Apple AirTag
Range: Up to 90 feet | Battery life: 1 year | Battery replaceable: Yes
Best for: People with iPhones who love the Find My network.
Pros:
- Much larger user base
- Easy One Tap setup
Cons:
- iPhone only
- Can’t share AirTags with other users
An Android-Friendly Tracker
Tile Pro
Range: Up to 400 feet | Battery Life: 1 year | Battery Replaceable: Yes
Best for: Android users and people who want an easy plug-and-play solution.
Pros:
- Extensive Tile user network
- Compatible with Android
- Longer range
Cons:
- Larger size compared to AirTag
- Some features behind a paywall
Apple AirTag Vs. Tile Pro: Network
Both Apple AirTags and Tile trackers rely on their respective networks to locate lost items. This isn’t too much of an issue when you’re in your own home. But if you leave your car keys on a table at a restaurant, that’s a different story. Both trackers can anonymously communicate with any device within range to transmit its position to you. In the case of Tile, it’s any other Tile user. In the case of Apple AirTags, it’s every other Apple device user, including iPhones, MacBooks and more—regardless of whether they have an Apple AirTag or not. (And, it has an easy One Tap setup to pair with your devices.)
The advantage goes to Apple here because it sells literal millions of iPhones every quarter, which means there are millions of users out there who can help you find your keys. In Tile’s case, depending on which numbers you read, Tile claims around 40 million devices sold, so presumably that’s tens of millions of Tile apps installed that can help locate your item. That’s a lot, but it’s not Apple’s expansive network, so that’s a clear advantage to the Cupertino-based company.
Additionally, if you have an Android phone, you can’t use Apple AirTags. Apple built an app that you can install that will tell you if an AirTag is traveling with you, but that’s it. If you want to use an AirTag, it’s iPhone or bust. Meanwhile, the Tile app is available for both iPhone and Android—an advantage for Tile users or for families who have both phone types in their home.
Apple AirTag Vs. Tile Pro: Size
In terms of Bluetooth tracker size, Apple AirTags again have the advantage over the Tile Pro, as it’s a smaller disc shape. However, one could argue that the Tile Pro is better suited to attach to your go-to objects like keys, backpacks and more. While the Apple AirTag just comes as a disc, the Tile Pro has a built-in keyring holder that’s great for attaching to your keys, bags or just about anything else.
Plus, if you don’t limit yourself to Tile Pro specifically, Tile trackers come in all shapes, sizes and methods of attachments. Some of the options include credit card-sized tags like the Tile Black Slim that slip into your wallet, or tiny stickers you can adhere to, say, your Nintendo Switch, like the Tile Sticker. Between the keyring holder and the many options, Tile has more offerings that might be better suited to your lifestyle needs.
You can attach the AirTag to your keys—but you need to buy the accessory for it.
AirTags also have a broad accessories ecosystem built around them to easily add a keyring, or attach them to your wallet or bag, but that means you have to buy it in addition to the device. Apple’s FineWoven Key Ring sets you back another $35, while Belkin and OtterBox offer more affordable options.
Apple AirTag Vs. Tile Pro Tracker: Range And Tracking
When it comes to locating items in your home, Tile and Apple split the advantages here. Tile Pro has a much longer range than Apple AirTags when it comes to detection, but Apple’s interface for actually locating the tags is superior. Your Tile app can tell you if your Tile Pro is close by from anywhere in your house, but it only gives you a hot/cold idea of whether you’re actually walking toward the tag or away from it. Meanwhile, an AirTag can’t tell you much until you’re within roughly 20 feet of it, but once you are, an arrow pops on your screen that points with remarkable accuracy to what direction you need to go.
The Tile Pro is a sleek tracker that can attach to keyrings, bags and more.
Both platforms allow you to ring the device from your phone. Tile is superior because you can ring the tracker from further away, and the sound it makes is louder. Plus, the Tile Pro has a built-in button that lets you ring your phone if you can’t find it. There is no bi-directional functionality in an AirTag.
Apple AirTag Vs. Tile Pro Tracker: Extra Features
The other major area where Tile has an advantage is in sharing items. Apple AirTags belong to one person at a time—and that’s it. If Dad puts an AirTag on a set of keys, Mom can’t use her iPhone to find them. That’s a pretty big limitation when it comes to finding things in a family environment. Tile, on the other hand, allows you to share items with other users with the tap of a button, making them the better choice where multiple people might need/want to find the same thing. But there is a catch that could cost you (literally).
Everything you can do with an AirTag, you can do for no additional fee. Tile has basic functionality available in the app, but reserves some features for one of two premium plans. Unlimited sharing is reserved for that Premium plan or Premium Protect plans that cost $29.99 or $99.99 per year, respectively. The difference between the two plans is in the amount that Tile will reimburse you if you cannot locate an item with a Tile attached to it. The Premium plan covers $100 while the Premium Protect plan covers $1,000.
Apple offers no such location guarantee, but it does offer the option to notify you if an item has been left behind. Comparatively, along with unlimited item sharing, this feature is only possible with Tile’s Premium Protect plan. That feels like little more than a money grab from Tile, which is a little gross.
Apple AirTag Vs. Tile Pro: Verdict
At the end of the day, despite the advantages Tile has over Apple, the latter still feels like a winner in this category, and the reason is pretty simple. While the Tile Pro holds advantages in many categories, the most important category—actually finding your stuff—is Apple’s key advantage. Apple’s network is ridiculously huge and worldwide. Every person carrying an iPhone in their pocket—which, spoiler alert, is a lot—can help you locate your AirTag. Tile relies on a similar network of Tile users, which is also a lot, but it doesn’t nearly reach the scope of Apple.
But, if you’re an Android user, it’s a no-brainer. You can’t use AirTags and Tile is a pretty solid platform itself, so you’re in good shape there. You get better range, a better app and some additional insurance if you want to subscribe. So, while there is no bad choice here, if you’re an iPhone user, AirTags are probably the better bet.
- The Forbes Vetted tech team consists of accomplished tech experts who’ve (literally) written books on the subject. In particular, this story was written by Adam Doud, an accomplished writer, journalist, photographer and experienced product tester. He has owned the Tile Pro and the Apple AirTag since their respective launches and has years of experience testing both devices.
- Adam is a Chicago-based freelance reviewer and has been writing about consumer electronics for over a decade with a focus on mobile phones and cellular technology, including the birth of 5G. He has also tested almost every major phone on the market over the last several years, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro.
- When he’s not testing the latest and greatest flagship phones, he’s hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast/YouTube channel with his co-host Clifton M. Thomas and editing technology news articles for SlashGear.
- The tech section is overseen by consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs, an expert who has extensive experience going hands-on with devices, including the Tile Pro in this story.
