AirTags for Android: A Quick Guide to Pick Actually OK Bluetooth Trackers

Are there like AirTags for Android? This was the question I asked myself this past holiday season as I was desperately scraping the bottom of the barrel for gift ideas. You probably know the feeling, right?

Anyway, turns out there are a few AirTags alternatives for Android that do the trick.

PS: when looking in online stores for AirTags for Android, try searching for ‘Bluetooth trackers’ or even ‘Tile tracker alternatives’. After all, before AirTags launched (and what a wait that was!), Tile trackers were the original deal in Bluetooth trackers. 

Also, depending on what you might need to track, it’s also worth looking at traditional GPS trackers. Speaking from personal experience, if you need to track / supervise your dog, a person or a vehicle, a GPS tracker is what you need. Unlike an AirTag, GPS trackers use satellite connections to share real-time location data.

In my case, when my dog was lost I needed to search for him across farmland. Since AirTags only work in proximity to other iPhones, such a Bluetooth tracker would have been useless. I ended up settling on a Tractive GPS tracker, which had an ok device price, but unfortunately needs a subscription to work.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the AirTags alternatives for Android most similar to an AirTag – aka sleek small trackers that are cheap and can be attached to any spare set of keys or luggage.

Tile Trackers

You might not remember because it’s been a few years, but Tile trackers were actually the first popular Bluetooth trackers, and guess what? They’re still a great choice as an AirTag alternative for Android.

Personally, I love the fact that Tile Trackers come in more shapes than just the medallion. Tiles stickers are a super convenient way to track small items but I’d personally go for the Tile Mates essential pack that also has a card-shaped Bluetooth tracker. 

Tile vs AirTag – is there a difference? 

So, pricing wise, AirTags and Tile trackers are the same, give or take a few bucks depending on whether you get one or a multi-pack. What you do have to consider is that Tile trackers also come with an optional subscription, Tile Premium, which is about $3 per month. 

Also, Tile trackers have sort of an insurance plan that’s very comforting if you’re particularly prone to misplace things. 

The Tile Premium Protect plan, which is $99 per month, comes with a $1,000 reimbursement guaranteed if Tile cannot find your lost device. 

This program is available in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Luggage AirTags alternatives: Bluetooth trackers

Seriously though, luggage AirTags are the best thing since sliced bread, especially if you travel with low cost carriers who could not give a damn if your bag reaches the same destination as you.

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Samsung Galaxy SmartTags 2

My favorite choice outside Apple or Tile would be Samsung’s SmartTags thanks to their sleek design and, well, reputable brand.

Amazon is full of Bluetooth trackers but when it comes to tech, we always recommend going with the bigger brand. That way, you have a guarantee that they won’t go out of business tomorrow or pull support for their devices randomly.

Samsung’s Smart Tags are a competitively priced AirTags alternative for Android and have a battery life of up to 500 days.

When you activate Lost Mode, the SmartTag’s NFC will show your contact information and a custom message to whoever found your lost item, no matter if they have an Android phone or an iPhone.

Peepbo trackers as key finders or luggage trackers

All in all, if you’re looking for an AirTags alternative for Android, we’d only comfortably recommend Tile Trackers or SmartTags 2. 

Amazon is full of suggestions but, while you’d be saving a few dollars initially, there’s no guarantee that those lesser-known Bluetooth trackers will work. 

Still, if you’re strapped for cash and really need a cheap key finder or dongle for your luggage, the Peepbo trackers have that functionality at about half the price of an AirTag.

What do you think, which AirTag alternative for Android looks like the right fit for you?

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