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Do AirTags work with Android? Here's what you need to know
Bluetooth trackers like the Apple AirTag are an excellent way to keep track of things you might lose easily or don’t want to misplace — your keys, wallet, backpack, luggage, and more. It’s an Apple product, so it’s no surprise that AirTags are already one of the most popular trackers you can get, even if we’re only months away from Google’s Find My Device network. But do AirTags work with Android? Here’s everything you need to know.
QUICK ANSWER
Yes and no, AirTags only have limited functionality on Android. You can't use AirTags to track your own objects on Android, so there's no reason to buy one for your own use. However, you can find an AirTag's owner information and Android will automatically detect nearby ones to ensure you're not being tracked without your consent.
If you're worried about someone using an AirTag to track you, Apple has also released an app on the Play Store to scan your surroundings for one. Keep reading to learn more
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Can you use AirTags with Android?
Unfortunately, AirTags do not work with Android, at least in the way it was intended. While AirTags use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with your smartphone, it relies on Apple’s Find My network to provide an accurate location. The AirTag doesn’t only send out a signal to your iPhone but to every iPhone nearby. The other phones also upload your tag’s location to the cloud, letting you see its last known location. If you lose something with an AirTag attached, Apple uses this Find My network to provide accurate location info.
iPhones with the U1 chip get even more precision, with location guidance accuracy down to inches thanks to Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. The iPhone 11 and newer, except the SE models, come with the U1 chip.
Apple is trying to fix some security concerns around AirTags, and that’s where the Android app comes in. While you can’t use AirTags on Android to track it, the Tracker Detect on the Google Play Store can scan for AirTags near you. You can use the app if you’re suspicious that someone is using an AirTag to track you.
What are the best AirTags alternatives for Android?
Even though AirTags don’t work with Android, excellent alternatives are available but they’re just a few weeks out of reach. After years of anticipation, Google has finally announced its own Find My Device network. Similar to Apple’s network, it will rely on millions of Android phones to help you locate a lost tracker. The location data is encrypted and anonymized, so you won’t know who helped locate your tracker nor will device owners know that they helped you. Once again, this is the exact same method used by Apple’s AirTags.
Google's new Find My Device platform is just as functional and magical as Apple's network.
If you don’t want to pick between Google or Apple’s ecosystem, Tile makes Bluetooth trackers that work with all Android smartphones and Apple devices. It’s an excellent choice if you want to avoid getting locked into an ecosystem but keep in mind that Tile doesn’t benefit from the same worldwide reach of Google and Apple. Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTags are another great choice, allowing you to benefit from the ubiquity of Samsung Galaxy phones around the world.
We expect many Find My Device-capable trackers to go on sale in the second half of 2024, with Chipolo and Pebblebee committed for a launch as early as May.
Chipolo Point One
Chipolo may not be a household name, but it’s one of the most cost-effective yet feature-packed options on the market. We reviewed the company’s tracker favorably as an AirTag alternative for Apple’s Find My network and the company has now announced a variant for Android users.
With support for Google’s new Find My Device network, the Chipolo One Point gets you the best object tracking experience on Android. It comes with a replaceable battery and IPX5 rating and doesn’t break the bank at $28 a pop. You can also buy a 4-pack for $79, which makes it cheaper than the AirTag.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag Plus
The Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag Plus are trackers that work exclusively with Samsung smartphones as long as they run Android 8.0 Oreo and have at least 2GB of RAM. Like the AirTag uses Apple’s Find My network, the SmartTags use the Galaxy Find network. It’s understandably accurate because of how many people own Samsung smartphones, so finding the SmartTag shouldn’t be difficult, especially with its range of 390 feet.
The SmartTag Plus steps things up with ultra-wideband and uses AR to find the exact location of the tracker within a few inches. However, you can only use this feature with Samsung phones that support UWB, which includes newer Samsung flagships. If you don’t have a Samsung flagship, you’re better off getting the cheaper SmartTags instead.
