The best holders for air tags: keys, wallet, bike & Co.

Thanks to the accurate and reliable tracking function, much more is possible with the Airtag than with other key finders. The reason for this is the ingenious community search function, with which the tracker can be followed in almost real time. Thanks to the possibility that the position of the tags can be tracked by every iPhone user, the small gadget can also be used to protect against theft or to monitor pets or children. In order for this to work properly in practice, you need the right accessories.

Apple’s “Where is Network” is a networked location system for end devices and trackers. This allows devices to be found even if they do not have their own Internet access. A passing iPhone, for example, connects to the tracker and transmits its location anonymously and unnoticed by the user. This is how the community helps to find a lost key that would otherwise be difficult to find. Since the launch in 2019, Where-ist has been expanded rapidly and Apple has also opened the system to third-party providers such as Anker, Pebblebee or Chipolo.

However, the Airtag is the Apple tracker par excellence, because in addition to the community search, it also uses ultra wide band (UWB), which allows devices to be located much more precisely than GPS. In this way, the iPhone can find the key in the crack in the sofa and use arrow navigation to guide the user there. The devices are equipped with a CR2032 button cell and usually work for one year. If the Airtag is slowly empty, it reports via the where-is application.

Current trackers mainly only rely on Bluetooth or other local connections. Manufacturers of such devices are, for example, Chipolo, Musegear, Pebblebee or Gigaset. They are connected via their own app and not only work with Android smartphones, but also in the Apple cosmos.

Only brands like Tile or Samsung use community networking – like Apple. However, this is limited. Only those who also use the Tile or Samsung apps can find trackers from other users. In addition, Samsung trackers can only be used with Samsung smartphones. This significantly reduces the chance of finding your key again. Especially compared to the Apple system, the distribution of Tile or Samsung is not so good globally.

That’s why Google announced the introduction of a finder system that works across all Android devices at its I/O developer conference. This relies on the already existing app “Find my device”. This means that all Android smartphones are networked with each other in one fell swoop in order to find each other, but also accessories such as headphones and trackers. Google announced the launch of the system for summer 2023. So far, nothing is known about support for the UWB radio wave standard built into the Pixel 6 Pro (test report) and Pixel 7 Pro (test report). As with Apple, this would make a much more targeted search possible. The planned trackers run analogous to the air tags in the Android ecosystem.

While other Bluetooth trackers are equipped with an eyelet or a key ring, the Apple model comes without any attachment option. The Apple key finder even requires accessories to attach it to a bunch of keys. That’s not too bad, because the selection of tags and covers for attaching to a keychain, suitcase or backpack is huge.

There are fundamental differences in design and material. While some mounts only serve to attach it to a bag or backpack, other models also protect the sensitive surface of the airtag – and thus avoid scratches. Whether an open or closed variant is used is ultimately a question of taste. The mounting option is more important. Ultimately, all holders with an integrated key ring or a small eyelet will do for a bunch of keys or a backpack. In order to attach the tag to suitcases, however, the holder must have a loop.

There is also a wide range of materials to choose from. In addition to classic leather or imitation leather, there are pendants made of soft silicone, solid plastic or even metal. The choice of material depends on the purpose and taste. Here, the rougher the application, the more important it is to have a stable cover. It doesn’t usually matter for the bunch of keys. With air tags, which are supposed to track a suitcase, for example, the tag should be chosen so stable that it cannot come loose even with rough handling, for example at the airport.

Ultimately, the cheap Airtag trailers also leave a useful impression. You can only see the low price of the brackets in detail. For example, the seams are not as clean as on the more expensive products. The cheap artificial leather, which unfortunately is often offered simply as leather, also wears out faster than high-quality material. The surface cracks after a few months and the colors of the sometimes brightly colored pendants fade or peel off. If that doesn’t bother you, you can also get by with a budget trailer. At budget prices of well under 10 euros, you can also exchange the trailers more often. With tags made of soft silicone, no differences are visible between the expensive and cheap versions.

Due to the good community search and the high range, airtags are also suitable for tracking pets. The key finder helps, for example, when searching for a dog or cat if they are hiding or walking around in the neighborhood.

The offer ranges from simple plastic holders to playful silicone pouches in a heart and paw design or dog collars with integrated holders. So that the animals cannot get tangled up anywhere with the Airtag, we recommend tight-fitting Airtag holders for the collar or collars with space for the tracker instead of trailers. In order for the Airtag to survive everyday life with the four-legged friend without damage, the cases should offer all-round protection and ideally be waterproof.

Tracking people also works with the airtags. However, this does not mean that people are located unknowingly and against their will. However, the tags are well suited for checking where the kids are currently hanging out at the campsite or for keeping an eye on people with dementia.

There are a number of wristbands with an integrated Airtag holder for this application. The tracker is then worn on the wrist like a watch. The bracelets should be adjustable in length and as comfortable as possible. As a rule, they consist of a fabric or supple silicone.

There are also a number of interesting solutions for monitoring e-bikes and bicycles. However, in order to be helpful in the event of a theft, an obvious solution should not be chosen. The model in the form of a silicone loop, which is available for 10 euros, should quickly catch the eye of any pilferer. They would then simply remove the Airtag from the bike and dispose of it. The Airtag can still be tracked, but the bike is long gone by then.

If you have to search for your wallet regularly, you should equip it with an Airtag. This works either with a card adapter or with a special wallet. Since the Airtag is not particularly flat, we find the second solution to be much more suitable for everyday use. In case of doubt, a printable holder, which is attached to the existing wallet, will do, but the solution does not look chic.

Privately, we have been using an I-Clip card wallet for some time. And this is now being exchanged for the model with an integrated Airtag holder. The I-Clip for the Airtag is not cheap at 45 euros, but the good workmanship and the long service life that experience has shown justify the investment.

We also use the wallet of the young start-up Lockcard, which is known from the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. At 20 euros – including a cash compartment – it is cheaper than the I-Clip wallet. It consists of two outer panels made of plastic or aluminum, between which EC cards can be inserted. The Lockcard Wallet is held together by a rubber band. The wallet can be flexibly configured thanks to its modular design. An alternative cover plate with an integrated holder for the Airtag is also available. This costs around 10 euros extra. The wallet is also available in a six-piece bundle, which includes a cash compartment, a key compartment and a magnetic holder. Further modules can be found in the Lockcard online shop. In addition, the start-up offers the 3D print templates for its modules for free download via a Discord server.

There are also more than 600 products on the topic of wallets with Airtag holders on Amazon. From plastic to leather to metal, the selection of materials is large. And the type of purse is also diverse. For example, there are classic ones with a coin compartment or ones in which you can primarily store all your cards. In addition to full-fledged wallets, there are also insertable holders in credit card format, with which you can easily upgrade the old wallet.

If you have to regularly look for sunglasses or reading glasses instead of your wallet, you can also count on the Apple tracker here. In order for the attachment to work, however, a goggle strap is required, into which the Airtag is inserted. The Nomad Airtag Glasses Strap for just under 30 euros is ideal here.

There are countless other everyday objects or gadgets that can be tracked with an Airtag. From our own experience, the key finders help with the search for remote controls, headphones or crashed racing drones.

Self-adhesive silicone mounts or mounts with an integrated magnet are suitable for attaching the tags. Product specific mounts are also available. The solution for the Apple Airpods and Airpods Pro is chic.

The Apple Airtag is a great tracker with many uses. In order for the tracking to work properly and the key finder to be safely stowed away, however, you need the right accessories. This is the only way to attach it to different places.

Experience has shown that it is worth investing a little more because of the higher processing quality. If you buy an inexpensive mount, you should check it regularly for damage so that the tracking device does not fall off.