Apple is rolling out a new feature in the iOS 18.2 developer beta that enhances the Find My app by allowing users to share the location of lost items through a public link.

This new capability enables recipients of the link to contact the item owner directly via the provided email or phone number.

Users can monitor how many people have accessed the shared link, which will expire either when the item is recovered or after one week if it remains lost.

These enhancements aim to improve the functionality of Apple’s lost item recovery system and overall user experience.

This feature builds on a previous update from September 2023, which allowed continuous location sharing of an AirTag with up to five additional people, facilitating collaborative tracking.

As reports of lost or delayed luggage by airlines rise, many travelers are turning to tracking devices like Apple's AirTags for assistance.

The iOS 18.2 beta also introduces a subscription option for ChatGPT Plus through iPhone settings, further enhancing user access to AI features.

To access the beta, users must enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program and select new Beta Updates in their device settings.

The public link will display the item's location and can be shared temporarily, with the option to expire after a few hours or be manually stopped by the user.

Now, the owner of an AirTag can see how many people accessed the shared link, enabling assistance from multiple strangers if necessary.

Previously, Find My only allowed sharing item locations with contacts saved in the user's address book, limiting its usefulness for reaching out to strangers.

Overall, these updates reflect Apple's commitment to enhancing the tracking capabilities of its devices, making it easier for users to recover lost items.