An astounding 1.4 million pieces of luggage get lost by airlines annually, and I hear more and more about people using AirTags to track their luggage when they travel.
While the Apple AirTag is super popular and effective for tracking your belongings, they only work with iPhones. So what about Android phone users? Here are the most popular AirTag alternatives that will work with your Android phone.
The good news is there are a couple of solid alternatives you can use, along with Google's recently upgraded Android Find My Device network!
Can you use an Apple AirTag with an Android phone?
No, you can't do very much with an AirTag and Android phone. An AirTag works with the Find My app, which is not available for Android.
You can use the Tracker Detect app which will scan and look for a nearby AirTag, but this is mostly used to make sure an AirTag is not following you without you knowing. (More on AirTag safety)
Android Alternatives to Apple AirTags
Tile
The Tile is probably the most popular of the Android options, and actually predates the AirTag by 8 years. Similar to how AirTags works, it uses Bluetooth technology to connect with nearby phones, then communicates its location back to the owner.
It communicates with the network of Android-using phones within its Bluetooth range, so tracking is dependent on an Android phone being closeby.
Tile's user guides declare its Bluetooth range to be up to 250 feet (The standard Bluetooth range of AirTags is approximately 100–200 feet in open spaces), but in the real world, physical obstructions and radio wave interferences can greatly limit this distance.
The Tile Pro is the loudest and has the widest range at 400 feet.
Battery Life:
- Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker all come with a sealed 3-year battery.
- The Tile Pro comes with a battery that lasts for one year, but is replaceable
Pros:
- You can use the tile to alert & find your phone by pressing the button
- Comes in 4 different designs to fit different purposes.
- The Tile Mate and Pro comes with a hole so you don't need an extra accessory to hang on to your keys.
- Tile Mate can also be paired with an iPhone and become discoverable on the iOS 'Find My' app in case you switch phones later, though it cannot be viewed simultaneously on two different phones.
- All four models, have an IP67 water resistance rating and can endure water immersion up to 3 feet deep for 30 minutes.
Cons:
- Tile likely won't support Google's Android Find My Device as it builds its own satellite-based network. It does use Tile Network and Amazon Sidewalk.
- Many attractive features come with a $29.99 annual fee, but you can still use the Tile's basic features without a subscription
- Does not have the real-time close-range directional finder that the AirTag and Galaxy SmartTag+ have within their apps. If the item is missing, you can pull up a map to follow & listen for the ringing sound until your device is located. There is also a green rings that fill in as you get closer.
Chipolo
Similar to the Tile Mate, Chipolo relies on a network of Bluetooth-enabled Android phones to identify its location when out of Bluetooth range of your own phone.
Battery Life:
- Chipolo ONE has a replaceable battery that will last up to 2 years.
- Chipolo CARD has a non-replaceable battery that will last up to 1 year
- Chipolo ONE Spot and Chipolo ONE Point have a replaceable battery that will last up to 1 year.
- Chipolo CARD Spot and Chipolo CARD Point have a non-replaceable battery that will last up to 2 years
Pros:
- You can change the alarm tone of the device, make your phone ring and even transform it into a remote control shutter trigger for your phone's camera in its "Take a Selfie" mode.
- Comes in 4 different designs to fit different purposes.
- Chipolo one comes with a key ring hole integrated so you can easily add to a key chain
- Compatible with Google's Android Find My Device. Also can work with either iOS and Android, but you will need to buy the correct version (Chipolo One Spot for Apple)
- For trackers with a non-replaceable batter, when the tracker reaches end of life, you can purchase a replacement at half cost with their Renew and Recycle program.
- The Chipolo One is the smallest and lightest keychain option by a slim amount compared to the Tile Mate. The dimensions are slightly bigger than an AirTag, but an AirTab is slightly heavier at 11g.
- Chipolo One 1.49 x 1.49 x 0.25 inches, 7.65 grams
- Tile Mate 1.49 x 1.49 x 0.28 inches, 8 grams
- Airtag: 1.26in x 0.31in, 11 grams
Cons:
- The Chipolo can pull up map directions to direct you to its location, but does not have the real-time close-range directional finder that the AirTag and Galaxy SmartTag+ have within their apps. You'll just have to press the "Ring to Find" button in the Chipolo app and follow the sound until your device is located.
- The Chipolo PLUS is splash proof (IPX5 rating), but the Chipolo CLASSIC and older models are not water resistant or splash proof.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag
The Galaxy SmartTag is a Samsung-made tracking device that you can only use with Samsung Galaxy phones.
Battery Life:
SmartTag uses a single Coin Cell battery and can last up to 300 days of usage but, battery lifetime may vary depending on usage pattern of users. Then the battery can be replaced by user.
Pros:
- Ideal for heavy Samsung users as can connect with other Samsung-made devices. You can use it as a remote control for your Samsung TV, turn on your Samsung dryer, lights, thermostats and a host of other appliances.
- AR, feature, which can provide you with real-time directional signals on your phone's camera screen to find your SmartTag.
- hole for a key ring built into the case
- The IP67 rating means that the SmartTag2 is dustproof and can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
Cons:
- Slightly larger than the Tile Mate
- Smaller network as it only connects with Samsung Galaxy phones. It would work great in areas with many Samsung devices, like South Korea, but other countries may be more limited.
Pebblebee
The Pebblebee boast the farthest range of 500 ft Bluetooth range from mobile devices. One feature I love the most is that it's rechargeable, reducing the waste of throwing out devices and batteries when they run out of charge.
Battery Life:
All Pebblebee rechargeable products are shipped with a cable charger. The Clip lasts up to 12 months on a single charge.
Pros:
- Has versions compatible Apple Find My network and Android / Google's Android Find My Device, though you need to buy the correct version.
- Comes in three styles for different objects, the Clip comes with a hole to easily add to keychains.
- Rechargeable, so you don't need to throw out a whole device or battery. Has a USB-C port so you probably already have charge cables on hand.
- LEDs that flash to help you locate it in dark spaces
- IPX6-rated for water resistance
Cons:
- It’s bigger than an AirTag
- Does not have the real-time close-range directional finder that the AirTag and Galaxy SmartTag+ have within their apps. If the item is missing, you can open the app to buzz the tracking. It will show if the item is 'Very close', 'Nearby', or 'Distant'. Once you are close you can activate the sound and LED light to find it.
Motorola Moto Tag
The newest AirTag alternative is designed for Motorola smartphone users. The Moto Tag is the closest looking in shape and size to an AirTag, but has added features like a button to alert your phone if you can't find it, or use it as a remote shutter for your Motorola phone’s camera.
Battery Life:
It uses a CR2032 coin cell battery and should last a full year before it needs a new one.
Pros:
- Compatible with Google's Android Find My Device.
- Also offers ultra wideband, which means that if your phone is equipped with a UWB chip — like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — you can track down the tag’s precise location like an AirTag
- pressing a button on the Moto Tag will ring your phone to help you find it. The multifunction button can also be used as a remote shutter for your Motorola phone’s camera.
- IP67 rating for water resistance
Cons:
- No hole to add to keychain so you need to purchase a separate holder, but shaped to be similar to an AirTag so it would work with most third party accessories already readily available on the market.
There are many options for Android users to use to track their bags and belongings when on the move. It's great if you are constantly misplacing items, but also a way to find your belongings if they get stolen.
For those with safety at the top of mind, using a tracker in conjunction with anti-theft Arden Cove bags and luggage is a great option for extra peace of mind as you travel.
Want more tips on keeping belongings safe? Check out this article on preventing pickpockets from picking your bags.
Going on a trip? Try out our FREE travel planner to make the trip extra smooth.
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