Ever got ready to leave the house for work on time, only to discover that your keys aren't by the front door? Yup, that’s probably most of us. And we know it can be infuriating hunting around for them knowing that the clock's ticking away.
If you spend too much time looking for things, a Bluetooth tracker can be a total gamechanger. But what are they exactly? And how do they work? Let's find out…
What is a Bluetooth tracker?
Bluetooth item trackers are nifty little devices you can attach to your valuables — like a set of keys, your wallet, a bag, or a laptop — to help you find them if they ever get misplaced. This makes them a must-have if you go travelling on the reg and want to reduce the risk of losing your luggage. Or if you're just forgetful in general!
How do Bluetooth trackers work?
Bluetooth trackers work by connecting to your phone or tablet using, you guessed it — Bluetooth. You can then use an app to find the location of the belonging you've attached the tracker to. Most Bluetooth trackers can also make a loud sound to help you locate your missing item — handy if your wallet's hiding under the sofa.
Because Bluetooth's range is limited to around 60 metres , some trackers are made just for finding stuff around the home or in your office at work. But a popular tracker like the Apple AirTag uses the Find My network — made up from millions of Apple devices all over the world. This means they can be detected almost anywhere, as long as other Apple gadgets are nearby.
Who makes Bluetooth item trackers?
Loads of tech brands now make Bluetooth trackers to help you keep an eye on where your valuables are. Here are some of the most well-known, which you can find at Currys:
- Apple AirTag: If you own an iPhone or iPad, you can easily keep track of your stuff with an AirTag and the Find My app. It'll point you in the right direction and even tell you how far away your lost item is. The battery lasts over a year and is a doddle to replace, and you won't have to worry if it gets wet thanks to an IP67 water resistance rating.
- Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2: Samsung's answer to the AirTag works with devices in the Galaxy family. Your tagged item shows up on a map in the SmartThings Find app so you can easily find it. And the tracker even has a Lost Mode, which will display your contact info on the phone of whoever's found your missing item — helping you get reunited even faster!
- Eufy SmartTrack Link: This affordable tracker works with Apple devices and Eufy's Security app, which drops alerts to tell you if you're straying too far from your tracked items. That way, you won't lose them in the first place. And if you've lost your connected phone, just double tap the tracker to make it ring — even if it's on silent mode.
How do you prevent unwanted tracking?
While Bluetooth tracking devices are amazing at helping you find your personal items, you might not want your location accessible to other people. But you can rest easy. Apple and Google have recently worked together on an industry standard that alerts iPhone and Android users when a device is being used to track them.
Regardless of whether the tracker has been connected with an Android or iPhone mobile, users on both operating systems will get a "Found Moving With You" notification to alert them. As long as they're running on iOS 17.5 or Android 6 and up.
What items do people lose the most?
According to Chipolo, the five items most people in both the UK and US lose are keys, wallets, phones, TV remotes, and glasses. In fact, over 71% of Americans lose their TV remote at least once a month! So, if you’re fed up endless searching, we’d recommend grabbing some Bluetooth trackers now. You’ll thank us later!
Which item do you reckon you lose most often? Let us know in the comments!
