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AirTag-like trackers for Android phones are finally here
The Google Find My Device update is rolling out, and Android users finally have an AirTag alternative
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The rollout of Google’s Find My Device network has been sluggish, to say the least. Announced more than a year ago, Google’s updated tracking network should work in a similar way to Apple’s Find My network when it’s fully rolled out, letting Android users call on the billions of Android devices worldwide to help them track down their lost stuff.
While people can now track their headphones, earbuds and tablets inside the Find My Device app, we’re still waiting for tech firms to release Bluetooth trackers, on the level of Apple’s AirTag. Brands including Eufy, Chipolo and Pebblebee have launched item trackers that support Google’s Find My Device network, they aren’t as smart as Apple’s AirTag, which has ultra-wideband (UWB) tech inside for really precise tracking.
But in June, Motorola revealed it was answering Android user’s prayers. The tech firm unveiled a Bluetooth tracker of its own, filled with the ultra-wideband smarts that many Android users were hoping for. Essentially working like an AirTag for Android devices, you’re able to track down your lost items with precise turn-by-turn directions thanks to the inclusion of ultra-wideband in the Moto Tag (if your phone has a UWB chip).
Even designed like the AirTag, Motorola says it will fit inside third-party AirTag cases already on the market. There are features on the Moto Tag that don’t even appear on Apple’s AirTag, such as reverse finding. Android users will no longer feel left out when they see their iPhone friends pinging their wallets from across the room. Here’s how to buy the Moto Tag, plus other AirTag alternatives for Android devices.
Motorola moto tag: £29.99, Amazon.co.uk
The moto tag is the most AirTag-like Bluetooth tracker announced for Google’s Find My Device network. As well as being able to call on the billions of Android devices to pinpoint its exact location, the moto tag also features UWB tech. When paired with a UWB-supported Android phone, you’ll be able to utilise precision tracking to get exact turn-by-turn directions to your stuff.
Do note though that Google’s Find My Device doesn’t currently support UWB, so even with this feature, you won’t be able to get precise directions to your stuff until Google finishes its Find My Device rollout and toggles UWB on.
The really neat thing about the device is that it features a dedicated multifunctional button. Press it once to ring your smartphone if it’s ever lost. It also doubles up as a capture button for taking pictures on your Android phone. It has a one-year battery life, is water resistant and can fit into most third-party accessories.
The moto tag has proven popular and is drifting in and out of stock at Motorola and Amazon. It costs £34.99 for a single tag, but you can also get it as a pack of four (£118.40, Amazon.co.uk).
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2: £19.85, Amazon.co.uk
While we wait for Google to roll out the Find My Device update with all the UWB features and full Bluetooth tracker support, Samsung owners will want to take a look at the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2. Complete with UWB tech, this device relies on its own Samsung Find network, rather than the global Android Find My Device network, essentially calling on every Samsung device to help you locate your things.
That means you don’t have to wait for Google to finish rolling out Find My Device to take advantage of a Bluetooth tracker that works like an AirTag (if you’re a Samsung Galaxy owner, at least). It has a 500-day battery and features a compass mode that will get you precise turn-by-turn directions directly to your stuff if it’s ever lost.
Chipolo one point: From £30, Chipolo.net
The Chipolo one point is the device most similar to the Tile Mate or the Tile Pro. It’s a round disc with a keyring hole for easy attachment to your keys. It works with Google’s Find My Device app, letting you see your item’s live location thanks to the power of millions of other Android devices, ring the tracker and see distance hints. It Features a loud 120dB speaker, a replaceable CR 2032 battery and IPX5 water resistance. It doesn’t have any UWB tech, however, so doesn’t support precision finding like the AirTag.
It can be purchased as a one-pack (£30, Chipolo.net) or a four-pack (£89, Chipolo.net). The company also sells a bundle of two Chipolo One Points and one Chipolo Card Point (£80, Chipolo.net).
Chipolo card point: From £35, Chipolo.net
If you want a Bluetooth tracker that will slot neatly into your wallet or purse, the Chipolo card point is the tracker for you. Much like the one point, it works exclusively with the Google Find My Device ecosystem, utilising the millions of Android devices to help pinpoint your wallet. You can see the location on the in-app map, ping it so it plays a sound and see distance hints. It doesn’t have any UWB tech, however, so doesn’t support precision finding like the AirTag.
It’s 2.4mm thick, has a (slightly quieter) 105dB speaker and has an IPX5 waterproof rating. However, there’s no reusable battery in this one, but it is rated to last up to two years and is eligible for Chipolo’s renew and reuse programme, meaning you can replace it after two years for half the price.
You can get it as a one-pack (£35, Chipolo.net), two-pack (£60, Chipolo.net) or pack of four (£112, Chipolo.net). And, of course, there’s the same bundle containing two Chipolo one points and one Chipolo card point (£80, Chipolo.net) available.
Eufy smarttrack link: £19.99, Eufy.com
Best known for its home security cameras and robot vacuum cleaners, tech brand Eufy recently launched its own key finder to rival Tile and Chipolo.
The smarttrack link is a small, square-shaped keyring that closely resembles the identically priced Tile mate, but with a grippier design and a replaceable CR2032 coin battery. It’s also compatible with the iPhone’s Find My network.
The device has a loud alarm, works at ranges up to 80m and is water resistant. At £19.99, it’s also one of the cheapest key finders on the market. It doesn’t have any UWB tech, however, so doesn’t support precision finding like the AirTag.
Pebblebee tag for Android: £29, Pebblebee.com
The Pebblebee tag is the company’s Google-y answer to Tile’s sticker. It has an adhesive that you can attach to remotes or your luggage and comes with an LED light so you can see it in the dark. Unlike the Tile sticker, the Pebblebee tag is USB-C rechargeable, and it lasts eight months on a single charge. It has a range of 300ft, has a loud melody and is IPX6 water resistant. It doesn’t have any UWB tech, so doesn’t support precision finding like the AirTag.
You can buy the Pebblebee Tag as a one-pack (£29, Pebblebee.com), two-pack (£53, Pebblebee.com) and four-pack (£98, Pebblebee.com).
Pebblebee clip for Android: £25, Pebblebee.com
The clip is Pebblebee’s answer to the Tile pro, it runs on rechargeable batteries, so you plug it into a USB-C cable when it runs out of juice (estimated to last 12 months). There’s a keyring hole on the side for easy attachment and LED lights so you can easily spot it in the dark. It has a 500ft Bluetooth range, IPX6 water resistance and weighs 8g. It doesn’t have any UWB tech, so doesn’t support precision finding like the Apple AirTag.
It’s cheaper than the Chipolo one point, and it can be bought as a pack of one (£25, Pebblebee.com), two-pack (£45, Pebblebee.com) and four-pack (£81, Pebblebee.com).
Pebblebee card for Android: £29, Pebblebee.com
And lastly, there’s the Pebblebee card, which can be easily slotted into a wallet or purse. It’s rated to last up to 18 months on a single charge before needing to be recharged and has LED lights, a speaker and works with Google’s Find My network of devices. Again, there’s no UWB tech, so there’s no precision finding.
You can buy it as a one-pack (£29, Pebblebee.com), two-pack (£53, Pebblebee.com) and a four-pack (£98, Pebblebee.com).
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Want to find out how Tile trackers compare to the Apple AirTag? Check out our comparison