My iOS Location Alerts Tag isn't updating - what do I do?

First: take a breath. A tag that hasn't updated recently almost always has a simple explanation - and in most cases, it doesn't mean your pet is missing or that anything is wrong with the tag itself.

Your PetFindr Location Alerts Tag works with Apple's Find My Network - a system that relies on nearby iPhones to detect your tag and report its location. It's clever, it's free, and it doesn't rely on GPS or mobile data. But because it depends on other devices being nearby, there are a few things worth understanding.

Why isn't this GPS?

GPS trackers need their own cellular connection to send location data - which means a monthly subscription, a larger battery (and tag), and more frequent charging. Our tags instead use the free network of nearby phones (Apple's Find My or Google's Find Hub) to relay location, so there's no ongoing cost and the battery lasts months, not days. The trade-off: they work best in areas with regular foot traffic, rather than very remote locations with few phones nearby.

Quick Checks (Start Here)

Work through these in order - most location issues are solved by the first two or three.

1. Is there an iPhone nearby?

Find My needs an iPhone (yours or a stranger's) within Bluetooth range to detect the tag. In quiet areas — think rural roads, national parks, or the back paddock — there may simply be no phones passing by to relay a location. This isn't a fault; it's how the network works. Please note if your tag is iOS, it will need an iPhone to update, and likewise, Android tags will need an Android phone to update.

2. Is Bluetooth turned on?

On the iPhone linked to your tag: Settings > Bluetooth > make sure it's on. Bluetooth is what lets your phone "see" the tag in the first place.

3. Is Find My Network switched on?

Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My Network > toggle on. This is easy to miss and is one of the most common causes of "no updates."

4. Is Location Services enabled?

Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > make sure it's on, both globally and for the Find My app.

5. Is the linked iPhone on, charged, and online?

If the phone paired to your tag is off, flat, or in Airplane Mode, it can't report anything — even if your tag is broadcasting perfectly.

6. Is your iPhone in Low Power Mode?

This can quietly reduce background Find My activity. Worth switching off temporarily if you're troubleshooting.

Still no update? Check the tag itself

Battery level

Your Location Alerts Tag uses a replaceable CR2032 battery, lasting approximately 6 months dependant on usage levels (eg using the beep functionality will reduce battery). A low battery can reduce broadcast range before the tag fully dies. If you're due for a change, this is the most likely culprit.

Try a reset

Press the button twice — you'll hear a beep
Press the button four times rapidly
On the fifth press, hold it down until you hear a chime — your tag is now reset
Wait 10 minutes to allow it to fully power off
Re-pair the tag following the setup steps in your Quick Start guide
Give it 15–20 minutes near your linked iPhone to reconnect and report a fresh location

Physical check

Look the tag over for any cracks or signs the antenna may have been damaged (e.g. from a hard chew or a fall).

When to contact us

Get in touch if:

You've worked through all the steps above and there's still no update after 24 hours in an area with normal phone traffic (e.g. your neighbourhood, a shopping strip)

📧 hello@petfindr.com.au

Good habit: regular check-ins

Because Find My relies on proximity, the best time to notice a problem is before you need the tag in an emergency. We recommend a quick location check every 4 weeks as part of normal pet care. Keep an eye out for our reminder emails to help you stay on top of this.

Main menu