In the last few weeks, I’ve heard from several contacts who had told me they were considering apple airtags as package or shipment trackers. I am not in favour.
I have heard of some minor success stories of customers using them to track small volumes of shipments is use cases such as field service maintenance, where shipments or spare parts are moving for only short periods such as 24 or 48 hours and within a country. An engineer is then able to find the shipment on a customer’s job site using the “find my” feature.
However, in short, i don’t recommend it as a B2B logistics visibility gadget, here’s why…..
- Bluetooth Range: Apple AirTags use Bluetooth technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, or Macs. The range of Bluetooth is typically limited to around 100 meters (330 feet) in optimal conditions. Therefore, for international package tracking, the AirTag would only be able to provide location updates when it is within range of a compatible Apple device.
- Network Connectivity: Unlike GPS trackers, AirTags do not have built-in cellular connectivity or GPS capabilities. This means that they rely on Bluetooth connections to nearby Apple devices for location updates. While this can work well in urban areas with a high concentration of Apple devices, it may not be as effective in remote or sparsely populated areas where there are fewer devices to connect to.
- International Coverage: If the package or shipment containing the AirTag travels internationally, it may encounter limitations in terms of Bluetooth connectivity due to distance, different regulatory standards, or lack of compatible devices in certain regions. Additionally, customs regulations and restrictions may vary from country to country, which could affect the ability to track the package effectively. Professional, realtime trackers have a simultaneous reception capability for GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, and QZSS open service L1 signals, ensuring dense coverage across multiple GNS satellite networks.
- Data Privacy and Legal Considerations: When tracking packages internationally using AirTags, it’s important to consider data privacy laws and regulations in each country. Some regions may have restrictions on the use of tracking devices or data collection practices, so it’s essential to ensure compliance with relevant laws and obtain any necessary permissions or consent.
- No API For Software Integrations: There is a plethora of ERP, TMS, WMS and custom built logistics platforms already being used by supply chain planners and logisticians to track items in transit so companies can optimise routes, streamline operations, and improve overall efficiency. Apple AirTags are primarily designed to work within the Apple ecosystem, particularly with the Find My app and associated services. While Apple has opened up the Find My network to third-party accessories, the extent to which AirTags themselves can be integrated into other software applications may be limited by Apple’s ecosystem and developer policies. Apple typically restricts direct access to hardware features like AirTags to ensure security and privacy. However, developers can utilise the Find My network’s capabilities through Apple’s APIs and SDKs to integrate location tracking features into their apps, provided they adhere to Apple’s guidelines and user privacy protections.
It’s important to assess these factors and consider alternative tracking solutions for international shipments if needed. Certainly, companies are now wanting to collect as much visibility data as possible …. airtags wont give you that.