Skip to main content
UX Content
  • Case Studies
  • UX Bites
  • Cheatsheets
  • Psychology
BFM+
  • Instant Feedback
  • MCP
  • Figma Plugin
  • Tiers & pricing
  • Free newsletter
  • Log in
Other
  • Archive
  • About
  • Help
  • Changelog
Services
UX audits

A complete audit of your user experience, delivered in a format that you can't ignore.

Book an audit

Built for Mars Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 12731987).

Account
  • Log inAccess your library and activities
  • SubscribeUnlock all features and access to the library
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Structured learning
  • UX BootcampEnroll in a 5-week bootcamp
  • PathwaysCreate custom learning Pathways to work towards any goal, industry or topic
  • CollectionsBrowse Case Studies by key topics
  • QuizzesTest your knowledge
Explore the library
  • Case StudiesSlideshows that are packed with research
  • UX BitesReal examples of design magic
  • CheatsheetsQuickly level up in a particular area
  • Product PsychologyLearn the essentials
  • NewsletterGet research straight to your inbox
  • CompaniesBrowse by company
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Tools to help you
  • AI InsightsUpload screenshots of your design, and get instant feedback from our AI
  • MCPAccess the entire library from your favourite agent
  • Figma pluginAccess our AI tools, and our entire library, directly from Figma
One-to-one help
  • UX AuditsThe fast-track for growth
Includes tools that help you ship better products

Learning never stops, but sometimes you need a little more.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Log inSubscribe today
Home
Case Studies
Improving Apple's Airtags

How to get the most from Case Studies

BFM+Exclusive

Improving Apple's Airtags

6 mins
about Apple
Apple logo
  • Summary
  • 5 ways to improve the UX of AirTags
  • 1. Why you need real-time positioning

Apple are indisputably a leader in intuitive design—on many occasions raising the bar for how a product feels, and delivering some of the best user experiences I've ever seen.

But after spending a few weeks using AirTags, I'm disappointed.

I also noticed that the majority of the reviews I'd read online used stock imagery, whilst demoing the tags in a controlled office environment. It's likely that the rush to release reviews quickly—for relevancy—meant that very few people tested them thoroughly.

But to appreciate the intricacies of a world-class UX, you need to really get 'into the weeds' of a product. Which is what I've done.

This isn't a review of the Apple AirTags, but rather an intimate analysis of how they could improve very specific parts of their user experience.

Even Apple misfire from time to time.

Summary

  • 🗺

    1. Why you need real-time positioning

  • 🔇

    2. Your AirTag isn't reachable

  • 😱

    3. The most stressful notification ever created

  • 💬

    4. The issue with custom messages

  • ⏱

    5. The search for milliseconds

5 ways to improve the UX of AirTags

1. Why you need real-time positioning

If any Apple device gets within range of a lost AirTag (approximately 100 meters), then it silently—and unknowingly to the passer by—pings its location through the 'Find My' network, telling the owner where the item is.

Peter Ramsey, Built for Mars Founder

Written by Peter Ramsey

Consultant to 100+ companies

Published: 02/06/2021
Last edited: 01/04/2025

Other popular case studies

Free
8 min to learn...

Twitch Celebrates the Wrong Thing (and Misses the Aha Moment)

with aCase Study
focused on
Twitch Logo
Twitch
Twitch logo
Read study
Free
8 min to learn...

Why Adding Friction Improved Built for Mars' Conversion Rate by 25%

with aCase Study
focused on
Built for Mars Logo
Built for Mars
Bfmyellow
Read study
BFM+Exclusive
6 min to learn...

How Hinge Keeps You Engaged (Not Romantically)

with aCase Study
focused on
Hinge Logo
Hinge
Hinge logo
Preview study
BFM+Exclusive
6 min to learn...

Google is Hollowing out Waze, and that's a Problem for Apple

with aCase Study
focused on
Waze Logo
Google Maps Logo
Apple Maps Logo
Wazelogo
Preview study
BFM+Exclusive
8 min to learn...

How To Design A Loyalty Scheme That Actually Motivates People

with aCase Study
focused on
Costa Logo
Costa
Costa Coffee Logo 1
Preview study
BFM+Exclusive
7 min to learn...

If a Supermarket Scanner Needs Explaining, Something’s Broken

with aCase Study
focused on
Waitrose Logo
Sainsbury's Logo
Asda Logo
Waitrose logo
Preview study