one.

What to do if your AirTag won’t connect

If setup fails or the pairing animation disappears, try the following steps:

1. Lock your iPhone or iPad, unlock it again and wait about 15 seconds for the animation to reappear.

2. Make sure Bluetooth and Location Services are turned on in Settings.

3. Check that Find My has permission to use Precise Location.

4. Ensure you’re signed in to your Apple Account and iCloud Keychain is enabled.

5. Verify your device is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS (iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later).

If the AirTag still won’t connect, the battery may need replacing. AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, and swapping it only takes a minute. If issues persist after replacing the battery, you may need to reset the AirTag and try setup again.

How to name and label your AirTag

Naming your AirTag makes it much easier to identify when you’re tracking multiple items. During setup, Apple offers preset labels like Keys or Backpack, but you can customize these at any time.

To rename an AirTag after setup:

1. Open the Find My app.

2. Tap Items and select your AirTag.

3. Tap Add Name or Rename Item.

4. Choose a preset label or select Custom Name.

5. Optionally add an emoji for quick visual identification.

Clear labels are especially helpful if you use AirTags for travel, work gear or shared household items.

Engadget

Attaching your AirTag to everyday items

AirTags don’t have built-in clips or adhesive, so you’ll usually need an accessory to attach one securely. Depending on how you plan to use it, that could mean a key ring, luggage tag, wallet insert or bike mount.

If you’re unsure which style works best, Engadget has rounded up the best Apple AirTag accessories, covering options for keys, bags, wallets and more. Choosing the right accessory helps ensure your AirTag stays attached and works the way you expect.

Wrap-up

After setup, your AirTag will automatically update its location using Apple’s Find My network. You can view its last known location, play a sound to help locate it nearby or use Precision Finding on supported iPhones to guide you directly to it. With just a few minutes of setup and a clear label, an AirTag can become a reliable way to keep track of important belongings, whether you’re at home or on the move.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/how-to-set-up-an-airtag-120000789.html?src=rss

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Proton VPN is running a solid deal right now, dropping its two-year Proton VPN Plus plan to $2.99 per month. That works out to $72 billed upfront for the first 24 months, which represents a 70 percent discount compared to its regular pricing. 

We’ve rated Proton VPN highly thanks to its strong privacy credentials, transparent nonprofit backing and consistently fast performance. It’s one of the services we recommend in our guide to the best VPNs, and this deal also shows up alongside other standout offers in our ongoing roundup of the best VPN deals. It’s a good option if you’re looking to lock in long-term protection at a lower monthly cost.

In our Proton VPN review, the service impressed us with consistently fast performance and strong privacy protections. We measured average download speeds at 88 percent of our unprotected connection and upload speeds at 98 percent, which is more than enough for 4K streaming, gaming and torrenting. It also unblocked Netflix in every region we tested, and while its Mac and iOS apps aren’t quite as polished as the Windows and Android versions, the service is still easy to install and largely set-it-and-forget-it across platforms. We gave Proton VPN a score of 90 out of 100.

Proton VPN Plus is the company’s premium tier and includes access to its full server network, which now spans more than 15,000 servers across 120-plus countries. A single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once and unlocks features like NetShield ad and malware blocking, Secure Core “double hop” connections, split tunneling, custom DNS controls and priority customer support. Proton VPN Plus also supports fast P2P traffic on nearly all paid servers and includes VPN Accelerator, which helps maintain high speeds over long-distance connections.

Right now, Proton VPN Plus is discounted to $2.99 per month when you commit to two years, billed as $72 upfront for the first 24 months. After that, the plan renews annually at $83.88. That’s a 70 percent discount compared to the standard monthly rate. As with Proton’s other paid plans, the subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free if you’re not ready to lock in long term.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/proton-vpn-two-year-subscriptions-are-70-percent-off-right-now-123000972.html?src=rss

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