AirTags are a great way to protect and track luggage, but adding them to smaller devices like cameras can be tricky.
Some people just put them in a generic holder attached to the camera strap, but this isn’t exactly discreet, and a thief would likely immediately spot and remove it. Fortunately, there are better solutions …
Apple is careful to emphasize that AirTags are not primarily designed for protection against theft. The anti-stalking protections mean that thieves will eventually be alerted to the presence of an AirTag. However, you do have a window of several hours during which you can track your property before a thief is alerted, so many of us do use them for this purpose.
Of course, that window disappears if a thief can quickly spot an AirTag and discard it. That’s why generic holders may be inexpensive and simple to attach, but are easily identified by thieves.
Fortunately, there are more discreet ways to attach an AirTag to a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
The most basic of these is a camera strap mount. These are intended to look like they are simply part of the strap, and can be somewhat discreet if you have a black camera strap, especially one of the thicker comfort options.
It’s not unusual for photographers to leave a tripod quick-release plate permanently attached to their camera in order to make it easy to attach and detach multiple times a day. You can buy plates with hidden AirTag holders, and these are less likely to attract attention.
If you’re struggling to find a quick release plate compatible with your tripod, another option is a universal adapter.
If you use a cage for your camera in order to attach accessories, you can buy models with hidden AirTag holders attached or separate holders with cage attachments. The latter may not look very discreet when viewed on their own, but do tend to blend in when part of a kitted-out cage.
The newest kit on the block is the Field Bracket by Peak Design. This is an L-bracket intended to allow a camera to be mounted on a tripod in either landscape or portrait mode, but with some additional features like optional hand-straps and cheeseplate for building out a rig. Rather than use an AirTag, it includes a Find My compatible tag.
Do you use any of these methods yourself or have you come up with another solution? Please share in the comments.
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Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!
