Apple Find My will let you share your lost item's location with others and airlines

Apple's Find My app, which is already a lifeline for retrieving missing iPhones and AirPods, has received a significant improvement. The latest iOS 18.2 update includes communicate Item Location, a function that allows users to communicate the location of lost things with third parties, including airlines.

Previously, the Find My app could only help customers find their Apple devices and other possessions within the Apple ecosystem. This meant that lost items could only be tracked using Apple devices. However, with the most recent version, users can create a link that allows anyone with an internet connection to view the item's position.

To use this function, launch the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then select the missing item and press "Share Item Location." This provides a unique link that can be sent via text message, email, or any other chosen means. When the recipient hits the link, they will see a map with the item's position and approximate range. Notably, the recipient does not require an Apple device or the Find My app to obtain this information.

Apple's new feature prioritises privacy and security. The entire procedure is end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that only authorised users may access the location data. Users have complete control over who can see the location and how long. The link will expire after seven days, but you can manually stop sharing the location at any moment.

In addition, more than 15 airlines, including Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Air Canada, and Aer Lingus, will begin accepting Find My Item locations as part of their customer support process for locating mishandled or delayed bags. More airlines are likely to join this project in the future.

This feature is now available in the iOS 18.2 public beta and is scheduled to be released soon as a free software upgrade for iPhone Xs and later.