The main reason AirTags are such effective location trackers-and why an iPhone user should choose them over a Tile device, especially when traveling internationally-is because AirTags leverage Apple’s extensive Find My network, which has far more users than the Tile network.Īpple says that close to 1 billion Apple devices-including everything from iPhones to MacBooks to iPads-are opted in to its Find My network. They’re easy to set up, simple to report missing, and small enough to slip into any type of checked luggage. (After about 15 minutes, the Tile app reflected my bag’s actual location at Terminal 5.)īoth the AirTag and Tile Mate were effective in my testing. Tile’s location tracking left something to be desired, but the Tile app did detect that my Tile Mate ended up in Los Angeles … just several miles from the airport. And both the AirTag and the Tile Mate (eventually) detected when my suitcase landed at LAX.īut Apple’s Find My app for iPhones tracked my AirTag’s location almost in real time-I checked the app as soon as I landed in Los Angeles, and it almost instantly showed that my suitcase was at LAX. The good news: Both trackers sent me notifications via my iPhone when my suitcase was no longer within Bluetooth range, as I made my way from the airline bag drop-off to the TSA pre-check line. The Apple AirTag (left) and Tile Mate (right) don’t take up any space in your suitcase-and they can help ensure your bag doesn’t get lost at the airport. And though privacy concerns are important to keep in mind, when AirTags are used for their intended purpose, they are the most effective way to find your lost stuff. In other words, using an AirTag or Tile to track your luggage does not tangibly increase your chances of being tracked unknowingly. In those instances, it was reported that an AirTag was planted on a person’s belongings to gain knowledge of their whereabouts, rather than someone using the person’s own tracker. You may have read that AirTags have been used to track people without their consent. Bluetooth trackers offer some peace of mind-and, yes, Apple’s AirTag is the best one. But if I’m forced to gate-check my carry-on, or if I’m traveling for longer than a week and need to check larger luggage, I want to be prepared for the worst. It’s one of the reasons I avoid checking a bag, if I can help it. No one wants to be the person standing forlornly at baggage claim waiting for a suitcase that never arrives. That way, you can see where your suitcase is throughout your trip-even if the airline loses your bag and can’t track it down. Try keeping tabs on your luggage with a Bluetooth tracker. But, thankfully, there’s at least one way to take some control amid the chaos. Air travel can get messy, especially in the busy summer travel season, when delays and cancellations can derail a vacation.
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