Apple ’s new AirTags make use of the crowdsourced Find My web that Apple build from your devices : iPhones , iPads , and Macs with cyberspace connections find fault up specially formulated anonymized Bluetooth electronic web broadcast , package them with the current location , and send an encrypted material body to Apple .

An iPhone , iPad , Mac , or Apple Watch with Find My connection enable can be tracked this fashion from a native Find My app ( in iOS , iPadOS , or macOS ) , while AirTags and upcoming Find My connection accessories from third parties are always available for tracking .

Only an iPhone , iPad , or Mac can relay these beacons with their localization , and that feature is opt - out : Apple enables it for raw devices and it ’s turned on when you updated to iOS / iPadOS 13 or 14 or macOS 10.15 Catalina or 11 Big Sur . The permutation to turn off the observe My web on your twist is a picayune hidden , and its name has vary in some places : it was call “ offline determination ” in macOS .

Article image

When your gimmick has Find My internet enable , it relay any signaling it picks up from other equipment if it has an fighting Internet association . But it also broadcasts that anonymized Bluetooth message whenever it ’s not plug into to the net . When you disable Find My web , both trailing and relaying is turned off .

Here ’s where you go to disable Find My internet ,

iOS / iPadOS 13 or afterwards : Go toSettings > account statement name > rule My > Find My iPhone / iPadand disable Find My web .

Find My settings iPhone

iOS and iPadOS allow you flip a nested permutation to prefer out of the regain My meshwork .

orchard apple tree

macOS 10.15 or afterward : open up the Apple ID preference pane , selectiCloud , and come home theOptionsbutton to the right of the Find My overhaul entry . ClickTurn Offnext to Find My electronic connection .

Find my settings Mac

In determine My druthers , you may work off the Find My web in macOS .

Ask Mac 911

We ’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most ofttimes along with resolution and link to columns :   read our super FAQ   to see if your question is cover . If not , we ’re always looking for young problem to resolve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.comincluding screen seizure as appropriate , and whether you want your full name used . Not every doubt will be answered , we do n’t reply to electronic mail , and we can not provide lineal troubleshooting advice .