Curt,
an AirTag is not connecting directly to the owner’s smart phone.
A smart phone transmits much more information than just text and photos. It is constantly switching from cell tower to cell tower sending and receiving data entirely in the background.
an AirTag has a limited range and makes its connections using Bluetooth, connecting to Smart phones that have the AirTag app installed, using Wi-Fi networks. so an AirTag to retrieve a lost backpack in the sierra high country will do you no good.
but if your AirTag is near ANY app-equipped Smart phone on a Wi-Fi network it will communicate it’s location through the internet- in the background - back to its owners smart phone.
I did some errands earlier today in my F-150. Getting close to home, the AirTag connected with another iPhone on a strong Wi-Fi — I guess my home Wi-Fi, where are the 🍎 icon is, is not strong enough to reach my truck parked in the driveway 🤷♂️🤷♂️
AirTags will work worldwide with app-equipped smart phones. Some people are actually using them to track international shipments to confirm delivery.
that seems like a pretty large functioning range, don’t you think?😁
Larry