User level: Level 1 (4 points)tracking family member.
I want to use my air tags to keep track of my husband. He has Parkinson’s with Dementia. He is not too bad yet but I’m trying to prepare for future as I will be primary care provider. There isn’t much said about tracking g people.
Posted on Nov 7, 2026 1:55 PM
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)Nov 7, 2026 2:22 PM in response to Kazoo34
I don’t envy you given your situation.
For several technical reasons, AirTags are simply not well suited to finding “moving objects” …
… they were designed to locate stationary items left behind.
They are not “continuously updating” meaning they might tell you where a moving AirTag WAS … not where it IS.
Plus they depend on other iPhones being fairly close by. (The iPhone is actually reporting it’s own position as the “AirTag’s position”)
This article seems fairly well balanced and covers other important considerations:
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)Nov 7, 2026 2:57 PM in response to Kazoo34
As mentioned in an earlier reply, AirTag is not a good choice for tracking people and pets.
An Apple Watch has better range, and Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities. Like many other options, Watch needs a daily re-charge. And Watch can be easily removed. And it’s more expensive.
There are a number of GPS trackers available, as well. Searching for mini GPS tracker or micro GPS tracker should find options. At least one of these GPS trackers has satellite capabilities, for areas with spotty or no cellular coverage. Most of these have low purchase prices, and make their profits from their ongoing subscriptions.
Some more technical reading from folks that built their own tracking system:
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256390470