How to Fix AirTag Precision Finding Not Working on iPhone

Trying to fix AirTag Precision Finding not working issue on your Apple device?

Precision Finding is arguably the best feature of AirTag. It gives you specific directional cues to pinpoint the location of a nearby AirTag. You no longer have to turn your house upside down just to find your keys or wallet. Unfortunately, the feature isn’t flawless.

There could be different reasons Precision Finding doesn’t work as intended. It could be because your iPhone doesn’t have the U1 chip needed to make this feature work. Network-related issues could be the culprit. Or maybe, the Airtag isn’t close enough. 

For each possible reason, we have a potential fix. In this article, we list down several solutions that can help you. Here’s how to fix AirTag Precision Finding not working issue on your iPhone. 

Let’s get started! 

1. Make Sure Your Device Is Compatible. 

Sure, you can easily pair iPhones and iPads with AirTag. But not all these devices have the Apple U1 chip necessary to activate Precision Finding. iPads, in particular, don’t have U1 chips. Sadly, older iPhone models aren’t equipped with U1 chips, as well.

AirTags are packed with U1 chips to use the ultra-wideband technology. It enables a device to accurately determine the distance and location of a tagged item within the range. So, your iPhone needs to have the same U1 chip for precise communication.

Here’s the list of iPhone models equipped with the crucial U1 chip:

• iPhone 12 Pro (and Pro Max)
• iPhone 12 (and Mini)
• iPhone 11 Pro (and Pro Max)
• iPhone 11

On iPads and older iPhone models that don’t support Precision Finding, you can still use the Directions option. That will tell you the current location of your tagged item.

2. See If Ultra-Wideband Technology Isn’t Restricted.

The ultra-wideband technology is the heart of Precision Finding. Unfortunately, the use of this technology is restricted in some countries due to security concerns.

Ultra-wideband technology is a radio technology that utilizes low energy for short-range and high-bandwidth communications. It also enhances a device’s spatial awareness. As such, it is being subjected to international regulatory requirements.

So, if you’re trying to fix AirTag Precision Finding not working issue, one of the first things you should do is check ultra-wideband availability in your region or country.

If your iPhone has a U1 chip, and the ultra-wideband technology isn’t restricted in your area, there could be other reasons behind your problem. Find out more below.

3. See If the U1 Chip Is Enabled.

As mentioned, the U1 chip plays a key role in making AirTag’s Precision Finding work. So if the feature doesn’t function well, the problem could be related to the U1 chip itself. One thing you can do is check whether the U1 chip is enabled on your iPhone.

Here’s how to see the U1 chip status on your iPhone:

1. First, launch Settings.
2. Next, tap on the Privacy option.
3. Choose Location Services.
4. Then, scroll down to the bottom and tap System Services.

5. Lastly, see if the toggle button for Networking & Wireless is green and active.

This should get the job done. But if you need more options to fix AirTag Precision Finding not working problem on your iPhone, don’t hesitate to scroll down.

4. Check the Distance of Your Tagged Item.

Bluetooth devices can vary in terms of distance but the usual Bluetooth range is 33 feet or 10 meters. So if you’re trying to use Precision Finding on a compatible iPhone, and it doesn’t work as intended, maybe you aren’t close enough to the tagged item. 

If you think that’s the case, what you should do is use the standard Directions feature. The Find My network can help you find the general area of your AirTag. Then, once you’re within range, the Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology can take over. 

Does the Find My app say the tagged item is within range, and yet, you can’t still activate Precision Finding? Let’s look at other possible causes and fixes below.

5. Turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Off and On.

AirTag issues are often network-related. You need a flawless wireless connection to maintain precise communication between your iPhone and AirTag. So if you notice any sluggishness when using Precision Finding, your connection could be the culprit. 

Turning your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on and off may look simple. But it can help sort out any network issues instantly. 

Here’s how to turn your wireless settings off and on:

1. Start by opening Settings.
2. Look for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. They are listed one after the other.

3. Turn off the toggle buttons for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
4. Restart your iPhone.
5. Once your phone is back on, launch Settings.
6. Turn on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggle buttons.
7. See if Precision Finding is working.

Does the problem persist? At least, now, you’ve ruled out any network issues. You can move on to discover other potential culprits and workarounds.

6. Turn Location Services Off and On.

If you’re still trying to fix AirTag Precision Finding not working issue on your iPhone, try to re-enable Location Services. Resetting Location Services could help get rid of any random bug that may have affected the functionality of your AirTag and its features. 

Here’s how to re-enable Location Services on your iPhone:

1. On your iPhone, open Settings.
2. Select Privacy. 
3. Turn off the toggle button beside Location Services.

4. Tap Turn Off to confirm the action.
5. Restart your iPhone.
6. Once your phone is back on, go to Settings and select Privacy again to turn on the toggle button beside Location Services.
7. Use Find My to locate your AirTag. Check if you can use Precision Finding.

Hopefully, this trick works. If it doesn’t, we still have one more location-related workaround for you. 

7. Ensure Precise Location Is Enabled. 

During the release of iOS 14, Apple introduced Precise Location. This feature gives users the choice of whether they want a particular app to access their location.

Did you refuse to turn Precise Location on when you first opened the Find My app? That could be the reason you can’t use the Precision Finding mode for your AirTag. Remember, the Find My app needs complete access to your location to work properly.

Fortunately, it is easy to see whether Precise Location is enabled on your iPhone.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Privacy.
3. Next, select Location Services.
4. Scroll down through the list of apps installed on your phone. Select Find My.
5. Now, make sure there’s a checkmark beside While Using the App. Also, see if the toggle button beside Precise Location is green and active.

6. Once you’re sure Precise Location is enabled, locate your AirTag from the Find My app. See if you can go to the Precision Finding mode without a glitch.

When Precise Location is enabled, you’ll see the accurate pin for your AirTag’s location. That’s instead of the massive blue circle that shows up on the standard Directions tool.

8. Update Your iOS.

Your device’s current iOS may no longer be compatible with AirTag. If you’ve already ruled out network- and location-related issues, it’s time to check for software updates.

Here’s how to update your iOS:

1. On your iPhone, launch Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Choose Software Update.

4. Tap Download and Install or Install Now if there’s an available update.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Is the Precision Finding still not working after the software update? Try to remove and re-add AirTag onto your device. Check the instructions below. 

9. Re-Add Your AirTag. 

Like with any other Bluetooth device, it makes sense to unpair and re-pair AirTag if you’re having problems using it. Doing so will get rid of any custom settings you’ve made on your device. This helps reset the connection between AirTag and your phone. 

Here’s how to remove and re-add your AirTag to your iPhone:

1. Begin by opening Find My.
2. Tap Items at the bottom row.
3. Select your AirTag. It may be “Bag,” “Wallet,” or any name you had set.
4. Tap Remove Item. Then hit the Remove button to confirm.

5. Restart your iPhone.
6. Once your phone is on, pair your AirTag again.

If this doesn’t work, you might have to reset your AirTag.  Don’t fret. We can guide you.

10. Reset Your AirTag.

The Precision Finding feature might not work even after trying all the workarounds above. It might be because of a buggy firmware update or faulty connection problems between your phone and your AirTag. Resetting the AirTag itself could fix the issue.

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to reset your AirTag (Method 7). Be sure to perform each step carefully. Otherwise, you have to redo the entire method. If the reset is successful, you should be able to use AirTag and its features again smoothly.

11. Get in Touch with Apple Support.

Still can’t use Precision Finding after doing all the solutions above? It’s time to get in touch with Apple Support. There could be hardware issues that need repair. 

You can contact Apple Support via phone, live chat, or mail. Want to visit an Apple Store instead? Make sure to set a Genius Bar appointment online.

That wraps up this article. Hopefully, one or two of our fixes have worked for you. If you still have questions about AirTag, feel free to leave a comment below. We’ll do our best to address them and offer you more troubleshooting tips.