How to use AirTag to track an elderly parent? A definitive caregiver's guide

Oct 17, 2025 5 min read •

senior care Technology Safety

According to the Alzheimer's Association, six in ten people with dementia will wander at least once, creating a stressful and dangerous situation for families. When a loved one's safety is paramount, many caregivers research how to use AirTag to track an elderly parent as a potential solution.

Quick Summary

Using an AirTag for monitoring an elderly parent involves obtaining consent and sharing the device via Apple's Find My network on iOS 17 or later; however, its reliance on nearby Apple devices means it is not a real-time GPS tracker and has significant limitations compared to specialized senior tracking solutions.

Key Points

Obtain Consent First: Always discuss using an AirTag with your elderly parent and get their explicit, clear consent to protect their privacy and dignity.
Understand AirTag Limitations: AirTags are not true real-time GPS trackers; their location updates passively via nearby Apple devices, which can be unreliable in sparsely populated areas.
Utilize the Sharing Feature: Use the AirTag sharing feature available with iOS 17 or later to prevent anti-stalking alerts and ensure a legitimate, consented tracking experience.
Consider Alternatives for Robust Tracking: For seniors with dementia or a higher risk of wandering, dedicated GPS trackers or medical alert systems offer more reliable, real-time monitoring and emergency features.
Secure the AirTag Reliably: To ensure consistent tracking, use a secure accessory to attach the AirTag to an item your parent always carries, such as a wallet or a bag.
Balance Safety with Autonomy: Use tracking technology as a supportive tool for safety, not for constant surveillance, to maintain trust and respect for your parent's independence.

Understanding the Fundamentals: How an AirTag Works

An Apple AirTag is a small, disc-shaped device designed to help you find lost items like keys or wallets. It uses the vast, anonymous, and encrypted Find My network—a system of hundreds of millions of Apple devices worldwide. When an AirTag is nearby, a device in the network detects its secure Bluetooth signal and anonymously relays its location to iCloud. You can then view the AirTag's location in the Find My app on your own Apple device. This process is passive and does not rely on a cellular signal or a built-in GPS chip in the AirTag itself.

While this system is ingenious for finding inanimate objects, it presents specific considerations and limitations when used to monitor a person. Its functionality is not comparable to a dedicated GPS tracker with its own cellular service, which can provide true real-time location updates regardless of proximity to other devices.

Step-by-Step Setup: Sharing an AirTag with iOS 17+

Apple has implemented anti-stalking features to prevent the misuse of AirTags for unauthorized tracking. For legitimate, consented use, such as monitoring a vulnerable loved one, Apple introduced the ability to share an AirTag with multiple accounts with iOS 17.

Before you begin

Obtain consent: Always have an open and honest conversation with your parent about why you want to use the tracker. Discussing it ensures their dignity and autonomy are respected. Use the AirTag only with their full agreement.
Check compatibility: Ensure both your and your parent's iPhones are running iOS 17 or a later version to access the sharing feature.
Secure attachment: Consider how the AirTag will be reliably attached. A keyring clip for a wallet or a specialized holder for a bag are better than placing it loosely in a pocket.

The sharing process

Pair the AirTag: Pull the tab to activate the AirTag and hold it near your iPhone. Follow the on-screen prompts to pair it and assign it a name, such as "Dad's Wallet."
Open the Find My app: Go to the "Items" tab and tap on the name of the AirTag you just set up.
Initiate sharing: Scroll down and tap "Add Person." Select the contact you wish to share the AirTag with.
Confirm the share: Your parent will receive a notification on their iPhone to accept the shared AirTag. Once they accept, they will no longer receive anti-stalking alerts related to that specific tag.

Tracking the location

After setup, you can check the AirTag's location anytime by opening the Find My app, navigating to the "Items" tab, and selecting the AirTag's name. The map will show its last known location and, if you are close enough with a newer iPhone model, you can use Precision Finding to locate it more accurately.

Important Considerations: Ethics and Privacy

Using a tracking device on a family member, even with good intentions, brings up serious ethical and privacy issues. The key is to prioritize your loved one's autonomy and dignity. Tracking without consent is a significant invasion of privacy and can lead to a breakdown of trust. It is also illegal in many jurisdictions. By using the official sharing feature in iOS 17, you are operating within the intended ethical framework provided by Apple.

AirTag Limitations for Senior Monitoring

Despite the clear setup process, AirTags have several limitations that make them less than ideal for robust senior monitoring:

Not real-time GPS: Unlike cellular GPS trackers, an AirTag's location is only updated when it passes near another active Apple device. In rural areas or places with low pedestrian traffic, location data can be outdated or non-existent.
Dependent on the AirTag staying put: The reliability of tracking an elderly parent is entirely dependent on the AirTag remaining with them. If it falls off a keychain or is left at home, its purpose is defeated.
No geofencing alerts: AirTags do not have a feature that alerts a caregiver when a person has entered or exited a pre-defined safe zone. Dedicated senior tracking devices offer this critical functionality.
Lack of emergency features: An AirTag does not have an SOS button, two-way communication, or fall detection. These are standard features in many products designed specifically for senior safety.

Alternatives to an AirTag for Senior Tracking

For families needing more reliable, feature-rich monitoring, several alternatives are designed specifically for senior safety:

Dedicated GPS wearables: Watches, pendants, or clip-on devices with built-in cellular GPS provide real-time location tracking and are independent of the Find My network. They often include SOS buttons and automatic fall detection.
Medical alert systems with GPS: Many modern medical alert devices combine GPS tracking with emergency monitoring services, offering the best of both worlds for proactive safety.
Smartphone apps: Family location sharing apps like Life360 can provide geofencing alerts and real-time location updates, assuming the senior always carries their phone and has it charged.

Comparison: AirTag vs. Dedicated GPS Tracker


Feature	Apple AirTag	Dedicated GPS Tracker
Tracking Method	Bluetooth & Find My network	Cellular GPS, Wi-Fi
Location Updates	Passive, relies on nearby Apple devices	Active, real-time
Range	Limited by proximity to other Apple devices	Unlimited (where cellular signal available)
Geofencing	Not available	Typically standard feature
Emergency Features	None	SOS button, fall detection
Cost	Low initial cost, no subscription	Higher initial cost, requires monthly subscription
Ethical Concerns	Less robust consent, privacy concerns	Explicit consent and clear purpose

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Family

While an AirTag can be a low-cost and subtle option for tracking a wandering or vulnerable elderly parent, it is not a substitute for a dedicated senior safety device. The lack of real-time tracking, geofencing, and emergency features means it should not be solely relied upon in high-risk situations. For families prioritizing a more robust monitoring solution, exploring purpose-built GPS trackers is highly recommended. Regardless of the technology you choose, securing explicit consent and maintaining open communication are paramount to protecting both your loved one's safety and their dignity.

For more information on setting up and sharing an AirTag, visit the Apple Support page on adding an item to Find My. Apple Support: Add an AirTag

Frequently Asked Questions

Legality varies by jurisdiction, but tracking someone without their knowledge or consent is illegal in many places and a severe invasion of privacy. Always get your parent's explicit consent before using an AirTag to monitor their location.

An AirTag can still be used, but the initial setup and management must be done via your iPhone. As long as your parent is within the Find My network, their location will be updated anonymously. However, they will not receive anti-stalking alerts, increasing the responsibility on you to use the device ethically.

The accuracy depends on proximity to other Apple devices. In crowded urban areas, it can be very precise. In remote or rural areas with few Apple users, updates will be much less frequent and less accurate. It should not be considered a reliable, real-time tracking device.

No, an AirTag does not have a geofencing feature that sends alerts when a device enters or leaves a specific location. You must manually check the Find My app to see their last known location.

AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts for about one year with regular use. The Find My app will notify you when the battery needs replacing.

More robust alternatives include dedicated cellular GPS trackers (wearable or pocket-sized), medical alert systems with built-in GPS, and family-sharing smartphone apps like Life360. These options often provide real-time tracking and emergency features.

If the AirTag is lost with the item, you can use the Find My app to locate it and play a sound to help find it. The effectiveness depends on the battery life and network coverage at the lost location.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.