New Find My feature in iOS 15 will alert you when you leave an item behind

AppleInsider

Apple is introducing a new Find My feature that will make it difficult to accidentally leave behind an Apple device or third-party tracking accessory.

Credit: Apple

So-called separation alerts will ping a user if they leave the proximity of a device like an iPhone or AirTag. The feature can also be enabled for third-party devices that support the Find My network.

"Enable separation alerts, and if you leave a device, AirTag, or compatible third-party item behind, your iPhone will alert you with notifications and Find My will give you directions to your item," Apple says.

Separation alerts are enabled on a per-device basis. Users can head into the menu of a specific item and hit a toggle to "Notify When Left Behind."

Users will get an alert when they are out of range of the specific device. However, they'll also be able to set location-based exceptions, such as if a device is at home.

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h4y3s

This is a great feature that I have wanted for a while. Can’t wait to try it out. 

StrangeDays

I definitely could have used this many times over the years.

Xed

This is a welcome addition that feels long overdue.

CheeseFreeze

I keep forgetting my phone though 😀 guess there’s no practical solution for that 🤨 

iOS_Guy80

CheeseFreeze said:

I keep forgetting my phone though 😀 guess there’s no practical solution for that 🤨 

Surprised the watch could not tell you that you’ve left your phone behind you’re going to have that on your wrist all the time.

dewme

Definitely a BFD. For me, this feature changes the AirTag purchase decision from a “Meh” to a “Must Have.” In fact, this is my primary use case for AirTag. My (pessimistic) assumption is that any AirTag that’s visible on a item of value will end up in a trash can or on the side of the road once it is discovered. 

With this feature available every single parent should place an AirTag on every baby car seat they use. This could be a lifesaver.

GeorgeBMac

This will be helpful

As I rely increasingly on my Apple Watch, my iPhone becomes increasingly less time critical --- which results in me tending to leave it behind more and more often.

Good move Apple!

ITGUYINSD

So it says it works with "devices", does that mean if I'm at a restaurant and leave my iPhone on the table, my Apple Watch will alert me that my iPhone is away (no AirTags involved)?

I purchased Phone Buddy app that does just this, but the current version is broken since latest updates and does not follow exclusion of being on home WiFi so the thing is alerting all the time when I walk away from my iPhone at home.

BUT, this is exactly what I wanted from AirTags so I can put one in my backpack so I don't leave it behind at a client office (which I have admittedly done!).

Eric_WVGG

That woulda saved the Airpods that disappeared at my office one night

marcus1983

This worked last week but since I have the iPhone 13 pro it doesn’t work. Is there a setting I need to tweak?