AirTag Helps Reunite Lost Dog with Its Owner: A Lesson in Battery Awareness

In a heartwarming story, a lost dog was reunited with its owner thanks to an Apple AirTag attached to its collar. However, this feel-good story also brings attention to the importance of keeping track of your AirTag’s battery life to avoid mishaps like this. The dog, after wandering off, ended up at the home of a tech writer who had spare batteries on hand. Despite the AirTag being out of power, a quick battery replacement allowed the device to work again, ultimately helping reunite the pet with its owner. But as convenient as this story sounds, it raises the question: How important is it to keep track of your AirTag’s battery?

The Lost Dog: A Heartwarming Story with a Twist

Kevin Purdy, a writer at Arstechnica, shared the experience of a lost dog turning up on his porch one evening. The dog appeared healthy, well-groomed, and friendly, yet it had no leash and seemed to be lost. It wore a collar with an AirTag securely attached. But when Purdy attempted to scan the AirTag, he was met with a dead device—its battery had run out.

Despite this setback, Purdy’s familiarity with AirTags and tech gadgets allowed him to quickly swap in a CR2032 coin battery—something many non-tech-savvy people might not have on hand. After replacing the battery, Purdy was able to see that the dog was indeed tagged with an AirTag, and its owner could soon be found. However, the dog’s owner hadn’t yet activated “Lost Mode” for the AirTag, meaning contact details were not available immediately. Still, the quick battery replacement meant that the dog could be located without delay.

Fortunately, the owner arrived soon after, and the dog was safely returned. This story highlights how useful AirTags can be, but also underscores an essential point: regularly check the battery life of your AirTag to ensure it functions when needed.

What Undercode Says:

Apple’s AirTag is undoubtedly a revolutionary product, allowing pet owners and individuals alike to track their valuable belongings with ease. However, this story serves as a gentle reminder that the technology is not foolproof, especially when it comes to battery life. AirTags rely on a replaceable CR2032 battery, which offers a significant advantage: it’s user-replaceable. However, it’s easy to forget about these little devices and the fact that their batteries can run out.

The situation with the lost dog would have been quite different if Purdy didn’t have spare CR2032 batteries lying around. For most non-technical users, this is a significant issue. A dead battery means no tracking, and if your AirTag isn’t working, you’re left without a way to locate your lost belongings. Apple could, in the future, consider adding features that would alert users when their AirTag is low on battery, similar to how the Find My app notifies users of low battery in AirPods or iPhones. This proactive approach would help prevent situations like this, where the AirTag becomes useless at a critical moment.

On the other hand, while some may suggest switching to a rechargeable battery for AirTags, Purdy advocates for keeping replaceable batteries in future models. He argues that, compared to a rechargeable model that would require a cable and charging, a simple battery replacement is more convenient for users in everyday scenarios. Most importantly, CR2032 batteries are widely available at convenience stores, making it easier for users to replace them without waiting for an order to arrive.

Apple should also consider enhancing the “Lost Mode” feature to allow users to activate it remotely, even if their AirTag’s battery is dead. While this might present technical challenges, it could make all the difference in helping locate lost pets and items in emergencies.

Fact Checker Results:

✅ The story is accurate: A lost dog was indeed reunited with its owner through the help of an AirTag.
✅ Battery life matters: AirTags run on CR2032 batteries, which are replaceable but must be monitored for longevity.
✅ The importance of timely battery replacement: AirTags are only effective as long as their batteries are functional.

Prediction:

In the future, AirTags may incorporate additional features that notify users when their battery is running low, making it easier to track battery status. Apple might also explore ways to improve the “Lost Mode” for AirTags, ensuring that owners can still access important information even when their tag’s battery has died. This would prevent the type of situation where users are left helpless in an emergency, improving both the effectiveness and user experience of AirTags.