AirTags have NFC chips that can be read by Android phones that support NFC. Android cannot be paired with AirTag, but once the owner has put the AirTag in “Lost Mode,” Android can retrieve the owner’s information. In this piece, you’ll find all the information you need to know about how AirTags work with Android phones.
In addition, we’ve explained what to do if you find an item with an AirTag connected. Also, if you want to buy a tracking device, we discuss the pros and cons of AirTags and Tile, a similar product.
Do AirTags Work With Android Phones?
They do, yes. If you find an AirTag and the owner has put it in “Lost Mode,” you can read it with an Android phone with NFC and can read AirTags. Do the following to help get the item back to its owner:
- Put your Android phone’s back on the white side of the AirTag.
- Click the message that shows up on your screen.
- There will be information about the AirTag, like its serial number, on a website that will soon go live.
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- You might see a message from the owner telling you how to contact them.
Can I Pair My AirTags With My Android?
AirTags aren’t currently designed to be paired with Android devices for tracking items, so they can’t be used.
Lost Mode and NFC-Enabled Phones
Any iPhone or Android device with NFC can find the owner of a lost AirTag that has been put into “Lost Mode.” When an NFC-enabled device is carried close to the AirTag, information about it and its owner is shown so that the owner can be reached to get the item back.
AirTags vs. Tile
Next, we’ll peek at the pros and cons of AirTag and Tile’s features, their privacy settings, and things to consider when choosing which tracker might be best for you.
AirTag
The Apple AirTag just came out in April 2021. It joins Tile on the market for tracking devices. Since it works directly with the “Find My” app (iOS base software), it was designed with the iPhone owner in mind. AirTags commanded $29 each or $99 for a four-pack.
AirTag Pros
- Its best feature, “Precision Finding,” is only available on iPhone 11 or later models. It uses ultra-wideband technology to help find items within half an inch. This makes it more accurate than Tile.
- If you have a wild idea of where an item is, you can use “Precision Finding.” By “pinging” your AirTag, you can find out how far away it is in feet, and lines will point you on the right path.
- It’s easy to pair your mobile device with AirTag. Your AppleID is linked to the tracker, so you don’t need to make a different account.
- Utilizing the “Find My” app, you can see where your AirTagged items are on a map and “ping” them to find their location.
- It works together with Siri. Asking Siri where an item is located is a quick and effortless way to find it.
According to the app, it has a battery that can be quickly replaced and should last for about a year.
AirTag Cons
- Currently, there is only one type of AirTag to choose from, and its style has only a few features.
- It does not include adhesive padding or other materials to attach to items. Because of this, you’d have to buy something else to attach it to your items.
Tile
In 2015, the first Tile devices came out, and owners of Android and iOS devices could use the Tile app to help them find their lost items. You can buy a Tile tracker for $24; if you buy better than one, you can save money.
Tile Pros
- Tile has a lot of different types to choose from and works with iOS, Android, and Windows.
- Tiles are built into some devices, like computers and headphones.
- You can choose from four different kinds designed to be simple to attach to your item right away.
- When you press the button on a Tile, you can ring the device it’s paired with. This is useful if you need help finding your phone.
- If you pay for the Tile Premium service, which starts at $29.99 per year, you can set up alerts that tell you when you leave something behind and when the battery in your Tile needs to be changed.
Tile Cons
- The Tile app is used to set up. It is straightforward, but unlike AirTag’s “Find Me,” it is not integrated with the device’s main program.
- By giving your tracker a location, Tile can connect to other devices on the Tile network. However, Tile’s network is smaller (in the millions) and rests on people with Tile devices or using the app. On the other hand, Apple’s network work is quickly approaching the billion-user threshold.
AirTag vs. Tile Privacy
Privacy is a big issue when using tracking devices because they can be used for bad things, like tracking someone by slipping the device into their car, pocket, or bag.
Apple, in contrast to Tile, has put in place several safeguards to ensure that AirTags are being used correctly.
An AirTag can only be put up by its owner and linked to their Apple ID. It can’t be turned on for someone else. However, iOS devices can tell if an unpaired or unknown AirTag is with them and let the owner know.
An AirTag will also play its chime to attract attention when it is moved to a new location after being separated from its owner for a while.
Which One Would Be a Better Fit?
Both are very good tracking devices that can quickly find lost items; however, their strengths vary.
If style and privacy are important to you, the AirTag is a device with many privacy features and looks good. In addition, Tile is less expensive, and it comes with a sticker or a keyring loop that you can attach to your items.
It would help if you thought about the pros and cons of your current devices. For example, since AirTags are not designed for tracking using Android devices, Tile would be a better fit for you. However, because they are specifically designed to work with iOS, AirTags are better for iOS users.
Additional FAQs
Why Can’t I Pair AirTags With Android Phone?
You can’t pair an AirTag with your Android device because AirTags aren’t designed to work that way. Instead, the pairing and tracking are done by the “Find My” app, which is only for iOS. However, because the AirTag is designed with NFC, NFC-compatible devices can read AirTags even when the owner has put it in “Lost Mode.” This is the only function Android phones have that works with AirTags.
Android Owners Help Reunite AirTag Owners
AirTag, Apple’s location tracker, was designed to track and find items using Apple devices. If an AirTag has been put into “Lost Mode,” an NFC-compatible Android device can read and retrieve the owner’s information, potentially saving a life.
Now that you know how an Android phone works with an AirTag and how it compares to Tile in terms of compatibility, have you ever found someone’s AirTag and helped them get their item back? Which device, AirTag or Tile, do you think is better? Let us know what you guess in the comments area.