AirTags and other tracking devices: guidance

Read our guidance on AirTags and other location trackers to inform and help define your school policy on their use.

New
on 17 January 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 50494
Contents
  1. What do tracking devices do? 
  2. Decide your school policy on tracker use
  3. Communicate your policy to staff, parents/carers, governors and pupils
  4. See what other schools are doing

What do tracking devices do? 

AirTags are small, button-shaped electronic devices, made by Apple.

Users connect the device to their Apple ID (account) and place it on or in something they want to keep track of, such as their keys, a bag or a wallet. The location of that AirTag can then be tracked on any device using that ID.

Apple says the devices are not intended to be used to track people (see the company's statement). 

Devices that work in a similar way include:

  • Tile
  • Chipolo ONE Spot
  • eufy SmartTrack Link

Other devices which track location include additional functions, such as;

  • AngelSense (audio communication)
  • Pebbell Mini (audio communication, fall detection)
  • GPS watches and other health wearables (step counters, timers) 
  • Smartphones 

Decide your school policy on tracker use

You and other leaders