Google today introduced the Pixel Tag, its answer to Apple’s AirTag. Pixel Tag is Google’s first object tracking tool, although Google established an object tracking network used by third-party devices two years ago.
The Pixel Tag is made from stainless steel and is IP67 water and dust resistant. There’s a built-in speaker that can play a sound when something it’s attached to is lost, as well as a button that triggers a sound to play on a connected smartphone. A button on the device is a feature that sets the Pixel Tag apart from the AirTag.
Pixel Tags have an oval shape instead of a round shape, and they don’t come with an attachment point and, like the AirTag, require an additional accessory to add to keys or bags. Like the AirTag, the Pixel Tag uses a replaceable battery that lasts up to a year. It works with Android devices running Android 9 or later with Bluetooth 6 and can be tracked in the Find Hub app.
Google added Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband to the Pixel Tag, so it supports a precision search function when an object is lost nearby but out of sight. The Pixel Tag supports many of the same functions as the AirTag, like alerts when an item is forgotten and the ability to share the item’s location with multiple people.
The AirTag relies on Apple’s Find My network when something is out of range of its owner’s device, and Google has a similar system. The Find Hub network leverages over a billion Android devices to locate items.
Google has the same protections as Apple, and Android devices send alerts when an unknown beacon is detected traveling with you. Unknown Tracking Alerts are cross-platform thanks to a collaboration between Apple and Google, so iPhone users will receive an alert if a Pixel Tag is nearby and vice versa.
Google plans to sell Pixel Tags for $29 for one or $99 for four, the same price as the AirTag 2. Pixel Tags will launch in November 2026.
