Do AirTags Work with Android Devices? Explore the Compatibility and Functionality of AirTags for Android Devices!

AirTags are fantastic trackers made by Apple. But here’s the thing: They’re designed mainly for iPhones.

However, many wonder, ‘Can these AirTags also work with Android phones?’ So, if you’re also curious about AirTags for Android, and want to use it instead of an Android spyware app, you’ve landed in the right spot.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how well AirTag works with Android, what you can and can’t do with AirTags on Android, and also explore any potential workarounds or alternatives for Android users. 

So, let’s not waste time and dive into the details to find how AirTags for Android work—

What Are AirTags, and How Do Apple AirTags Work?

AirTags are small tracking devices made by Apple known for their efficient range. They help you find lost items by attaching them to things like keys, bags, purses, and wallets. These tags use Bluetooth to connect with your iPhone through the Find My network.

When you can’t find your item (with an AirTag attached), you can use the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad to locate it. The app shows you the last place the AirTag was near your phone. Then, it guides you to the item using sound and visual cues. 

So, AirTags are handy for keeping tabs on your belongings and making it easier to find them when they go missing, thanks to AirTag extended range capabilities.

Now, coming to how they operate, AirTags work through Apple’s Find My network, sending Bluetooth signals that other Apple devices on the network can detect. This data is sent to Apple’s servers to let the AirTag owner track its location from miles away.

Also, Read: Why is My AirTag Beeping?

Can You Set Up AirTags Using an Android Phone?

No, setting up AirTags using an Android phone isn’t possible. 

You can’t set up AirTags using Android phones as they are designed to be configured and used primarily with Apple devices due to their reliance on the Find My app (which is available exclusively on iOS and macOS platforms.)

As of now, no app for Android does what’s required to get AirTags up and running. So, if you’ve got an Android, you’re out of luck when it comes to setting up AirTags and using its features.

Do AirTags Work with Android?

No. Unfortunately, as of now, AirTags don’t work directly with Android devices as they’re designed to integrate seamlessly with Apple’s Find My network (which is exclusive to Apple devices).

So, ‘Can you use AirTags with Android?’—No, due to the unavailability of the Find My Network app for Android, there isn’t much you can do with AirTags and an Android phone.

However, Android users can still detect an AirTag if it’s separated from its owner and in Lost Mode. They can tap the AirTag using an NFC-enabled Android device, which opens a website showing the AirTag owner’s contact details (if shared). 

Air Tags for Android: How Can AirTags Be Used in Android?

AirTags, the nifty tracking gadgets from Apple, unfortunately, don’t play super well with Android devices. They’re crafted to be best buddies with Apple gear like iPhones and iPads, working like a charm within Apple’s own ecosystem. So, using AirTags for Android isn’t straightforward and doesn’t tap into all their cool features.

The truth is that you can’t set up or track AirTags with an Android phone, but you can scan for them and read them if you find one. 

How to Read a Lost AirTag on Android?

If you stumble upon a lost AirTag with your Android device, there’s a tiny workaround, i.e., if your Android has NFC (that’s like a secret handshake for wireless communication), you can tap the AirTag with it.

This little tap opens a website that might show the owner’s contact details (if they’ve shared them) to let you help reunite the AirTag and its connected item with the owner.

You can use any phone with an NFC reader to read AirTags, even Android phones! Here’s how—

• Step 1: Hold your phone close to the white side of the AirTag.
• Step 2: Then, ensure that the AirTag touches the NFC reader on your Android phone.

  

Tip: If you’re unsure about the NFC reader’s location and can’t find it, you can contact your phone’s manufacturer for guidance.

• Step 3: Once the AirTag is successfully read, your phone will show a popup prompt or automatically open a webpage.
• Step 4: If the AirTag is marked as lost, you’ll be able to view the owner’s provided phone number or the message they entered when setting the AirTag into Lost Mode.

How to Scan for AirTags on Android?

The other way you can use AirTag for Android is that you can scan for them if you find one.

On iPhones, the Find My app uses the U1 chip for precise AirTag scanning. Without the U1 chip, it’s less accurate. But on Android, you’ll need a Bluetooth scanner app. So, you can use Apple’s Tracker Detect app on Android to find AirTags.

Note: To do the same thing before, you need to install a separate Bluetooth scanner on your Android phone.

With Tracker Detect, you can scan for AirTags that are far from the owner’s device’s Bluetooth range. Now, if it finds one close to you for at least ten minutes, it can make a sound to help you locate it.

So, this app helps you find unnamed Apple Bluetooth devices by measuring their signal strength and guiding you to locate them. Having that in mind, follow these steps to scan for AirTags on Android—

• Step 1: On your Mac, use the Find My app to get the last known location of your lost AirTag and head there. However, note that if you’re helping locate someone else’s AirTag, ask them for the location.
• Step 2: Then, get a Bluetooth scanner app on your Android phone.
• Step 3: After that, open the Bluetooth scanner and simply check nearby devices. This displays all nearby Bluetooth devices, not just the AirTag.
• Step 4: Now, from the list of devices, look for an unnamed device and inspect its details.

  For instance, you should review the manufacturer-specific data of the unnamed device for an entry that says Apple, Inc. or shows the Apple logo. However, if it doesn’t say Apple, Inc., move around and search for another unnamed entry (All AirTags and Bluetooth Apple devices mention Apple, Inc. in their data).

• Step 5: Now, move within the same area while monitoring the signal strength of the suspected AirTag device. To aid in locating nearby devices, you can use a radar or visualization mode (if available) in your Bluetooth Scanner.

  

• Step 6: Once you find the AirTag, use the NFC reader in your Android phone to scan it and confirm it’s the one you’re seeking.

Also, Read: Why is AirTag Not Reachable?

What Are the AirTag Alternatives for Android?

For Android users seeking AirTag alternatives, several ‘airtags for Android phones’ options exist to track items similarly. They are as listed—

Tile trackers stand out as a popular choice for offering a wide range of products, like the Tile Mate and Tile Pro. These Bluetooth trackers sync with Android devices via the Tile app and allow users to track their belongings.

Similarly, Samsung’s SmartThings Tracker integrates well with Android phones and enables location tracking and geofencing features.

Another notable option is the Chipolo ONE Spot, which works similarly to AirTags. It uses Bluetooth technology and connects to Android devices through the Chipolo app. Users can ring the Chipolo tracker or view its last known location on a map through the app.

Additionally, devices like the TrackR Pixel and Nutale Focus also serve as Android-compatible alternatives. These trackers work similarly, i.e., by using Bluetooth connectivity and dedicated companion apps for tracking purposes.

Though these alternatives may not seamlessly integrate with Apple’s Find My network as AirTags do with iOS devices, they provide effective tracking solutions for Android users. Each offers its own unique set of features, ranging from simple item location to advanced functionalities like geofencing and crowd-tracking assistance.

However, to be precise, Bluetooth trackers such as Tile and Galaxy SmartTag offer superior integration and a more versatile experience with Android compared to AirTag. They provide reliable tracking capabilities across both operating systems, making them a favorable choice for users seeking broader device compatibility without sacrificing functionality.

But, despite that, they miss out on AirTag’s Precision Finding feature, which leverages the U1 chip in newer iPhones. 

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