AirTags can help you find your lost posts, whether they're on the other side of the world or buried in your couch. But Apple's Bluetooth beacons can also be used to activate Automations in the iPhone Shortcuts app., just like any other NFC tag. Here's how to set it all.
Using AirTags for NFC automations
Although AirTags are more useful for finding things, Apple also decided to include NFC support (near field communication). With this, you can scan the AirTag with your phone or Apple Watch by zooming in and then trigger a variety of actions using the Apple Shortcuts app.
The Apple Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on iPhone and iPad, but can download it from the App Store if you have previously uninstalled it.
If you don't already have an AirTag, may buy one for $ 29-O buy a pack of four for $ 99. If you already have an AIrTag, you can use your existing AirTags for this and still use them to track objects. Even when used to activate shortcuts via NFC, AirTags continue to serve their primary purpose as trackers.
For this reason, you need to think carefully about what you want your AirTag to activate and link it to whatever it is you are tracking. As an example, if you have an AirTag in your gym bag, you may want to use it to activate Do Not Disturb mode, start a workout and shuffle your running playlist on Apple Music.
Decidedly, you can also use an AirTag as an NFC trigger and forget about tracking, but can buy basic NFC tags for much less money and use them for shortcut automations.
How to set up AirTag automations in shortcuts
To use any NFC activator “passively”, you will need a iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or newer. Although the iPhone X and earlier phones have NFC capabilities, NFC triggers do not work passively in the background and rely on application intervention.
For this reason, you won't see NFC listed as an automation trigger in Apple's shortcut apps while trying to set this up on an older device.
To use an AirTag as an NFC trigger, launch Shortcuts and touch the tab “Automation”.
Touch “Create personal automation”.
Scroll down until you see the trigger “NFC” and touch it.
Note: If you don't see “NFC” as an option in the New Automation listing, is not enabled on your iPhone. You will need a newer iPhone to do this.
Touch “Scan” and then scan the AirTag (or any NFC tag you want to use) and give it a name. Now you can use the button “Add action” to add any actions you want to take when you scan your AirTag with your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Click on “Next” followed by “Ready” to finish your automation.
Do more with shortcuts
The Shortcuts app can help you automate your entire life using a wide variety of inputs and triggers.. You can create complex home automations with HomeKit devices or use geofencing to trigger actions when you are within range of your home or workplace.
Learn more about how to create your own shortcuts or download shortcuts created by other people.
RELATED: 8 cool AirTag NFC shortcut ideas for iPhone and Apple Watch
