How to Use Apple AirTag to Track Your Belongings: A Review of the Latest Bluetooth Tracker
If you are like most people, you probably have some items that you tend to misplace or lose frequently, such as your keys, wallet, backpack, or even your pet. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could easily find them with your smartphone, without having to search every corner of your house or retrace your steps? Well, that’s exactly what the Apple AirTag can do for you.
The Apple AirTag is a small and lightweight device that can help you locate your items using the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. It works with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to communicate with your Apple devices and show you the distance and direction to your missing item. It also uses augmented reality (AR) to visually guide you to your item’s location using your smartphone’s camera. And if your item is out of range, you can rely on the Find My network, which consists of hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world, to relay the location of your AirTag anonymously and securely to you.
In this article, we will review the Apple AirTag and show you how to use it to track your belongings. We will also compare it with other similar products, such as the Tile Mate and the Samsung SmartTag, and highlight its advantages and disadvantages.
How to Set Up and Use the Apple AirTag
Setting up the Apple AirTag is very easy and fast. All you need to do is:
- Pull out the tab from the AirTag to activate it.
- Bring it close to your iPhone or iPad and tap the Connect button on the screen.
- Name your AirTag after the item you want to track, such as Keys, Wallet, Backpack, etc.
- Register your AirTag to your Apple ID and enable the Lost Mode feature, which allows you to get notified when your AirTag is found by someone else.
- Attach your AirTag to your item using a key ring, a loop, or a case. You can also personalize your AirTag with a free engraving of your choice.
Once you have set up your AirTag, you can use the Find My app to locate it whenever you need to. You can do this in three ways:
- Play a sound: You can make your AirTag play a sound to help you find it if it is nearby. Just tap the Play Sound button in the Find My app and follow the sound.
- Precision Finding: You can use your iPhone 11 or 12 to get precise directions to your AirTag using UWB and AR. Just tap the Find button in the Find My app and follow the arrows and distance indicators on the screen. You will also get haptic feedback and sound cues to guide you.
- Lost Mode: You can activate the Lost Mode feature if your AirTag is out of range or you think it is lost or stolen. This will allow you to get notified when your AirTag is detected by the Find My network. You can also set a phone number and a message that will be displayed on the screen of any NFC-enabled smartphone that taps your AirTag, so that the finder can contact you.
How to Customize and Manage the Apple AirTag
You can customize and manage your AirTag using the Find My app. You can do things like:
- Rename your AirTag or change its emoji.
- Enable or disable the notifications for when your AirTag is nearby or separated from you.
- Check the battery level of your AirTag and replace it when needed. The AirTag uses a standard CR2032 battery that lasts for about a year and can be easily replaced by twisting the back cover.
- Remove your AirTag from your Apple ID if you want to stop using it or give it to someone else.
How the Apple AirTag Compares with Other Bluetooth Trackers
The Apple AirTag is not the only Bluetooth tracker on the market. There are other similar products, such as the Tile Mate and the Samsung SmartTag, that offer similar functionality. Here are some of the main differences between them:
- Price: The Apple AirTag costs $29 for one or $99 for a pack of four. The Tile Mate costs $25 for one or $60 for a pack of four. The Samsung SmartTag costs $30 for one or $50 for a pack of two.
- Design: The Apple AirTag is a round and flat device that measures 1.26 inches in diameter and 0.31 inches in thickness. It weighs 0.39 ounces and has a polished stainless steel back. The Tile Mate is a square and thin device that measures 1.38 inches in length and width and 0.24 inches in thickness. It weighs 0.25 ounces and has a hole for attaching it to items. The Samsung SmartTag is a square and thick device that measures 1.54 inches in length and width and 0.39 inches in thickness. It weighs 0.46 ounces and has a hole for attaching it to items.
- Compatibility: The Apple AirTag works with any iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.5 or later, or any Mac running macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later. It also works with any Apple Watch running watchOS 7.4 or later, or any iPod touch running iOS 14.5 or later. The Tile Mate works with any Android or iOS device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 or later. The Samsung SmartTag works with any Samsung Galaxy device running Android 8.0 or later with at least 2 GB of RAM.
- Technology: The Apple AirTag uses BLE and UWB technology to communicate with your Apple devices and show you the distance and direction to your item. It also uses AR to visually guide you to your item’s location using your smartphone’s camera. The Tile Mate uses BLE technology to communicate with your device and show you the approximate location of your item. It also uses sound to help you find your item. The Samsung SmartTag uses BLE technology to communicate with your device and show you the approximate location of your item. It also uses sound to help you find your item.
- Network: The Apple AirTag uses the Find My network, which consists of hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world, to anonymously and securely relay the location of your AirTag to you. The Tile Mate uses the Tile network, which consists of millions of Tile devices and partner products around the world, to anonymously and securely relay the location of your Tile to you. The Samsung SmartTag uses the SmartThings Find network, which consists of millions of Samsung Galaxy devices around the world, to anonymously and securely relay the location of your SmartTag to you.
- Features: The Apple AirTag has some features that the other trackers do not have, such as Precision Finding, AR Finding, and Lost Mode. It also has a built-in speaker that plays sounds to help you locate it. The Tile Mate has some features that the other trackers do not have, such as Smart Alerts, which notify you when you leave your item behind, and Community Find, which allows you to enlist the help of other Tile users to find your item. It also has a button that you can press to find your phone. The Samsung SmartTag has some features that the other trackers do not have, such as SmartThings integration, which allows you to control your smart home devices with your SmartTag, and One UI integration, which allows you to access your SmartTag settings from your Galaxy device.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag has some advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before buying it. Here are some of them:
Advantages:
- It has a sleek and elegant design that can be personalized with a free engraving.
- It has a long battery life that can last for about a year and can be easily replaced.
- It has a high accuracy and precision in locating your item, thanks to the UWB and AR technology.
- It has a large and secure network that can help you find your item anywhere in the world.
- It has a simple and intuitive setup and user interface that integrates seamlessly with your Apple devices and ecosystem.
Disadvantages:
- It does not have a hole or a loop for attaching it to items, so you need to buy a separate accessory for that.
- It does not have a button for finding your phone, so you need to use Siri or the Find My app for that.
- It is not compatible with non-Apple devices, so you need to have an iPhone or iPad to use it.
Conclusion
The Apple AirTag is a great device for anyone who wants to keep track of their belongings with ease and convenience. It offers a lot of features and benefits that make it stand out from other Bluetooth trackers. However, it also has some drawbacks that may limit its appeal for some users. If you are looking for a reliable and versatile tracker that works well with your Apple devices, the AirTag may be the right choice for you. If you are looking for a more affordable or flexible tracker that works with other devices, you may want to consider the Tile Mate or the Samsung SmartTag instead.
If you want to learn more about the Apple AirTag and other Bluetooth trackers, you can visit Review Ecstasy, a website that provides honest and unbiased reviews of various products and services. You can also find tips and guides on how to use and optimize your devices, as well as deals and discounts on the best products in the market. Review Ecstasy is your ultimate source of information and advice on everything related to technology, gadgets, and more. Check it out today and discover the best products for your needs.