Despite the success we’ve seen around Apple’s AirTag system, we’ve never had a real Android-based alternative. Of course, we’ve seen a few options like Tile’s trackers and the Samsung SmartTag. While these options were solid overall, Tile trackers required users to rely on the Tile or Life360 apps, while Samsung SmartTags required a Samsung device unless you were using a third-party tracking app.
However, Google finally appears to be closing this gap with the recently announced Pixel Tag, which will pair with almost every Android phone and can be tracked through Android’s upgraded Find My service. Google says its new tracker will work on any phone running Android 9 or later. This is huge news, as it finally gives Android users a more native tracking experience similar to AirTag. If you’ve ever switched from Apple to Android and used AirTags, you may have felt the void in this part of the market.
Given some of the security issues we’ve seen with Tile trackers, it’s really good to see Google introducing a solid competitor for Android users, especially since its pricing appears to be similar to Apple’s AirTags – with options to buy one for $29.99 or a pack of four for $99.99.
Learn AirTags
Perhaps the best part of the Google Pixel Tag is the fact that it appears Google has learned from Apple and its iterations of AirTags. The company claims its new devices will easily pair with your device. All you need to do is pull out the battery tab and then bring it closer to your Android device. Then it needs to pair directly using Android’s Fast Pair service. You can even name the item with a custom label, then share it with up to 10 people.
What makes Pixel Tag sound even better is that you can search for it with your Pixel Watch if you’re using one, making it easier to find things even if you don’t have your phone with you at the moment. Google will also use a system similar to AirTag’s unknown tag warning, which will let you know if an unknown device has been following you for a while.
If you’ve used AirTags before, finding them in the same room can be difficult, even with ultra-wideband support. Google’s Pixel Tags will sport visual distance and directional cues, so hopefully this will make it easier to track nearby items. Whether Google’s offering will adequately address other common issues with AirTags, such as connection issues, battery issues, and more, is another question. We’ll have to wait until we can actually get our hands on them to see how they hold up to real-world use. Still, it is good to have a suitable option for Android users that is not tied to a single brand.
