What an Away luggage tag does and how to set it up

An Away luggage tag is a small rectangular device that attaches to your bag and helps you track it if it gets lost. The tag connects to your phone through the Away app, which uses Bluetooth to locate your luggage when it's nearby. If your bag goes missing at the airport or during travel, you can see its last known location on a map and contact Away's support team for help.

Setting up the tag takes about five minutes. You'll read the Away app, create an account or sign in, turn on your tag's Bluetooth, and pair it to your phone. Once paired, the tag is ready to use — it doesn't need charging or batteries because it's powered by a replaceable coin cell battery that lasts roughly one year.

The tag works best when your phone is nearby (within about 30 feet for Bluetooth range). If your bag travels beyond that range, the Away app can still help you file a claim and contact the airline, but the real-time tracking stops until the bag comes back into range of any Away user's phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The Away tag pairs to your phone through the Away app using Bluetooth and shows your bag's location on a map when it's within range.
  • Setup requires downloading the app, creating an account, and pairing the tag — a process that takes about five minutes and happens only once.
  • The tag's coin cell battery lasts roughly one year and can be replaced without sending the tag back to Away.
  • If your bag goes missing, you can use the app to see the last location where the tag was detected and file a claim through Away's support system.
  • Bluetooth range is about 30 feet, so the tag only tracks in real time when your phone is close; beyond that, it relies on other Away users' phones to detect it.

Attaching the tag to your luggage

The Away tag comes with a luggage strap — a small fabric loop that threads through the tag's attachment point. Slide the strap through the tag's slot, then wrap it around one of your bag's existing attachment points, such as a handle or the reinforced loop on the side. Pull the strap tight and fasten the velcro closure so the tag sits snugly against your bag.

Position the tag where it won't get caught or crushed during packing. The top handle area or the side of your bag works well. Avoid placing it on a corner that might hit the ground first when your bag is thrown onto a conveyor belt.

The tag itself is durable and water-resistant, so it can handle airport conditions. The strap is designed to stay attached even if your bag is handled roughly, but check it occasionally during your trip to make sure it hasn't loosened.

Pairing the tag to the Away app on your phone

read the Away app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and create an account using your email address, or sign in if you already have one. You'll be asked to set a password and confirm your email.

Once you're logged in, tap the option to add a new tag. The app will ask you to turn on your phone's Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled in your phone's settings, then return to the app and hold your phone close to the tag (within a few inches). The app will search for the tag and display it once it finds it.

When the tag appears on your screen, tap it to complete the pairing. You can give the tag a name — for example, "Main Suitcase" or "Carry-On" — so you can tell it apart if you're tracking multiple bags. Once pairing is complete, the tag will show as connected in the app, and you're ready to travel.

Tracking your bag in real time

Open the Away app and tap the tag you want to locate. The app will show a map with your current location and the tag's location. If the tag is within Bluetooth range (roughly 30 feet), the map will update as you move or as the tag moves, showing you exactly where your bag is.

If your bag is out of range, the map will show the last location where the tag was detected. This is still useful — it tells you where your bag was last seen, which helps you retrace your steps or contact the airline with specific information.

The app also displays the tag's battery level, so you know when it's time to replace the coin cell battery. You'll get a notification when the battery is running low, usually a few weeks before it dies completely.

What to do if your bag goes missing

If you can't find your bag and the tag shows a location on the map, go to that spot and use your phone's Bluetooth to search for the tag. The app will tell you when you're getting closer. If the tag is in a lost-and-found or with another traveler, you may be able to retrieve it directly.

If the tag's last known location doesn't help or your bag has traveled beyond Bluetooth range, use the Away app to file a claim. The app has a built-in option to report your bag as lost and contact Away's support team. You'll provide details about your bag, your flight information, and the airline you flew with. Away can then help you work with the airline to locate your luggage.

Keep your luggage receipt and any baggage claim tags the airline gave you — these help Away and the airline track your bag through their systems. The tag is a tool to help you find your bag, but the airline's own tracking system is still the primary way lost luggage gets located and returned.

Replacing the battery in your Away tag

The Away tag uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, which you can buy at any pharmacy, electronics store, or online retailer for a few dollars. You don't need to send the tag back to Away to replace it.

To replace the battery, locate the small slot on the back or side of the tag (the exact location depends on your tag model). Use a coin or a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry open the battery compartment. Remove the old battery and note which side was facing up — the positive side should face up when you insert the new battery. Slide the new battery in, close the compartment, and you're done.

The new battery will last about one year with normal use. The app will notify you when the battery is running low, so you'll have time to replace it before it dies.

Troubleshooting common tag problems

If the tag won't pair to your phone, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings and that you're holding the phone close to the tag. Restart the Away app and try again. If the tag still won't pair, restart your phone and attempt pairing once more.

If the tag pairs but then disconnects, check that Bluetooth is still enabled on your phone. The tag disconnects automatically when you move out of range, which is normal. If it disconnects even when you're close to the tag, try unpairing it in the app and pairing it again from scratch.

If the map shows your tag's location but it seems inaccurate, remember that Bluetooth location is approximate — it's based on signal strength, not GPS, so it may be off by several feet. Move closer to the tag to get a more precise reading. If you're indoors, walls and metal objects can weaken the Bluetooth signal and make the location less accurate.

If the battery is dead and you haven't replaced it yet, the tag won't send any signal. Replace the coin cell battery and the tag will work again when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Away tag work without an internet connection?

The tag uses Bluetooth, which doesn't require an internet connection. However, to see the map and file a claim through the app, your phone needs internet access. When you're offline, you can still see the tag's last known location once you reconnect.

Can I use one tag to track multiple bags?

No, each tag tracks one bag. If you want to track multiple bags, you'll need to buy multiple tags and pair each one to the app separately. The app can manage several tags at once, and you can name each one so you know which is which.

What happens if someone else's Away app detects my tag?

Away's network includes all users of the app. If your bag travels out of your Bluetooth range but comes near another Away user, their phone may detect your tag and report its location to the Away servers. This helps you locate your bag even if you're not physically nearby. Your privacy is protected — other users can't see your personal information, only that a tag is in their area.

Is the tag waterproof?

The tag is water-resistant and can handle rain, spills, and airport humidity. It's not fully waterproof, so avoid submerging it or exposing it to heavy water pressure. The luggage strap is also water-resistant but not waterproof.

Can I use the tag if I fly with a different airline?

Yes, the tag works with any airline. It tracks your bag using Bluetooth and the Away app, independent of which airline you fly with. When you file a claim through the app, you'll provide your airline information so Away can help coordinate with that airline's lost-luggage system.