# Apple’s Upcoming iOS 18.2 Feature: Item Location Sharing for AirTags and Other Trackers
Apple has made an exciting announcement regarding a remarkable new capability in the forthcoming **iOS 18.2** update: **Share Item Location**. This upgrade to the **Find My** app enables users to share the whereabouts of their **AirTag** or third-party tracking devices with others, including airlines, aiding in the efficient recovery of misplaced or mishandled belongings.
## A Transformative Solution for Lost Baggage
A primary application of this feature lies within air travel. As the use of **AirTags** for monitoring checked luggage becomes more widespread, Apple has collaborated with over **15 airlines** to embed **Share Item Location** into their lost luggage recovery protocols. This development means that if your luggage is delayed or misplaced, you can now directly share your AirTag’s location with the airline, enabling them to monitor it in real-time.
### Airlines Supporting Item Location Sharing
The airlines that will initially offer this feature comprise:
– **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 Airlines**
– **Virgin Atlantic**
– **Vueling**
Apple has assured that more airlines will be added in the future, enhancing the scope and benefits of this feature.
### Integration with Airlines and Enhancing Customer Service
The integration of **Share Item Location** into the customer service frameworks of airlines is anticipated to simplify the process of tracking lost or delayed luggage. For example, **United Airlines** has already shown enthusiasm for the feature. As stated by **David Kinzelman**, United’s chief customer officer:
> “We’ve closely collaborated with Apple to embed Share Item Location into our baggage recovery operations and are thrilled to bring this feature to our customers soon. Many of our customers travel with AirTag in their checked baggage, and this will soon allow them to safely and securely share their location information with us, aiding our customer service team in working more effectively and giving our customers added reassurance.”
Initially, United plans to introduce the feature at select airports, with a complete systemwide launch anticipated by early 2025.
## Functionality of Share Item Location
The **Share Item Location** functionality is intended to be straightforward and secure. Here’s how it operates:
1. **Find Your Belonging**: Should you misplace an item, such as a suitcase or a keychain, you can utilize the **Find My** app to track it through your **AirTag** or compatible third-party tracker.
2. **Distribute the Location**: You can create a secure link permitting someone else—be it a friend, family member, or airline—to monitor the item’s location. This link can be shared via text message, email, or alternative messaging platforms.
3. **Precise Location Finding**: If the recipient of the link owns an **iPhone 11** or later, they are able to use **Precision Finding** for specific guidance to the item’s precise location.
This feature proves especially handy in scenarios where you cannot physically retrieve the item yourself. For instance, if your keys are left behind at a restaurant, you can share the AirTag’s location with the restaurant manager, facilitating their ability to locate it for you.
## Improved Security and Confidentiality
Consistent with all of Apple’s location-sharing functions, **Share Item Location** prioritizes privacy and security. The shared location link is encrypted, making sure that only the designated recipient can view the item’s location. Furthermore, the link can be programmed to expire after a set time, granting users oversight over how long others can track their belongings.
## Wider Uses Beyond Air Travel
In addition to its airline integration, **Share Item Location** offers broader uses for daily life. Whether you’re sharing the location of a lost wallet, keys, or even a pet’s collar, this functionality simplifies the process of enlisting assistance from others to find your lost items.
For instance, if you misplace your keychain at a friend’s residence, you can share the location with them, enabling them to use their iPhone to track it down. This becomes particularly beneficial when you’re not physically available to retrieve the item yourself.
## Summary
The **Share Item Location** functionality within **iOS 18.2** promises to transform how we monitor and recover misplaced items, especially in the context of air travel. With support from major airlines and seamless integration within the **Find My** app, this capability provides a newfound level of convenience and assurance for travelers and everyday users.
