The Best Key Finder: Apple AirTag and Alternatives
Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag, Tile and their alternatives are useful. The small tracking devices can be stowed in luggage or attached to objects such as keys. If something is lost, you can use the mobile app to start the search and find the missing item again.
In this overview, we focus on trackers that work with technologies such as Bluetooth, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) and NFC work. You are trading different designations to find:
- trackers, bluetooth trackers
- Key finder, key finder
- item finder
- finder
Thus, here no GPS tracker presented, this is a different technology and a different area of application.
Contents
Apple AirTag: Always with you
Compatible with Apple (iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS). The Apple AirTag was developed by Apple and is an ideal addition if you are already deeply immersed in the Apple ecosystem. The round tracker works with Bluetooth Low Energy and UWB. The localization takes place via the Find My app (iOS, macOS) takes place – across national borders as well centimeter accurate (“Exact Search”, requires iPhone 11 or later). Since the radio range is limited, as with all devices of this type, a trick is used: According to Apple, AirTag is based on “a network of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac devices around the world”. A lost AirTag does not have to establish a direct connection to the owner, but only to reach any nearby Apple device. That can then send the location to the iCloud send it and the owner – and no one else – can retrieve it there. The replaceable battery (CR2032) lasts over a year.
A good purchase
I have an AirTag in my wallet. This has saved me time and stress a number of times in everyday life, for example because I was in a hurry and wasn’t sure whether I last left my wallet in the pocket of my coat, in my backpack or on the kitchen table. On vacation, the gadget is an integral part of my luggage – that gives me a feeling of security. I have compiled my experiences with this almost surprisingly good purchase in a report. The few disadvantages: The AirTag has no hole to attach it, scratches quickly and should be even more compact for my taste.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Atuvos: Alternative to Apple’s AirTag
Compatible with Apple (iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS). An alternative (often available at a discount) to the Apple AirTag is the Atuvos Key finder (look at Amazon). It is compatible with Apple’s Find My network (Works with Apple Find My), so it can also be found using the Find My app.
However, he only has Bluetooth, but not via UWB: It can therefore only be located roughly and not with centimeter accuracy. Like the AirTag, it can be “ringed” and then plays a tone, making it much easier to search nearby.
Advantages:
- practically without range limitation
- hole present
Disadvantages:
- no UWB for accurate nearby search
- rather uninteresting for Android users
Samsung SmartTag: Interesting for Samsung fans
Compatible with Samsung devices (Galaxy). The Korean company Samsung has also been at the start with a tracker since 2021: The product series is called SmartTag and currently consists of the SmartTag (Bluetooth LE, but no UWB) and SmartTag+ (with UWB). The basic properties are comparable to Apple’s AirTag: The battery (CR2032) can also be replaced here, and location is via Bluetooth LE (and UWB). If the tracker is out of wireless range, this will happen SmartThings Find Network which consists of over 200 million Samsung smartphones and tablets used worldwide (as of July 2022, Source: Samsung).
Advantages:
- practically without range limitation
- hole present
Disadvantages:
- only interesting for Samsung users
Tile: trackers in different formats
Compatible with Android and iOS. The American company tiles has been active on the market for around 10 years and describes itself as a “pioneer in the field of search technology”. Remarkable is the Choice of different formatsso are about one adhesive tracker (Stickers, look at Amazon) or a tracker in the credit card format (Slim, see on Amazon) available.
Advantages:
- practically without range limitation
- numerous models in different formats
- cross-platform compatible
Disadvantages:
- no UWB (as of February 2023)
- some features require paid subscription
UWB (Ultra Wide Band) for precise localization in close proximity has not yet been used in any of the Tile products. This feature was promised for the “Tile Ultra”, but despite the announcement for 2022 (Source: Tile) has not yet been released. Tile offers a paid service called Tile Premium at (Source: Tile), which costs 34.99 euros per year. This includes features such as intelligent notifications and free battery replacement.
