Apple AirTag Link Sharing: How to Share an Item

Apple AirTag link sharing lets you share a tracking link for a lost AirTag (or other Find My item) with anyone, even if they don’t have an iPhone or a Find My account. You generate the link in the Find My app, and the person who opens it sees the item’s location on a map in their web browser. This is different from the “Peopleâ€� sharing feature, which gives trusted contacts ongoing access to an item’s location; link sharing is a temporary, one-time way to help a stranger or a friend find your lost item.

What Is AirTag Link Sharing?

AirTag link sharing is a feature in Apple’s Find My app that creates a temporary web page showing the live location of a specific AirTag or Find My network accessory. You can share this link via Messages, Mail, or any other app that supports the share sheet. The link works on any device with a web browser—iPhone, Android, Windows PC, or Mac—so you can send it to someone who doesn’t use Apple products. The link automatically expires after a set time (usually 24 hours) or when you stop sharing it, and it shows only the location of that one item, not your other devices.

This feature is especially useful when you’ve lost your keys or luggage and a kind stranger finds them. Instead of exchanging phone numbers or trying to coordinate, you can send them a link that shows your item’s location on a map, so they can drop it off or you can pick it up.

How to Share an AirTag Link (Step by Step)

Sharing a link takes less than a minute. Here’s the exact process on an iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the AirTag or item you want to share from the list.
4. Swipe up on the item’s card to reveal more options, or tap the Share button (the icon with an arrow coming out of a box).
5. Tap Share Link (or “Share Item Location� on some versions).
6. Choose how you want to send the link—Messages, Mail, WhatsApp, etc.—and send it.

That’s it. The recipient taps the link and sees a map with the item’s location. They don’t need to install any app or sign in to anything. The link will show the item’s location for as long as you keep sharing it, up to 24 hours. You can stop sharing at any time by going back to the item’s card and tapping Stop Sharing.

What the Recipient Sees

When someone opens your shared link, they see a web page with a map showing the item’s approximate location. The page also displays the item’s name (if you’ve given it one, like “Keys� or “Backpack�) and a timestamp of when the location was last updated. The recipient can zoom in and out on the map, but they cannot see your name, phone number, or any other personal information. They also cannot see the item’s location history—only the current location at the moment they load the page.

If the item is moving (for example, in a car), the map updates in near real-time, so the recipient can track it live. This is handy if you’ve left your bag in a taxi and the driver is still driving around. The link stops updating after 24 hours, or when you manually stop sharing.

Link Sharing vs. People Sharing

Apple offers two distinct ways to share an AirTag’s location, and people often confuse them. Here’s the difference:

• Link Sharing – Temporary, one-time web link that anyone can open. No Apple ID required. Expires after 24 hours or when you stop sharing. Best for helping a stranger return your item.
• People Sharing – Adds a trusted contact (like a family member) to the item’s “Peopleâ€� list. They see the item in their own Find My app, and they can play a sound or see its location anytime. This is permanent until you remove them. Best for family members or close friends who regularly need to find your keys or luggage.

To use People Sharing, go to the item’s card in Find My, tap Share > Share With People, and enter the person’s Apple ID email or phone number. They’ll need to accept the invitation. People sharing requires both parties to have iCloud accounts and Find My enabled.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Link sharing is straightforward, but a few issues can pop up:

• “Share Linkâ€� is grayed out – This usually means the AirTag isn’t with you (it’s out of Bluetooth range) or your device isn’t updated to iOS 17. Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 17 or later, and that the AirTag is connected to your device.
• The link doesn’t work for the recipient – Check that you haven’t stopped sharing, and that the 24-hour window hasn’t passed. Also, the recipient needs a stable internet connection to load the map.
• The location is inaccurate – AirTag location is based on the Find My network, which uses nearby Apple devices. In rural areas with few Apple devices, the location may be off by several hundred feet. The map will show a circle indicating the approximate area.
• You can’t share a link for an item that’s not yours – If the AirTag is in Lost Mode and you’re not the owner, you can’t share it. Only the owner can share links.

If you’re having trouble, restart the Find My app, make sure Location Services is on for Find My, and check that your device has a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

Privacy and Safety Concerns

Link sharing is designed with privacy in mind. The link doesn’t reveal your identity, and it expires quickly. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t share links publicly – If you post a link on social media, anyone could see your item’s location. Only send it to someone you trust to help you.
• The link shows your item’s location – If the item is at your home, the link reveals your home address. That’s fine if you’re sharing with a friend, but be cautious about sharing with strangers.
• Apple can’t see the location – Apple doesn’t have access to your AirTag’s location data. The Find My network is end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the people you share with can see it.

If you’re worried about stalking, Apple has built-in alerts that notify you if an unknown AirTag is traveling with you. Link sharing doesn’t change that—it only works for the owner.

Alternatives to Link Sharing

If you don’t have an iPhone, or if link sharing isn’t working, there are other ways to share your AirTag’s location:

• People Sharing – As described above, this gives a trusted contact ongoing access through their own Find My app.
• Lost Mode – You can put the AirTag in Lost Mode, which lets anyone who finds it tap it with their phone to see a message you’ve written (like “Call meâ€�). This doesn’t show the location, but it helps the finder contact you.
• Third-party apps – Some apps (like Tile) offer similar tracking, but they aren’t compatible with AirTags. For AirTags, you’re limited to Apple’s Find My app.

If you’re using an Android phone, you can’t create AirTag links, but you can still open links that others share with you. There’s also an official Android app called “Tracker Detect� that lets you scan for AirTags near you, but it doesn’t support sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share an AirTag link with an Android user?

Yes. The link opens in any web browser, so Android users can see the location without installing anything. They just tap the link and the map loads in Chrome or their default browser.

How long does an AirTag link stay active?

By default, the link expires after 24 hours. You can stop sharing manually at any time by going to the item’s card in Find My and tapping “Stop Sharing.� After 24 hours, the link automatically becomes inactive and shows an error message.

Does the person I share with need an Apple ID?

No. Link sharing doesn’t require the recipient to have an Apple ID or even an Apple device. They just need a web browser and an internet connection. People Sharing, on the other hand, requires both parties to have Apple IDs.

Can I share a link for someone else’s AirTag?

No. Only the owner of the AirTag can share its location. If you’ve found an AirTag, you can’t share its location with anyone. You can, however, use Lost Mode to see a message from the owner if they’ve enabled it.

What if I lose my AirTag and don’t have my phone?

You can’t share a link without your phone, but you can use iCloud.com/find on any computer to see your item’s location and share a link from there. Log in with your Apple ID, go to Items, select the AirTag, and click “Share Link.�

Does link sharing work internationally?

Yes, as long as both you and the recipient have internet access. The Find My network works worldwide, so the location will show on the map regardless of country. The link itself is just a URL, so it works anywhere.

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