Secure Your Ride: Why You Need an AirTag for Your Car
Keep your car safe and secure with a Bluetooth tracker like the Apple AirTag Not only can you easily locate your car if you forget where you parked, but it also provides limited protection against theft However, not all trackers are created equal, so do your research before making a purchase Remember, these trackers are meant for your car, not people
Bluetooth trackers such as AirTags and Galaxy SmartTags are designed for tracking small objects like keys and bags, but they can also be used to keep an eye on something much larger - your car. These trackers work by attaching them to your vehicle and using your phone to locate them later. If the tracker is out of range, the app will provide you with the last known location and directions to the tracker's location. Some trackers even connect to mesh networks, allowing for real-time updates on the location of your lost tracker. With these features, Bluetooth trackers are a great addition to any vehicle, whether it's a bike or a truck.
Never Lose Your Car Again
One of the biggest headaches of parking in a large lot is trying to remember where you parked your car. While modern smartphones offer solutions, each one has its limitations. One option is to write down the section and row number in your notes app, but that requires signage and can still be confusing. Another option is to use Google Maps to mark your parking spot and share it with others, but this requires remembering to do so every time and can be unreliable. Apple's solution on iPhones uses Bluetooth to mark your parked location when the connection is lost, but this only works if your car's Bluetooth is turned on. That's why I keep an AirTag in my car – it provides a simple and reliable way to locate my vehicle in a crowded parking lot.
Bluetooth trackers are a reliable solution to address the problem. An AirTag is capable of providing real-time updates on my car's location through Apple's Find My app. In fact, the location gets updated whenever anyone with an Apple device passes by the car. In case your iPhone fails to update the tag's location before you walk away, the tag's location accuracy could be improved when someone else passes by the car at a later time.
Find My app not only displays the location of the AirTags on the map but also allows for live walking or driving directions to the tag's last known location. Though Apple Maps and Google Maps may not be able to provide accurate instructions inside large parking lots or decks, the automatic directions could be helpful if you parked on a street or a small area nearby.
I found the mapping and navigation features extremely helpful during my last visit to Walt Disney World with friends. The parking lots at the theme parks are enormous, and even if you jot down the section where you parked, you might have to wander around aimlessly for a few minutes. But with the Find My app, I simply opened the map and followed the arrow right to my car. The only downside was that this method doesn't work as well in multi-level parking decks or similar structures since Apple's AirTags don't provide elevation data. However, if you're in close proximity to the AirTag and have a compatible iPhone, you may be able to use more precise tracking to find your way. It's worth noting that some Bluetooth trackers, including AirTags, don't allow you to share tracking data with others.
Limited Protection for Thefts
Bluetooth trackers are a cost-effective solution for locating lost or stolen items, including cars. While there are subscription-based services like OnStar or T-Mobile SyncUP Drive that offer superior satellite or cell tower connectivity, Bluetooth trackers require only a nearby compatible phone to transmit location data, making them more affordable. By concealing a Bluetooth tracker in your car, you can easily report its location to the authorities in case of theft. In fact, there have been instances where individuals have successfully retrieved their stolen vehicles using Bluetooth trackers like Tile or AirTag.
Apple has taken measures to prevent the misuse of AirTags for tracking people, including car thieves. If the thief has an Apple device, they will receive a warning that they are being tracked. In addition, the AirTag will emit beeping sounds, making it difficult for the thief to remain undetected.
Not All Trackers Will Work
Bluetooth trackers can be categorized into two groups: those with a large mesh network and device-level integrations, and those that require the app to be running. The latter type of tracker is not ideal for car tracking. If the app has not been opened in a month and is not allowed to run in the background, it will not be able to locate the car if it is out of sight.
If you have an iPhone, consider investing in AirTags or other trackers that use Apple's Find My network. These devices don't require any additional apps to be downloaded since the tracking service is already built into iOS. On the other hand, if you're a Samsung Galaxy user, your best bet might be the Galaxy SmartTag or SmartTag+ as it updates in the background and has a network powered by other Galaxy devices. While Tile trackers can update to an extent on Android devices and have a network with other Tile users, I do not recommend purchasing one due to the recent acquisition by Life360, a data broker firm. Although both companies have promised to stop selling precise user location data in 2022, the current privacy policy is unclear, making me hesitant to share my location data with them.
Tracking Cars, Not People
Bluetooth trackers, particularly AirTags, have become a tool for stalking and privacy violations. However, I have found a practical use for them in tracking my own car, which is only driven by me, without compromising anyone else's privacy. However, if you are considering using a Bluetooth tracker in a car shared by multiple individuals, such as family members, it raises concerns about privacy.
Location sharing is an in-built feature on both iPhones and Android phones, and it is a more reliable and trustworthy alternative for tracking the location of family members or friends. This feature uses each phone's GPS and cell connections to determine the location, unlike Bluetooth trackers, which only scan for nearby devices occasionally. Personally, I make use of this feature during long car trips to keep my family informed of my whereabouts without needing to call or text them.
Keeping a Bluetooth tracker in your car can be useful for finding the location of your vehicle quickly, except in the case of multi-level parking decks. It may also increase your chances of recovering a stolen car. For the $30 that I spent on an AirTag, I find this feature to be a worthwhile investment.
- Apple AirTag
AirTags are the best Bluetooth trackers available for iPhones, giving you convenient access to your belongings and tracking with Apple's global Find My network.
Amazon
$27.99
Best Buy
$29.00
Target
$29.99
If you have an Android phone instead of an iPhone, check out our list of the best Bluetooth trackers. These AIrTag alternatives work with iPhones, too—but we recommend AirTags to iPhone users.
