Where's the Best Place to Put an AirTag in Your Luggage?

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

[table-of-contents] stripped

When you're running from one airport terminal to another trying to make your flight connection, the last thing you want to be worried about is whether your checked suitcase is hustling to the departure gate as fast as you are. While most airlines will give you a tracking number for your bag, stashing a GPS-enabled device like an AirTag in your luggage will give you extra assurance, even before takeoff, that your bags made it on board (or, as is sometimes the case, confirmation that it's sadly stuck in a different city).

Where to put an AirTag in your luggage, though? There's one location that has a slight edge over others, and we'll explain why it's the best in our guide. But wherever you decide to place it, make sure that you've first connected the AirTag to your iPhone so you can look up its whereabouts after you part ways with your bag. Here's how to set it up and where to put an AirTag in your luggage.

How to Connect an AirTag to Your iPhone

1. Turn on your iPhone's Bluetooth and Find My settings, and make sure it's connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi.

2. Remove the protective film and battery tag from your AirTag, if it's a brand-new device. The AirTag will make a chime sound, indicating that it's ready to pair. If it's an older device, you will need to reset your AirTag.

3. Set your AirTag next to your iPhone. You should see a pop-up on your iPhone screen to pair the AirTag. Tap "Connect" on this prompt.

4. Select a location name for your AirTag from the available list and tap "Continue."

5. Tap "Continue" again to confirm that you'd like to register the AirTag to your Apple ID.

At this point, you should store your AirTag in your luggage or attach it to the item you plan to track.

To ensure connectivity, open the Find My app on your iPhone, tap "Items," and select the AirTag you've just set up and named. Here, you should see a map showing where the device currently is, along with the time and place of its last known location. You can select "Play Sound" if the device is nearby but you can't find it — the AirTag will emit a loud ringing sound.

Where to Put an AirTag in Your Luggage

The best place to put an AirTag in your luggage is inside your suitcase, ideally attached to an interior zipper with an AirTag keyring. The next-best place would be inside a discreet zippered compartment.

By securing the AirTag inside the bag, you are helping ensure it stays attached, even if your suitcase is opened by security and the contents are shuffled around. If the AirTag is rolling around loose in your bag, the small item could slip out and get lost.

For those concerned about theft while traveling, make sure not to stash any valuables — including your AirTag — in your suitcase's outer pockets. Also, attaching an AirTag keyring to the outside of your suitcase like a luggage tag isn't exactly a theft deterrent, either, as these keychains can (usually) be easily removed.

When you arrive at your destination, you can open the Find My app to check where your luggage is. If the bag is still at the previous airport, cross-verify using the tracking number that the airline has provided. When you get assistance at baggage claim, presenting the airline-issued tracking number will be more helpful to the airport staff than your AirTag's GPS information, unless there is a discrepancy between the two locations.

If your suitcase is lost and the AirTag's coordinates suggest that your bag has been stolen, alert local authorities instead of trying to track the bag on your own to avoid a dangerous situation.

Leather Keychain

Pelican Protector

Upgraded Link & Lock for Apple AirTag

AirTag Leather Key Ring

You Might Also Like

• The Paris Hilton Housewares Collection Brings ‘That’s Hot’ Energy to Your Kitchen

• 16 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Perfect for Rocking Out in Quiet Bliss

• Beyoncé Uses This $26 Amazon Product for Her Glossy Blonde Hair