Wallet, keys, phone, kids: Found with these trackers

By Kim Komando

October 22, 2024

© Ifeelstock | Dreamstime.com

My husband, Barry, loses track of everything. Well, he did until I AirTagged his life. That’s where Bluetooth trackers come in handy. These tiny devices attach to what you don’t want to lose, and they sync directly to your phone. The tracker shares its location when you can’t find it.

Here are 15 practical and creative ways you could use a tracker:

1. Keys: Attach one to your car or house keys to easily locate them.
2. Wallet or purse: Slip a tracker inside to find your wallet or bag if it’s misplaced.
3. Backpack: Perfect for keeping an eye on your kids (or your own bag) at school, work or while traveling.
4. Luggage: Track your suitcase during flights or other travel to ensure it doesn’t get lost.
5. Pet collar: Attach a tracker to your pet’s collar in case they wander off.
6. Bicycle or scooter: Hide a tracker on your bike or scooter to help recover it if it gets stolen.
7. Remote controls: Trackers are great for finding TV remotes that always seem to disappear.
8. Laptop or tablet case: Put a tracker in your device case for an extra layer of security.
9. Car: Leave one in your car to help you locate where you’ve parked.
10. Sports equipment: Use a tracker on expensive gear like golf bags or tennis rackets, especially if you leave them in public places.
11. Musical instruments: Attach one to your instrument’s case for quick tracking.
12. Tools or toolboxes: Keep track of your tools or toolkits, especially if you take them to different job sites.
13. Boat or kayak: Attach one to a paddle or other boat equipment for peace of mind on the water.
14. Toy or stuffed animal: Trackers are perfect for your kiddo’s fave toys … that they always seem to misplace.
15. Storage boxes: Attach trackers to storage containers with your holiday decorations, family heirlooms or off-season clothes.

Bluetooth is limited to the distance it can pair with your device. Today’s trackers tap into a network created by nearby phones and devices, so you can track something whether it’s in the next room or around the globe.

🍎 Team Apple

Apple AirTags are coin-sized tracking devices designed to help you locate lost items through Apple’s Find My network. It taps into hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world to anonymously detect and report the location of a tagged item.

Each AirTag has a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts over a year. AirTags only work with iOS devices. The cost? $24.99 for one (14% off) or $79.98 for a four-pack (19% off).

🤖 Team Android

You have way more options. My picks below work with most Android-based devices, including the Samsung Galaxy line and Google Pixels. (Yes, they work with iPhones, too, but I really think Apple owners should just stick with AirTags.)

Chipolo ONE: The coolest thing about these powerful little dots is their separation alerts — a phone notification that tells you when you’ve traveled at least 350 feet away from your tagged valuables (think leaving your bag behind at a coffee shop).

• Price: Snag a three-pack on sale for $64 or grab one for $25.
• Use it for: Essentials you want to keep nearby. The separation alert alone is a game‑changer.

Tile Mate: You’ve lost your phone and it’s on silent? No problem. Double-pressing the Tile will do what your partner calling your phone for the third time won’t — make your phone ring audibly. If it’s really lost, the good Samaritan who scans the QR code on your Tile can contact you.

• Price: Get a three-pack for $55.99 (20% off) or one for $18.99 (28% off!).
• Use it for: Saying, “Hey, Alexa, find my keys.” Besides your smartphone, it can connect with your smart home and virtual assistants, including Siri, Alexa and, of course, Google Assistant.

Pebblebee Clip: If you’re trying to find a lost item you know is outside your house, this is your best AirTag alternative. It has an impressive 500-foot range for Bluetooth tracking, and after that, it relies on crowd GPS (Android) or the Apple Find My app.

Translation? Other people’s phones will help track down where your lost item is — you know, versus when your device last “saw” it.

• Price: It’s $34.99 for one.
• Use it for: Luggage or flight-risk pets.

🌊 These trackers are all water-resistant, but I wouldn’t test that. Underwater is the wrong kind of syncing. (I know, I know … sorry.)

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Tags: Amazon, Android, Apple, Apple AirTags, Apple iPhone, battery, devices, Google, network, tracking