I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience or advice for Bluetooth trackers to use with Android phones. The missus is thinking of using some to track luggage for an upcoming trip.
Apple AirTags and Samsung Galaxy SmartTags aren't viable options, since we use Android devices not made by Samsung phones.
We're considering Tile or Pebblebee trackers. I've read some pros and cons of both, and would like to hear from anyone with firsthand experience to share. Thanks!
We found them (Android Pebblebee trackers) to be worthless.
Someone will surely pile on and say how good trackers are, confusing apple and android networks. I think the apple network for these might be rather good. The android not so much.
Tile gets good reviews on the NYT Wirecutter.
"Someone will surely pile on and say how good trackers are, confusing apple and android networks"
Hope I'm not "piling on" here
.. Most people are smart enough know what sort of phone they're using, and can tell the difference between iOS and Android (operating systems not networks).
Anyway, I have an Android phone and I use a Tile tracker, and finding quite useful. The thing to bear in mind is that its effectiveness is a function of the number of other Android devices in the vicinity with the Tile app and Bluetooth activated. But in an airport there will be enough of these devices in proximity for it to be effective.
I too have a Tile. I have a Samsung Galaxy 21. My tile lives in my suitcase, so I'm not tracking it unless I travel. The few times I've tested it out to see if it will tell me where it is (I've done this at home and the airport) it had no trouble locating it. Luckily I have not needed to use it to find a lost bag.
Also, I think there are more Android devices than iPhones in Europe, so I wouldn't anticipate an issue with there not being enough of them around.
Thanks for the replies so far!
It's encouraging to hear that Tile is still a viable option. I read remarks elsewhere that suggested the number of Tile users was getting smaller, which would impact the ability to detect them.
The impression I get of Pebblebee is that the hardware is good, but it's let down by weaknesses with Google's Find My Device network.
Hopefully someone steps up with a better solution for Android to compete with AirTags. Thanks again!
Yes I do too! British Airways recently lost my bike for 2 weeks - it never left the originating airport apparently, and I ended up buying another one to complete my tour. A tracker would have been nice, but I am as confused as ever as to how they actually work with android. Many people just use AirTags with their iPhones, which are obviously not the same thing; but I hear over and over again how I should just get an iPhone, which I am not doing, and neither are millions of other people.
If anybody really knows, and can give detailed explanations, it would help a lot of us android people.
