MagTag® FAQ
What is a MagTag®?
MagTag® is a small, efficient tracking device designed to protect your valuable items. Hide it in vehicles, trailers, boats, motorbikes, caravans, luggage, equipment or any other asset discreetly. It works with Apple's "Find My" app to provide the devices location.
Where Is MagTag® UK based?
MagTag® works globally with Apple’s Find My network — and now we’ve established a physical presence in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States — the world’s largest markets for iPhone users.
If you’re ordering from within the UK, your order will ship from London.
Where are MagTag® products made?
While we would love to manufacture our products in the UK, it's simply not possible. Currently, no local facilities have the capabilities required to produce devices of this complexity. China leads the world in the manufacturing of this type of technology—as it does with most electronic components—enabling us to deliver a high-quality product under Apple’s MFI (Made for iPhone) certification program.
Is MagTag® compatible with my phone?
MagTag® is designed to work exclusively with Apple devices through the Apple Find My network. To use MagTag®, your device must be:
An iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS/iPadOS 14.5 or later
Connected to an Apple ID with Find My enabled
Using Bluetooth and Location Services for tracking functionality
🔹 Not compatible with Android devices.
🔹 Find My app is free and pre-installed on all Apple devices.
🔹 iPhone required for activation and setup.
Are MagTags® Apple Approved?
Yes. MagTag® location devices are certified under Apple’s MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) program, ensuring full compatibility with Apple devices. Being MFi-certified means the accessory has undergone rigorous testing to meet Apple’s strict standards for quality, safety, and performance, including evaluations for compatibility, durability, and functionality. MFi-certified products may also contain a chip that signals to your Apple device that it is an authorized accessory, ensuring seamless connection and reliable performance.
How does MagTag® work?
MagTag® uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with nearby Apple devices. When a device detects the MagTag®, it relays the location through Apple's global "Find My" network, allowing you to see the location on your Apple device anywhere in the world.
Your iPhone isn’t what tracks the MagTag®. Instead, the location is “pinged” by any other nearby iPhone that comes within Bluetooth range. That location is then anonymously uploaded to Apple’s Find My network and securely relayed to your iPhone—allowing you to see it from anywhere in the world.
There are some limitations to be aware of:
- Device Proximity: The speed of location updates is influenced by the number of nearby Apple devices. In areas with many Apple devices, like a shopping mall, location updates will be frequent.
- Sparse Areas: In less populated areas, updates may be less frequent. For example, if your trailer is stolen and travels through remote areas, updates will rely on passing Apple devices, such as those in vehicles at traffic lights or stop signs.
- Network Service: The efficiency of location relays also depends on network service quality in the area.
- MagTag® Location: Ensure your MagTag® can transmit its signal effectively. If it is heavily concealed or obstructed by metal objects, this will significantly limit its transmission range.
By understanding these limitations, you can better appreciate how MagTag® functions and plan its use effectively to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability.
How Often Are Location Updates?
When an MagTag® comes within range of any Apple device connected to the network, it transmits its location data, which is then updated in the "Find My" app on your device.
The frequency of these updates depends on several factors:
- Proximity to Apple Devices: The more frequently your MagTag® encounters Apple devices, the more often it will update its location. In densely populated areas with many Apple devices, updates can occur frequently, around every 15 minutes.
- Network Service: The efficiency of location relays also depends on network service quality in the area.
- Location of the MagTag®: In less populated areas or locations with fewer Apple devices, updates may be less frequent. If your MagTag® is in a remote area or is not within range of any Apple devices, the location update could be delayed until another device comes within range.
- User Activity: If you are actively tracking an item using the "Find My" app, the app will attempt to update the location as often as possible by pinging nearby Apple devices.
Does MagTag® track in real time?
MagTag® does not provide continuous real-time tracking like a GPS device. Instead, it uses Apple’s Find My network to update the location when another iPhone comes within Bluetooth range of the tag.
This means the location is updated periodically, based on nearby devices — making it ideal for recovering lost or stolen items over time, rather than live tracking movement. It’s perfect for long-range asset protection, not turn-by-turn location updates.
Does MagTag® Require a SIM Card?
Unlike GPS trackers, MagTag® does not require a SIM card. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices. The location information is then relayed through Apple's "Find My" network, allowing you to track your assets without the need for a SIM card or any additional cellular data plans.
How does MagTag® track pets?
While your dog is at home, especially in a large backyard, it's unlikely that your MagTag® will connect to any nearby Apple devices, simply because there aren't enough within Bluetooth range. This means you won’t see frequent location updates in the app while your dog remains on your property.
However, if your dog escapes or leaves your premises, this is when MagTag® truly comes into play. As your dog roams through streets or public areas, they will pass by more Apple devices, allowing the MagTag® to send frequent location updates through the network. This helps you track and locate your dog quickly once they’re lost and on the move.
Does MagTag® notify a thieves iPhone that they are being tracked?
MagTag® introduces a delayed notification system. For example, if your trailer was stolen overnight, the thief wouldn’t be alerted to the tracking right away, typically giving you about a day to coordinate with law enforcement for recovery without the thief knowing. MagTag® is primarily designed for tracking and recovering stolen assets. However, regular iPhone users in the vicinity will eventually receive a notification as part of Apple’s anti-stalking features.
If you’ve previously been in close proximity to someone—such as a friend, family member, or anyone you've spent time near—and then place a MagTag® with them and attempt to track it, their Apple device may notify them quickly. This is a privacy safeguard built into Apple’s system to protect individuals from unwanted tracking.
The delayed notification feature refers to situations where the MagTag® ends up with someone who has not previously been near your device—like a thief. In those cases, the alert is significantly delayed, often 8 to 24 hours, giving you valuable time to locate and recover your asset before the person becomes aware they are being tracked.
Is MagTag® compatible with Android devices?
No, MagTag® is currently only compatible with Apple devices using the "Find My" app.
Are MagTag® devices waterproof?
Yes, MagTag® V2.5 is waterproof and submersible for up to 30cm for 1 hour.
Are MagTags® compatible with AirTag cases? Yes, the majority are. Airtags also fit all MagTag® accessory cases.
How do I set up my MagTag®?
Setting up MagTag® is simple. Activate the device and pair it with your Apple account using the "Find My" app. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup in just a few minutes.
Where can I attach the MagTag®?
When finding an appropriate location to mount, place, or hide your MagTag®, ensure it can still transmit its signal effectively. If it is heavily concealed and restricted, this will limit its transmission range. Placing the MagTag® in items like a child’s backpack or your laptop case will not affect its signal.
Mounting the MagTag® inside a tractor for example would significantly affect its transmission range. In this example an external roof mount would be recommended. For optimal performance, ensure that the MagTag® is not placed in areas where its signal could be obstructed by heavy materials or metal components.
How many MagTag's can I track?
You can add up to 16 MagTags to the app per phone or Apple account. You can not add a MagTag® to more than one iPhone/iPad at a time. You must remove for one iPhone before adding to a new iPhone.
Can I share a MagTag® with another person's iPhone?
Yes, you can. Simply use the share function within the app. This feature is particularly useful for situations like parents keeping an eye on their child’s location.
What should I do if my item is stolen?
If your item is stolen, use the "Find My" app to locate your MagTag®. For your safety, always contact the police before attempting to recover stolen items.
How long does the battery last?
MagTags are preinstalled with a quality CR2032 Maxell Lithium Button Battery. Your MagTag® stays inactive until you pull the activation tab — giving it up to 5 years of shelf life, and 12 months of use once activated.
To maintain uninterrupted and reliable tracking, it's important to regularly monitor the battery level through the Find My app and replace the battery promptly when the charge is low.
It's also important to note that battery life is significantly influenced by the MagTag®’s location and how frequently it connects with nearby iPhones.
For instance:
A MagTag® placed in a child's backpack may experience a reduced battery lifespan of just a couple of months due to continuous connections with numerous nearby iPhones throughout the day. Conversely, a MagTag® used to track equipment or machinery in a remote area, such as a farm, may exceed a full year of battery life. This longer duration occurs because it rarely encounters nearby iPhones until the asset is relocated or brought back into populated areas.
Considering these factors and choosing a high-quality battery ensures you get the most consistent and reliable performance from your MagTag® device.
Does the MagTag® battery cover comply with Safety Standards?
Yes! MagTag® features a secure battery cover designed specifically for enhanced safety and compliance. The battery compartment complies fully with international safety standards, ensuring that batteries remain safely out of reach from young children, significantly reducing the risk of accidental swallowing or misuse.
While the battery cover may feel firm to open initially, this intentional design ensures that MagTag® remains safe and secure at all times. To safely replace your battery please follow the Setup Information provided.
Do MagTags® have a sound function?
Yes. You can activate the sound function within the Find My app. However, unlike Apple AirTags, which have a much louder audio alert designed for finding small items like car keys around your home, MagTag® is built specifically for tracking lost or stolen assets.
The audio feature on MagTag® is not intended for close-range locating but rather for identifying a specific device when you have multiple in use. Its primary function is to provide discreet and reliable tracking, making it ideal for securing valuables, vehicles, and equipment.
Do MagTags® have close-range precision tracking like Apple AirTags?
No. MagTags® do not feature the close-range, precision locating function (like finding misplaced keys around your home). MagTags® are specifically designed for tracking larger assets or recovering stolen items, leveraging a delayed notification system that helps prevent thieves from quickly detecting them. MagTags® do have an audio function, however, to help identify your specific device when multiple tags are in use.
Are there any subscription fees or additional costs?
No, MagTag® does not require any subscription fees. Once you purchase the device, you can use it with Apple's "Find My" app without any additional costs.
What is your warranty policy?
Your purchase is protected by our 2-year replacement warranty. If your MagTag® fails, we will replace the device and cover the return shipping costs. If you return your device under warranty and no fault is evident, you will be responsible for the return shipping cost. We do not accept returns for change of mind or device incompatibility.