Apple AirTag for Android

Long gone are the days of coming home when the street lights turn on. When the parents of today’s kids were growing up, there were no smart devices and no way to track where they were. But today’s parents are raising kids in a digital world, and with that comes the ability to see a child’s location in real-time. There are many ways to track your kids’ location. 

In this article, we’ll dig into why you shouldn’t use AirTag to track your kids’ locations and what to use instead, and discover how Apple Air Tag for Android works, which features are supported, and the top AirTag alternatives for Android devices. 

Do Apple AirTags Work With Android?

Apple’s AirTag has some functionality with Android. While you won’t be able to do everything you could do with an iPhone, Apple has developed an app for Android that allows you to use some of AirTag’s basic features, though there are definitely some limits. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can (and can’t) do with an AirTag on Android:

What You Can Do

Scan a lost AirTag:

Find an AirTag lying around? Just tap it with your Android phone’s NFC feature. If it’s set to Lost Mode, you’ll see a webpage with the owner’s contact info so you can help return it.

Detect unknown AirTags:

Worried about an AirTag you don’t recognize nearby, on your child, or in your vehicle? Apple has an Android app called Tracker Detect, a detector that lets you scan for AirTags that aren’t linked to your account, which comes in handy for peace of mind and privacy.

What You Can’t Do

Set up or track your own AirTag:

Unfortunately, AirTags are built to work only with Apple’s Find My network. That means you can’t pair or track an AirTag from an Android phone.

Use advanced tracking tools:

Features like real-time tracking and Precision Finding are exclusive to iPhones, so Android users miss out on those extras.

In short, AirTags work best within the Apple ecosystem. But don’t worry, if you’re an Android user, you can easily find an alternative that works just as well, or better. We’ve rounded up a few options below.

AirTag Alternatives for Android Users 

If you’re using an Android device and looking for an alternative or equivalent to the Apple AirTag, here are three strong tags to consider:

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2: This tracker works seamlessly in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, offering features like ultra-wideband (UWB) precision finding and integration with the SmartThings Find network. However, it’s designed primarily for Samsung phones and doesn’t support the broader Android tracking network. 

• Tile Mate (2024): Tile is a long-standing choice for Android users. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS and offers features such as Bluetooth tracking, app-based alerts, and history. While it doesn’t leverage the new Google Find My Device Network for crowdsourced location tracking, it remains a solid all-around choice. 

• Chipolo ONE (and its “Point” variants): These are among the first AirTag-equivalent trackers designed for use with Google’s new Find My Device network, meaning Android users can participate in a large network of phones helping locate items. Its network is fairly new, and real-world experiences have been varied.

Can You Use AirTag to Track Your Kids?

Many parents wonder whether Apple’s AirTag could be a simple way to keep track of their kids. After all, it’s small, affordable, and easy to attach to a backpack, jacket, or pair of shoes. In places where lots of iPhones are nearby, AirTags can actually update their location fairly reliably using Apple’s “Find My” network. On the surface, it sounds like a convenient solution, but there are a few important things to understand before relying on it for child safety.

The biggest thing to understand is that AirTags aren’t true GPS trackers. They don’t have their own built-in GPS or cellular connection. Instead, they depend entirely on nearby Apple devices to relay their location. That means if your child happens to go somewhere with very few iPhones around, like a rural area, certain school zones, or a large park, the updates could be delayed or even stop altogether.

AirTags also lack many of the safety features designed specifically for children’s trackers. You won’t get real-time location sharing, two-way calling, or an SOS button. Plus, AirTags include built-in anti-stalking features that can cause issues when used to track a person. For example, if an AirTag has been moving with someone who isn’t near its owner’s device for a while, it will automatically play a sound or send an alert to nearby iPhones. While that’s an important privacy safeguard, it could lead to confusion or unwanted attention if it happens while your child is at school or out with friends.

Apple itself is very clear that AirTags are meant for tracking items, not to be used as finders for people or pets. They’re ideal for keeping tabs on keys, bags, or luggage, but not so much for monitoring someone’s movements.

That said, AirTags can be useful in certain situations. If you’re heading to a crowded place like an amusement park or airport and simply want a little extra peace of mind, slipping one into your child’s backpack isn’t a bad idea. It can help you find them quickly if you get separated, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defense.

In short, AirTags work best as a supplemental tool, not a dedicated child-tracking device. If you’re looking for something more reliable, a GPS tracker or smartwatch built for kids is a much better fit and offers features like real-time tracking, communication, and safety alerts that AirTags just cannot provide.

Better Ways to Track Your Kids 

Now that we’ve ruled out AirTags as a finder option for tracking your kids’ locations, what are some good apps or devices to do just that?

Tracking your child’s location using a smartwatch and parental-control apps is increasingly popular, and for good reason. But while there are lots of benefits, there are also important things to keep in mind.

Smart Watches for Kids

Devices like the Fitbit Ace LTE, the JrTrack 5 Kids Smart Watch, or the SyncUp Kids Watch give parents direct, real-time GPS location, two-way calling or texting with approved contacts, and SOS/emergency buttons are also available. 

Many dedicated kids’ watches also let you define “safe zones” (geofences) and receive alerts if the child leaves those zones. The app-driven control means you can restrict which contacts the child uses, limit apps or features during school time, and set general guardrails for digital use. 

If you want a wearable device for your kids that gives you peace of mind, especially when your child is away from you at stuff like school, after-school activities, or a friend’s house, a smartwatch with location in addition to parental controls is a good option.

Parental Controls

Parental control apps are another way to keep tabs on kids who already have a smartphone. Kids360 is a parental-control app for Android (and iOS) that allows you to monitor and support your child’s device usage and location. The app can:

• Provide real-time location tracking on a map, along with device battery status
• Allow parents to set screen time limits, schedule when apps are accessible, block or allow apps, and view usage statistics. 
• It also has features tailored toward kids’ development: e.g., tasks or activities the child can complete to earn extra screen time. 

When it comes to tracking your kids, the location-tracking feature means you can know roughly where their device is, which can bring peace of mind when they’re away from you or in transit.

Although Kids360 includes location tracking, any tracking app is only as reliable as the device, the permissions, and the GPS or data connection allow. If the phone is off, out of signal, or location services are disabled, you’ll lose accuracy.

If you’re looking for a software solution to track your child’s phone location and manage their screen time like a pro, Kids360 is a solid option to consider. It gives you a combination of tracking and controls conveniently located in one app. However, if your top priority is precise location tracking, while your child is biking alone or in remote areas, you might also want to pair Kids360 with a dedicated GPS tracker or smartwatch with built-in tracking for an extra layer of safety. 

Conversation Over Control

It’s a parent’s priority to keep their kids safe. In today’s world, that often means having some way of knowing where they are, usually by tracking their location through a smart device. If you’re considering using any type of device to track your child’s location, you should discuss it with them. Setting one up secretly or without discussion is when trust issues can start to exist.  

Choosing to use a smartwatch or parental control app is just one part of a broader approach to child safety. It’s great for knowing they’re where they’re supposed to be and offering a line of communication, but it won’t replace teaching and talking with your child about making safe decisions, staying in contact, and being aware of their surroundings.

FAQs

What is AirTag? 

An AirTag is a small Bluetooth tracker from Apple designed to help you find lost items like keys, wallets with your credit card, or bags using the Find My app. It fully connects to Apple’s vast Find My network, which uses nearby Apple devices to anonymously update your AirTag’s location so you can see where your item is on a map. But they’re meant for items, not for tracking people or pets.

How do I use AirTags?

While AirTags are designed for Apple devices, Android users can still use them in limited ways. Using an Android phone’s NFC feature, you can tap a lost AirTag to view its owner’s contact information if it’s in Lost Mode. You can also install Apple’s Tracker Detect, a detector app, to scan for nearby AirTags on your person or in your vehicle that you didn’t register to your account, helping ensure your privacy and safety.

Can I use Kids360 to track my kids?

Kids360 can offer free location tracking and works across both Android and iOS devices, so parents and kids can connect easily, no matter what kind of device they use. You can also add your partner or other family members to your Family group to share location updates, manage screen time, assign tasks, and even see your child’s online activity.