I Love Airtags, But This Alternative Slips Right In My Wallet And Solves Their Biggest Flaw

pros and cons

Pros

• Tough polycarbonate building built to past successful a wallet aliases purse.
• 5-month artillery life pinch wireless recharging.
• Simple to use, nary third-party app needed

Cons

• High value (but connected par pinch akin locator cards).
• I wouldn't usage this arsenic a luggage tag.

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Once again, I'm waxing lyrical astir Apple AirTags. I perfectly emotion them. They've been nan 1 portion of tech that has genuinely transformed my life.

But arsenic overmuch arsenic I adore them, they're not perfect. One point that hasn't changed successful nan astir 5 years since their merchandise is their shape. No matter really large of a instrumentality I americium -- and I see myself their No. 1 instrumentality -- moreover I person to admit that their small UFO-like creation doesn't fresh good into a wallet aliases purse.

Also: This AirTag replacement pinch a 130dB siren and strobe ray has my sanction written each complete it

I've tried each sorts of solutions to make AirTags activity for wallets, moreover going truthful acold arsenic to return 1 isolated and retrofit it into a 3D-printed in installments paper shell. But, successful nan end, nan champion action I've recovered is nan clip that Ridge uses connected its wallets -- and moreover that is acold from ideal.

Thankfully, third-party tags person entered nan market, and galore of them are cleanable for slipping into a wallet aliases purse. Even better, immoderate connection a fewer improvements complete Apple's AirTag.

One tag I've been testing precocious is nan UAG Metropolis by Urban Armor Gear, a institution known for its reliable smartphone cases. The Metropolis ticks each nan boxes for maine and is now my tag of prime for my wallet.

Why it useful for wallets

The Metropolis is designed to fresh perfectly alongside your in installments cards. It measures 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.1 inches (85.8 × 53.6 × 3.0 mm), making it astir nan thickness of 4 in installments cards.

Also: This Bluetooth locator has efficaciously replaced my AirTag pinch its enhanced durability alone

The paper is made of a reliable polycarbonate shell, ultrasonically welded on nan edges. It's IPX4-rated, meaning it's not dust-resistant and tin grip splashes. I moreover immersed nan paper aggregate times, and it kept moving flawlessly.

Durability: Can it grip mundane use?

A communal interest pinch slim locator cards is their durability. Wallets and purses thin to acquisition a batch of bending and flexing, which tin perchance harm thing containing a rechargeable battery.

Also: I took isolated nan caller AirTag 2 and recovered a superior flaw successful Apple's celebrated tracker

To trial this, I carried nan Metropolis tag successful my backmost pouch without a wallet for complete a week. Despite each nan bending and flexing, nan tag remained unaffected.

Battery life and charging

Inside nan Metropolis is simply a 110 mAh artillery that lasts astir 5 months nether normal use. When it's clip to recharge, you tin simply spot it connected a Qi aliases MagSafe wireless charger for a mates of hours.

Wireless charging is accelerated and convenient, and it intends nary batteries to propulsion distant and nary USB ports to capable pinch pouch schmoo.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

According to UAG, nan artillery is designed to past done 300 recharge cycles. That equates to complete 100 years of usage based connected nan battery's lifespan, truthful it's safe to opportunity nan artillery is built to last.

Compatibility: Apple Find My and Google Find Hub

The Metropolis useful pinch some Apple's Find My and Google's Find Hub networks. During setup, you take which web you want, and you tin reset nan paper later if needed.

Also: I put distant my AirTag conscionable minutes aft trying this Bluetooth locator replacement - here's why

The Bluetooth discovery scope is astir 200 feet (60 meters) successful perfect conditions, dropping to astir 100 feet (30 meters) indoors. These ranges are emblematic for Bluetooth trackers.

Do RFID-blocking wallets impact nan signal?

A mobility I've been asked a batch is whether RFID-blocking wallets limit nan scope of locator cards. After testing respective cards and wallets, I tin confidently opportunity that they don't person immoderate important effect.

Also: This AirTag-like paper locator is my apical prime for Android and iOS users - and it's rechargeable

However, metallic wallets, for illustration Ridge wallets, tin artifact nan signal. If this happens, you tin descent nan locator down nan money strap, which is Ridge's recommended workaround.

The speaker: A large positive

One standout characteristic of nan UAG Metropolis is its 95 dB speaker. This is astir arsenic large arsenic a powerfulness instrumentality and importantly louder than nan first-generation AirTags. It's connected par pinch nan second-gen AirTags, making it cleanable for uncovering a wallet mislaid successful a heap of clothes, heavy successful a sofa, aliases moreover successful a car.

Luggage use: Proceed pinch be aware

The Metropolis has a slot trim into it truthful it tin double arsenic a luggage tag. However, I'm not a instrumentality of utilizing locator tags for aerial recreation because I've seen galore get bent aliases damaged. Instead, I urge placing nan tag wrong your luggage aliases utilizing a rugged tag holder for other protection.

It bends, but won't break successful normal use.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

ZDNET's buying proposal

I really for illustration nan UAG Metropolis card. It's functional, stylish, and useful seamlessly pinch some Apple and Google's search networks. Plus, it doesn't require a third-party app to operate.

You tin besides remainder assured that nary 1 will usage it to way you surreptitiously -- it will trigger an chartless locator alert if that happens.

The paper besides pairs nicely pinch UAG's slim Kevlar magnetic wallet, which adds a touch of style and practicality.

Also: The champion Bluetooth trackers of 2026: Our apical picks to support tabs connected your stuff

At $45, nan Metropolis is competitively priced compared to different high-performing locator cards, for illustration those from Ridge, Rolling Square, aliases KeySmart (though deals whitethorn vary, truthful shop around).

I peculiarly emotion nan rounded corners and smooth, premium consciousness of this card. It's acold little apt to deterioration done nan sides of a wallet aliases purse compared to immoderate different cards I've tested.

The UAG Metropolis is an fantabulous replacement to Apple AirTags, particularly if you're looking for a locator that fits into your wallet aliases purse. While it doesn't support Apple's Precision Finding, its slim design, durability, and compatibility pinch some Apple and Google networks make it a beardown contender successful nan locator market.