Apple’s Find My is undoubtedly one of the best ecosystem features its users can use, and understandably so. With Find My, Apple users can easily track their iPhone, iPad, etc. misplaced or lost, or even locate their AirTagged items. Well, Apple just made it easier to locate your stolen or misplaced items with a new Share item location functionality.

According to the official Apple announcement, the feature is part of the iOS 18.2 public beta. Yes, the same version that would allow iPhone users to finally see the estimated charging time. Speaking of the new Share Item Location upgrade to Apple’s Find My, as appears to be the case, it will allow users to share the location of an “AirTag or Find My network accessory with third parties such as airlines.”

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, said:

“The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when luggage has been misplaced or mishandled. With Share Item Location, we’re excited to offer users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, while protecting their privacy.

To take advantage of this feature, Apple users can simply go to the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac and create an account. “Share item location.” This will create a link showing the location of the items on an interactive map.

Then, they can simply share said link with friends, family, or third parties like airlines to keep everyone in the loop. Additionally, whenever the location of the Airtagged Baggage changes, that particular website will automatically reflect it, while also showing when it was last updated.

More than 15 popular international airlines will begin using Find My Item locations to detect misplaced luggage. These airlines include 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. However, Apple guarantees that more airlines will join us on it gradually.

Now, if you’re worried about this link being visible to everyone, don’t be. Access to these links will be limitedRecipients must authenticate access using their Apple account or partner email address in the case of airline service providers. Not to mention that the links themselves will be end-to-end encryptedwithout even accessory manufacturers Apple or Find My Network being able to access it.

David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, said:

“We know that many of our customers already travel with AirTag in their checked bags, and this feature will soon make it easier for them to share location information with us securely, helping our customer service agents work more efficiently and providing our customers greater security. peace of mind.

Additionally, Kinzelman adds that they plan to integrate this feature into select airports initially, but aim to introduce it system-wide as soon as possible. early 2025.

SITA (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautique), technological leader in air transport, will integrate Share Item Location into its baggage tracking system called WorldTracer. The system is used by more than 500 airlines and 2,800 airports worldwide.