Tracking Watch via Findy My

[frosty001]

Forgive is this has been covered (I did look).

I wanted to know the accuracy of tracking one’s Apple Watch via Findy My on an iPhone.

There was an advert last year, where Apple was touting the ability of finding your friend at a busy public location using iPhone to iPhone location software (Findy My).

I wondered if this level of tracking was possible from iPhone to Apple Watch. And if there were only certain Apple Watch models that applied to.

the reason I ask, is that if I use an Apple Tag in a busy location - a shopping mall. It really struggles to give me any more than the classic map view with a blue dot. I never get the more precise green screen UI giving me a compass and live distance.

I may get my kid an old Apple Watch for this very purpose. The Apple tag on a keyring method is not quite reliable enough.

If anyone can share any I information. I’d really appreciate it. Th aka in advance.

 

[Night Spring]

Hmmm, according to this, you can look for your iPhone from your Apple watch using precision finding, if your watch is S9, S10 or Ultra2. It says nothing about the other way around.

Your use case of wanting to find your child by giving them an Apple watch is an interesting one, but it may not have occurred to Apple that people may want to use the watch that way.

EDIT: Also, here's an article about how to use precision finding with AirTags. Check to see if there's anything in there that'll improve your experience in finding AirTags.

 

[BigBlur]

It really struggles to give me any more than the classic map view with a blue dot.

AirTags aren't accurate to that level of detail because AirTags don't have GPS chips. Apple devices nearby pick up the AirTag's signal and report their location to Apple. So if a phone 50 feet away picked up the signal, the AirTag will appear where that phone was, not where the AirTag actually is. Supposedly, if multiple devices pick up the signal, then the location can be triangulated and be more accurate.

I never get the more precise green screen UI giving me a compass and live distance.

You need to be within Bluetooth range for this feature to work...around 30 feet or so and have no obstructions that would block the signal.

As for Apple Watches, only the cellular models have the capability to share location. You would need a cellular plan and can set up 'Apple Watch For Your Kids' (formerly called Family Setup) if your kid doesn't have an iPhone yet.

Apple Watch For Your Kids

Use your iPhone to manage watches for the whole family — even if the kids don’t have an iPhone yet. It’s independence for them, peace of mind for you.

www.apple.com

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Also, just an FYI, cell carriers have products made for this purpose as well. My brother used Verizon's Gizmo watch for his kids, and they worked well.