Feature Glossary

Apple Find My

Apple’s built-in tracking network that uses hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs worldwide to locate items. When a Find My-compatible device is near any Apple device, its location is securely and anonymously relayed to the owner via iCloud. All products on this site work with Apple Find My.

Google Find Hub (Dual Platform)

Google’s equivalent tracking network for Android devices, formerly called “Find My Device.” Dual-platform trackers work with both Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, meaning they can be located by both iPhone and Android users. These devices broadcast their location across both Apple and Google’s ecosystems, making them findable via Android or Apple devices. (Apple users can’t view Google Find Hub locations, but they are notified when Google Find Hub trackers are moving with them. See Anti-Stalking Protections.)

Devices with this feature: Beats Studio Buds+, Beats Studio Pro, Fresh ’n Rebel SmartFinder, Journey LOC8 Finder Fob 2, KeySmart SmartCard Gen 3, Pebblebee Card 5, Pebblebee Clip 5, and Rolling Square AirCard Pro Dual.

Ultra Wideband (UWB)

A radio technology that enables precise, directional finding at close range. On iPhones with a U1 or U2 chip, UWB powers “Precision Finding” — an on-screen arrow and distance readout that guides you to within inches of your item. Without UWB, you can only see an approximate location on a map or play a sound.

Devices with this feature: AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag (1st Generation), and AirTag (2nd Generation).

Precision Finding

An Apple feature powered by Ultra Wideband that shows a directional arrow and live distance on your iPhone screen, guiding you directly to a nearby item. Requires an iPhone 11 or later (U1 chip) or Apple Watch Series 9+ (for AirTag). Precision Finding works indoors and out, even in cluttered environments.

Devices with this feature: AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag (1st Generation), and AirTag (2nd Generation).

Built-in Speaker

All Apple Find My certified trackers are required to include a built-in speaker that can play a sound on command via the Find My app. This helps you locate an item by ear when you\xE2\x80\x99re nearby. Volume varies by device \xE2\x80\x94 some produce a loud siren (up to 130 dB for the Pebblebee Clip 5), while others emit a quieter chime.

Rechargeable Battery

The tracker has a built-in battery that can be recharged, typically via USB-C, MagSafe, or Qi wireless charging. Rechargeable trackers avoid the ongoing cost of replacement batteries and reduce waste, but need to be periodically charged (battery life ranges from a few months to over a year per charge).

Devices with this feature: AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, Beats Fit Pro, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, Beats Studio Buds+, Beats Studio Pro, ExtreLife for MagSafe Wallet, Journey LOC8 Finder Fob 2, KeySmart SmartCard Gen 3, Knog Scout, MOFT Trackable Snap-on Wallet, Nomad Tracking Card Air, Nomad Tracking Card Pro, Pebblebee Card 5, Pebblebee Clip 5, Rolling Square AirCard Pro Dual, Satechi FindAll Card, Satechi FindAll Glasses Case, Satechi FindAll Keychain, Satechi FindAll Luggage Tag, XtremeMac X-Lock Pro, and eufy SmartTrack Card E30.

Replaceable Battery (CR2032)

The tracker uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that you swap out when depleted, typically lasting about a year. CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and widely available. The trade-off is slightly thicker devices compared to rechargeable card-style trackers.

Devices with this feature: ATUVOS Air Tracker Tag, AirTag (1st Generation), AirTag (2nd Generation), Chipolo ONE Spot, Fresh ’n Rebel SmartFinder, OneAdaptr AirLock, Rolling Square AirNotch Pro, and eufy SmartTrack Link.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

A short-range wireless technology that lets anyone with a smartphone tap the tracker to see contact information when the item is in Lost Mode. This works even with non-Apple phones — someone who finds your lost item can tap it with any NFC-capable phone to see your message and contact details.

Devices with this feature: AirTag (1st Generation), AirTag (2nd Generation).

IP Rating (Water/Dust Resistance)

An international standard indicating protection against dust and water. The first digit rates dust protection (0–6) and the second rates water protection (0–9). Common ratings: IP54 (splash-proof), IP66 (powerful water jets), IP67 (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes), IP68 (deeper/longer submersion). IPX5 means dust protection wasn’t tested but water resistance was.

Apple Find My Only

The tracker works exclusively with Apple’s Find My network and requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to set up and locate. It cannot be used with Android devices. Most trackers on the market are Find My only, though an increasing number support both Apple and Google networks — see Google Find Hub (Dual Platform) for those devices.

Left-Behind Alerts

A notification sent to your iPhone when you leave an area without a tracked item. For example, if you walk out of a restaurant without your wallet, your phone alerts you. This feature requires an iPhone and is configured per-item in the Find My app. Some trackers also support alerts on Apple Watch and CarPlay.

Lost Mode

A Find My feature that marks an item as lost and enables the entire Find My network to look for it. When another Apple device comes near your lost item, you receive a notification with its location. You can also set a custom message with contact information that anyone can read by tapping the item with an NFC-capable phone.

Anti-Stalking Protections

Safety features built into the Find My network to deter the use of deployed trackers to follow people without their knowledge. iPhones and iPads automatically alert you if an unknown tracker is traveling with you after a short period of time. AirTags and all Find My third-party trackers will also play a sound after being separated from their owner for a period of time—at least 8 to 24 hours—when they are jostled or moved. Android users are also notified through cross-ecosystem support about Apple Find My items traveling with them.