Like even the best of us, we all at some point or another have either misplaced our keys or our wallet (sometimes both), and generally it’s always at the worst possible time. Sure, key trackers and card trackers are out there, but many are quite expensive, require clunky apps that don’t always work, or the trackers themselves need constant battery replacements, and many don’t generally have stylish aesthetics. Meet the new Ugreen Smart Finders, a low-cost solution made for iPhones that looks to solve all issues stated above.
UGreen was kind enough to send me both their latest Smart Finders for wallets and keys. Both units sell for well under $30 each and are ready to use straight out of their boxes. Unlike Apple AirTags, which generally require you to buy attachments so you can stick them to keys, suitcases, or wherever you would like to use them, both Smart Finders have openings so you can stick them on your keys or in your wallet/purse without needing additional purchases.
In both boxes, you find a large stack of paperwork in many languages and small lanyards to attach them to other items you may own. The wallet Smart Finder comes with a proprietary USB cable that magnetically attaches to the unit itself, while the key Smart Finder comes with a small sticker sheet with images you can use to identify what it will be attached to.
“The unit from UGreen Smart Finder was not much thicker than about a card and a half, and easily fit in my minimalist wallet…”
This is something useful if you plan to use multiple of these for different purposes. The key Smart Finder also comes with a small tool used to pop open the unit for replacing the battery, although you likely won’t need to do this often, as UGreen is claiming it will last up to two full years on a single battery, something only time will tell whether it is true or not.
Looking around at each unit, I was shocked at how thin UGreen was able to make the wallet Smart Finder. Others on the market are typically a couple of cards thick, almost too thick to stick in a thinner wallet. The unit from UGreen Smart Finder was not much thicker than about a card and a half, and it easily fit in my minimalist wallet, as well as my Ridge wallet and Secrid wallet, which hold all my other cards.
“From the app, you can see where each UGreen Smart Finder was last seen as well as trigger its tracking sound to help locate it.”
The key Smart Finder is about a 1.4” square, not much larger than that of an Apple AirTag. It also features a loop on the upper corner to attach to your keychain or whatever you would like. It too easily secured to my keys without taking up too much space or feeling unwieldly in my pockets.
Pairing both Smart Finders to your Apple Products is as simple as using the built-in Find My app and adding them via the “Add Other Item” option in the menu. Both units paired quickly and easily to my phone, and I was able to name them whatever I liked, along with giving them identifying images on the app.
From the app, you can see where each UGreen Smart Finder was last seen as well as trigger its tracking sound to help locate it. Once triggered, each unit lets out an adequately loud series of beeps to help you find them, and even when trying to hide each under couch cushions or under several pillows and blankets, they could still easily be heard throughout the room, making finding them a relatively easy task.
One minor gripe I had with the key Smart Finder over the card-style unit was the lack of any IP rating. Where the card unit features IP68 protection against the elements, the key unit does not, and I feel that’s a real miss when keys are more likely to be pulled out in worse conditions than wallets may typically get used in. It will be interesting to see how each unit fares in long-term usage as both are likely to get bumped around, sat on, or put through some nasty conditions that wallets and keys both generally endure.
Overall, for the low cost, these are excellent Smart Finders from UGreen and are an absolute must-have for anyone who often finds themselves misplacing items. The added bonus of not needing any additional software or subscription to use them is also a real win, as more companies are requiring you to make yet another account to use their products. If UGreen were able to make these units or other units compatible with Android-based devices, these would easily be a no-brainer and would be something I could see making a great stocking stuffer or spontaneous gift for just about anybody.
- Apple Find My Certified (iOS Only): No installation is required, simply connect tracker tags via the Find My app that comes with your iPhone. The app’s advanced encryption ensures that only you can access the smart tag’s location, providing better privacy protection. (Compatible only with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS systems.)
- 2-Year Replaceable Battery: Unlike other item finders with non-replaceable batteries or short lifespans, the UGREEN Finder Tag features a built-in low-power chip and a replaceable CR2032 button battery. Bluetooth tracker tags can last up to 2 years, and you can check the battery level anytime through the Find My app.
- Apple Find My Certified (iOS only): No installation required, use the Find My app that comes with your iPhone to connect. Safe and protected with Apple Find My certification.Note:Please make sure your device’s operation system is iOS/iPadOS14.5 and later or macOS12.5 and later.
- Ultra-thin design: UGREEN Finder Slim is only 1.7 mm thin, which corresponds to the thickness of 1 coin. You can easily put it in your wallet without getting stuck
