Tile tracker for sale: Tile Tracker Deals I Found The BEST PRICES on Tile Trackers!

Apple AirTags vs Tile tracker

This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.

In the realm of item tracking, Tile is likely the most well-known Bluetooth tracker. With a plethora of models to choose from and compatibility across devices, Tile has made it easy to locate items at various price points. Now Apple is in the item-tracking game with the $29 AirTag — and features like Precision Finding and Apple integration make it competitive against Tile.

Both use Bluetooth for tracking and connect to a network of other devices, which work to pinpoint locations. Tile has a network made up of millions of devices, while Apple uses its far-reaching Find My network, approaching a billion devices. Neither feature GPS and rely on the connected devices to assign that location as the Bluetooth signal is picked up.

The core difference is the size of each respective network, and it gives a reason for Tile to have some concern. Let’s break down the biggest pros and cons of each tracker.

Apple Airtag

You should get an AirTag if you have an iPhone and want an item tracker. AirTag integrates directly into Find My and is simple to use. Those with an iPhone 11 or newer will get to take advantage of Precision Finding as well.

$29 at Apple

$29 at Amazon

Tile Tracker

Those who primarily use Android (or who prefer an agnostic OS approach) should opt for a Tile. You get to pick from four designs and will appreciate the built-in functionality. And while the network is smaller, it’s still an accurate way to track items.

$25 at Tile

$25 at Amazon

Jacob Krol/CNN

cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/paragraph_FA1CEDA0-1F80-2172-1878-3E3F1439AEBA@published” data-editable=”text” data-component-name=”paragraph”>
It pays to go with AirTag if you have an iPhone. The setup happens in just under a minute, and no heavy lifting is required. You also don’t need to make an account since the tracker is tied directly to your Apple ID. The whole experience lives within the Find My app, making it easy to see your AirTag and other devices that support Find My. It’s the same way you’d track a Mac, Apple Watch, iPad or even AirPods. The experience is straightforward and intuitive.

Within the Find My app, you tap the Items tab to see all of your AirTags on a map and easily ping them. It’s all built in to the point that you can even ask Siri where one is or create a shortcut to access it easily. With Tile, you’ll need to open the Tile app, and it’s just a bit more clunky. And with standard tracking on a map, AirTags have tended to be more accurate than a Tile tracker. Apple’s network is made up of all the iPhones, iPads, Macs and iPod Touches online — that total number is approaching a billion. It’s a more extensive network over Tile’s, which is in the millions.

If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, you’ll get to use Precision Finding with AirTag. Essentially, when you’re looking for an AirTag and you have a general idea of where it is, you can click Find in the app for the respective tag and get turn-by-turn directions to it. Distance away in feet and arrows on the screen will help guide you to the tracker, and it all updates in real time.

Precision Finding is made possible by Apple’s U1 Chip, which delivers ultra-wideband support. The newer iPhones listed above support this and can use it to see where the devices are, spatially. It also uses a range of other tech (ARKit, Bluetooth and sensors) to enable this feature. It’s something that Tile cannot match yet, as it doesn’t feature ultra-wideband.

There is only one AirTag to pick from, and its design functionality is a bit limited. It’s a small circular disc that features no adhesive padding or even a key ring hole. Luckily, it does feature a user-replaceable battery that should last for a year. You will need to purchase an accessory, like a key ring for $35 from Apple or $12.95 from Belkin, to secure it onto something.

Jacob Krol/CNN

If you’re looking for broad compatibility, Tile is the winner with Android, iOS and Windows support. Some devices like headphones and laptops even come with Tile tracking built in out of the box. Setup is done through the Tile app and requires Bluetooth pairing. It’s easy enough but not integrated on the base software level like AirTags.

Regardless of which Tile you choose, you’ll have an easy way to attach it to something out of the box. That’s something that the AirTag can’t match and requires you to purchase an accessory. And Tile offers a few models, which, while confusing, does give you more choice. You also get the advantage of pushing a button on a Tile to ring your connected device. It’s pretty handy and has helped us find our phone.

Tile Sticker

This is the smallest Tile and is a black circle with a way to attach out of the box. You can use the adhesive back side. It features a standard Bluetooth range, and the battery cannot be replaced.

$25 at Amazon

From $30 at Tile

Tile Slim

The Slim fits perfectly into a wallet, with a design that mimics two stacked credit cards. Like the Sticker, the battery cannot be replaced and you’ll need to buy a new tracker when the battery runs dry.

$30
$28 at Amazon

From $35 at Tile

Tile Mate

The original Tile is now the Mate, and it features a user-replaceable battery. It keeps the classic square design that is splash-resistant against water and has a built-in key ring hole.

$25 at Amazon

$25 at Tile

Tile Pro

Tile Pro builds off the Mate with a rugged build and long-range Bluetooth. It sports a user-replaceable battery and a key ring hole. Additionally, the speaker inside can produce a louder tone, which is helpful for finding.

$35
$26 at Amazon

From $35 at Tile

And like AirTag (and Samsung’s SmartTag or Chipolo), the same basic technology for tracking is Bluetooth. Essentially, the tracker can connect with other devices on Tile’s network, which works to pinpoint a location to your tracker. The key issue is that Tile’s network is much smaller and relies on Tile devices or those with the app. It’s in the millions, while Apple’s is approaching a billion.

You’ll still be able to spot your tracker on a map, though, and you can even set alerts if you’re on Tile Premium. The latter is a subscription service (starting at $30 per year) that can deliver smart alerts if you leave something behind as well as make your Tile eligible for a battery replacement. It’s not really a requirement and doesn’t boost the network in a way that levels the playing field against AirTag, however.

The core promises of the AirTag and Tile trackers are pretty much the same. You’ll be able to locate each tracker on a map with relative ease via your smartphone. Tile wins in the design category, with multiple models to pick from that feature a way to attach out of the box. And if you’re on a device besides an iPhone, Tile is the obvious choice since AirTag doesn’t support anything besides Apple.

But if you have an iPhone, the answer is to get an AirTag. The integration makes setup a breeze, and all controls are found in the Find My app. You can even ask Siri on an iPhone or HomePod Mini to find the tracker. The Find My network covers more territory and is more accurate in our testing for item finding. That trend continues with more congruent tracking through Precision Finding if you have a newer iPhone. You will need to pair your $29 AirTag with an accessory, though.

Track Your Family, Friends, Keys, Wallets, and More

All in one place

Call off the search party.

Because everything (and everyone) is in one place — your Life360 map. When you link your Life360 and Tile accounts, your whole Circle can see your Tiles and quickly find lost items.

Find it all

Ring your Tiles through the Life360 app.

Keys in the couch cushions? Wallet in the… fridge? Really? Use your phone to ring nearby Tiles — and use your Tiles to ring your phone, even if it’s on silent.

Bluetooth signal

Work the network.

All Tiles emit a secure Bluetooth signal. So when a phone with the Tile app passes by your lost item, you’ll get a location update — automatically and anonymously.

Dark purple arrow pointing up

Save up to 44% by switching to annual plans.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• 2 days Location History
• 2 places with Unlimited Alert
• Family Driving Summary
• SOS Help Alert

Most popular

Includes Tile Mate*
A $25 VALUE

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• 30 days Location History
• Unlimited Place Alerts
• $25K Stolen Funds Reimbursement
• $250 Stolen Phone Protection

Includes Tile Starter Pack*

A $55 VALUE

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• 30 days Location History
• 50 miles Free towing
• $1M Stolen Funds Reimbursement
• $500 Stolen Phone Protection

Tile Mate

Attach Mate to everyday things like keys and bags, and use our free app to find them. Keep track of more for less with our multi-packs or give them to your friends and family as a gift.

Up to 250 ft / 76 m Bluetooth range

Up to 3-year non-replaceable battery

Water resistant

Works with Android™ and Apple® devices

Voice-assisted finding with Alexa, Google and Siri

Tile Starter Pack

A selection of Tiles to help keep track of many different things. Keep track of more for less with our multi-packs or give them to your friends and family as a gift.

Up to 250 ft / 76 m Bluetooth range

Up to 3-year non-replaceable battery

Water resistant

Works with Android™ and Apple® devices

Voice-assisted finding with Alexa, Google and Siri

Privacy and security

Your trust comes first.

A big part of that is doing the right thing when no one’s watching. That means maintaining our commitment to investing in features that enhance your customer experience while staying focused on your privacy and security. That includes features like Scan and Secure that allows you to easily scan and detect unknown Tiles that may be traveling with you.

Learn more

Get started right here, right now.

See everyone and everything you love in one place — in just a few steps.

1

Not a Life360 member? Get the app!

2

Activate your Tiles in the Tile app

3

Link your Life360 and Tile accounts in the Life360 app

4

See your Tiles on your Life360 map

Get a free Tile with a Life360 premium membership. Limited time only.

Pick your plan

*One time offer per user for both monthly and annual memberships. See full Terms & Conditions.

Tile tracker adds a new undetectable mode, claims to help victims of stalking

Launched a new Anti-Theft mode for Tile trackers that completely prevents them from being detected by anyone other than the user if the owner has registered a photo ID in companies.

All of the recent attention to the capabilities of small tracking devices has come from Apple’s launch of their AirTags and all the built-in anti-surveillance features. However, in the security dispute, longtime tracking company Tile announced that it would be adding some anti-harassment measures.

A year later, these small initial measures were added to, and Tile at the same time also stated that Apple’s security measures actually reduced the effectiveness of the use of trackers for security.

“Unlike other Bluetooth trackers on the market, namely AirTags,” the company said in a press release, “Tile does not notify nearby smartphone users when an unknown Bluetooth tracker travels with them.”

“Some competitor products go so far as to beep as soon as the tracker is separated from its owner,” he continues, “letting it know that the tracker is present and allowing thieves to pinpoint it.”

New anti-theft mode

This horn requires a speaker in the device, and whether Tile should have had this feature before or not, it cannot now retroactively add it to the millions of existing devices.

So Tile’s initial response to the stalking controversy was to create an app called Scan and Secure, which allowed iPhone and Android users to scan nearby Tile trackers – as soon as they suspected they were present.

However, the new release of Tile adds an additional anti-theft mode that specifically prevents something from being detected by the same application.

“This is achieved by keeping Tile Bluetooth trackers running in anti-theft mode from being detected by scanning and protection,” the press release says. Tile users can enable Anti-Theft on any Tile tracker they use, including Tile-enabled partner products.”

Tile CEO Chris Hulls argues on his blog that there are reasons the company is “taking a different approach.”

“When news of the risks of harassment associated with the use of Bluetooth trackers exploded,” writes Tile, “Tile immediately took action to create protection for consumers, even those who are not our customers.”

Describing the “well-intentioned but hasty changes made by Apple, us at Tile and others”, he claims that “current anti-retaliation features barely work. ”

“In order to better deter harassment, we need to increase the likelihood that stalkers get caught and then greatly increase the consequences when they are caught,” says Hulls. “Today, the punishment for stalking is often a slap in the face.”

Tile solves the stalking problem

By default, Tile trackers remain discoverable by Scan and Secure. If someone wants to enable the new Anti-Theft mode, they must:

Provide government-issued ID to verify your identity. Allow Tile to share data with law enforcement. Agree to pay $1 million if they are later found guilty of stalking using Tile devices.

The tile does not indicate who will receive the $1 million. While this “significantly increases the consequences” for the stalker, it’s less clear how it increases the likelihood of being caught in any way.

Presumably they are supposed to be traceable via this government ID, just like Apple can trace AirTags back to their owners. However, this only works at best when the victim physically discovers the tile.

Even in this case, it is unclear whether the victim can do anything. It appears that Thile’s efforts are focused on fining the stalker as soon as everyone else, from the victim through law enforcement and the courts, finds them.

Hulls also undermines the apparent benefit of being able to hide Tile devices from Tile’s own scanning and protection feature, saying the firm is “shocked” at how little it is used.

“Out of our millions of active Tile users, we see this feature being used an average of 52 times per day across our entire iOS and Android user base – that’s not a typo!” He says.

However, this suggests that users are either unaware of this feature or have no reason at all to suspect they are being tracked.

The new Tile Anti-Theft Mode has begun rolling out to users and should be available to all customers within a few weeks.

Tags:

iOSiPhone

Ampere Vent Glace → Pomeranian

Amper Vent Gleys

Edit →

Editing on our site is available only to registered users.

You must
to come in
or
get registered.

Pedigree

Show/hide photo

3

4

5

6