Apple’s latest Find My update makes it easier to find lost items

If you have an iPhone that can run iOS 18, you can now download and install the public beta of iOS 18.2. One of the most useful new features is the capability to share the location of a lost item connected to Apple’s Find My network with a third party. You can already share an item’s location with people in your contacts list, but Apple says this could help in instances wherein you have to rely on the help of a stranger.

When you choose “Share Item Location” in the Find My app on iPhone, iPad or Mac, you’ll get the option to share a link that shows the location of your missing item. The link’s recipient will be able to open it on any device, and they’ll also be able to see your Apple account email and/or phone number so that they can get in touch with you. You’ll be able to see how many people visited the link, which expires after you’re reunited with your lost belonging or after a week if you haven’t found it by then.

Along with benevolent strangers, you’ll be able to share the locations of misplaced AirTags and Find My accessories with select airlines. Apple has worked with several of them to integrate this feature into their systems. Only a small number of airline staff can access each Share Item Location link, and Apple says they’ll first need to authenticate themselves with an Apple Account or partner email address.

More than 15 airlines will start supporting this feature in the coming months, including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Apple says that more airlines will get involved over time to help track down mishandled or delayed bags.

Air transport tech company SITA is also incorporating Share Item Location into WorldTracer, its baggage-tracing system. According to Apple, this is used by more than 500 airlines and ground handlers at more than 2,800 airports.

Of course, installing beta software does have its downsides. There’s a higher chance of running into bugs, and some apps or features might still not work as Apple had intended. If you don’t mind and want to test iOS 18.2, you’ll have to enable Beta Updates under Software Updates in your device’s Settings menu. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 18.2 proper in December.

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Update, November 5 2024, 9:10AM ET: This story has been updated to clarify that these new features are in the developer beta of iOS 18.2. The public beta for that software isn’t available just yet.

Update, November 11, 2024, 3:12PM ET: This story has been updated to include details of the airline integration and to note that a public beta of iOS 18.2 is now available.