Do AirTags Replace Microchips for Pets?

Brigite
Jan 15
3 min read

Apple AirTags have quietly become one of the most talked-about pet accessories, especially for cats.

They’re small, affordable, and promise peace of mind. So it’s natural for cat owners to ask the big question: Do AirTags replace microchips for pets?

The short answer is no. The long answer explains why they’re often confused — and how to use them correctly together.

Why AirTags Became Popular for Pet Tracking

AirTags were designed to find lost objects, keys, bags, and wallets, not living animals.

But pet owners adopted them because they:

are lightweight
integrate easily with iPhones
show approximate location using nearby Apple devices
feel more “active” than a microchip

For anxious moments, especially with indoor cats, they can feel reassuring.

But reassurance isn’t the same as recovery.

What AirTags Actually Do (and Don’t Do)

AirTags work by:

broadcasting a Bluetooth signal
being detected by nearby Apple devices
updating location only when another device passes close enough

This means:

❌ no real-time GPS tracking
❌ no location updates in remote areas
❌ no way for shelters or vets to identify ownership

If an AirTagged cat is found by a stranger or brought to a shelter, the AirTag cannot be scanned to retrieve owner information.

What Microchips Do That AirTags Never Can for your Pet

Microchips are not trackers, they are permanent identification.

When a cat is found:

shelters and clinics scan for a chip
ownership information appears instantly
reunification can happen quickly and quietly

Microchips:

don’t rely on phones or batteries
don’t fall off
are recognized by animal control and shelters worldwide

This is why microchips are considered the baseline safety standard, not an optional accessory.

“What Happens If Your Cat Isn’t Microchipped?”

Why AirTags Can Create a False Sense of Security

The biggest risk with AirTags isn’t malfunction, it’s overconfidence.

Common misconceptions:

“I’ll be able to track my cat anywhere.”
“Someone can contact me through the AirTag”
“This replaces a microchip”

None of these are true.

If an AirTag collar comes off, which happens often with cats, the tracking stops entirely.

When AirTags Can Be Useful for Cats

AirTags are best used as a supplement, not a replacement.

They can be helpful:

for short-range monitoring
in urban or suburban areas with many Apple devices
during supervised outdoor time
for identifying where a cat escaped from, not where they’ll end up

Think of AirTags as situational awareness, not recovery insurance.

Indoor Cats, Escapes, and the AirTag Myth

Many indoor cats escape during:

moves
guests arriving
renovations
loud or unfamiliar events

In these moments:

AirTags may show where a cat was
but not where they are now

Indoor cats often hide nearby and remain silent — which is why recovery relies more on search behaviour and identification, not live tracking.

“Your Cat Ran Away: What to Do Immediately”