Question Which Bluetooth trackers (airtags equivalent) have the broadest network on Android?

[Vcize]

I'm looking for an Airtags equivalent on Android. My main and #1 priority is the network size and the likelihood that someone whose phone will ping it will walk by if it's lost.

I saw Google released Find my device which works with Chippolo/Pebblebee. So are those instantly the largest networks now ahead of the Samsung SmartThings and Tile networks, or is that something that only works with users that have downloaded a find my device app?

 

[VidJunky]

I guess the question is what are you trying to track? You start off talking about Airtags, which is a device you would attach to something but then mention Find my Device, which would locate your registered device no attached device needed.

What device do you have? Google's Find my Device is a good app if you have something other than a Samsung. If you have a Samsung device Find my Mobile is a better option. It offers more options than Find my Device and is powered by Samsung, an industry leading device manufacturer with millions of devices in the field.

As for the tags you've mentioned, I don't know how popular Tile is these days with so many others in this field now, and with more and more people buying into ecosystems. You can still find tests and trials on YouTube for all of these devices. Not long ago I saw a string of videos showing Samsung's Smart Tags being sent to remote no where places and still being found. I've seen similar videos for Airtags, that were crushed in junk cars being sent to China.

I will say that as a former Tile user, I like my Smart Tags better. That's me and this is going to be a personal thing for each person, how they use their tags, and what their expectations are. Unless you plan to get a device with it's own cellular service they are all dependent on other devices, in areas with cellular service. If you're trying to keep track of your device I will say this about Find my Mobile, Samsung is claiming to be able to track devices that are powered off. I don't know if this is only certain devices, or how they are able to do this but it is an option that they released a couple of years ago and that users have to opt into for it to work.

Tell what you're trying to track, an object with a tag or a standalone device, like a phone, tablet or watch, and I'm sure the community will share our stories with you. In the meantime, I would direct you to YouTube where you can see all of these systems at work and get a feel for what your purpose would be and which it would fit best into.

 

[Vcize]

I guess the question is what are you trying to track? You start off talking about Airtags, which is a device you would attach to something but then mention Find my Device, which would locate your registered device no attached device needed.

What device do you have? Google's Find my Device is a good app if you have something other than a Samsung. If you have a Samsung device Find my Mobile is a better option. It offers more options than Find my Device and is powered by Samsung, an industry leading device manufacturer with millions of devices in the field.

As for the tags you've mentioned, I don't know how popular Tile is these days with so many others in this field now, and with more and more people buying into ecosystems. You can still find tests and trials on YouTube for all of these devices. Not long ago I saw a string of videos showing Samsung's Smart Tags being sent to remote no where places and still being found. I've seen similar videos for Airtags, that were crushed in junk cars being sent to China.

I will say that as a former Tile user, I like my Smart Tags better. That's me and this is going to be a personal thing for each person, how they use their tags, and what their expectations are. Unless you plan to get a device with it's own cellular service they are all dependent on other devices, in areas with cellular service. If you're trying to keep track of your device I will say this about Find my Mobile, Samsung is claiming to be able to track devices that are powered off. I don't know if this is only certain devices, or how they are able to do this but it is an option that they released a couple of years ago and that users have to opt into for it to work.

Tell what you're trying to track, an object with a tag or a standalone device, like a phone, tablet or watch, and I'm sure the community will share our stories with you. In the meantime, I would direct you to YouTube where you can see all of these systems at work and get a feel for what your purpose would be and which it would fit best into.

Thanks for the reply.

I am trying to track a tag (attached to some object). For instance I am traveling to Europe, and want to put one in my luggage. I also want to put one on my keychain to keep track of my keys. That kind of thing.

With airtags' network, if I had an iphone (I don't) and my luggage or keys were misplaced during my trip I feel pretty confident there would be an iPhone near enough that I would be able to find it with the airtag. I'm basically looking for the closest thing to that kind of confidence I can find on Android.

 

[VidJunky]

Again I would urge you to watch some videos on YouTube where people are demoing both devices. While I haven't looked for it, I'm sure there is at least one video where the two are compared side by side. I can understand your wanting the best most accurate device for this task but I feel you are way overthinking this and possibly stressing over nickels and dimes. Both Apple and Samsung sell millions of devices around the world and the odds of there not being one or the other near an area are slim to none. The location would play more of a role with this than the device. I want to say that Apple is a device that would be found in more affluent areas and Samsung makes some pretty inexpensive devices that are more likely to be found in all areas and therefore more likely to be useful if the tag ends up in BFE but I've seen everyone from street people to the wealthy with both devices. This is where you turn to the real world demonstrations by content creators to see performance.

Here is an article that compares the two.

Samsung and Apple Both Offer Luggage Trackers. Which Is More Accurate?

Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 and the Apple AirTag compared when tracking luggage on a recent trip to Japan.

www.afar.com

Here is a video comparing AirTag, Tile, and SmartTag2.

Both are fairly recent.

Best wishes and good luck.