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Tile is best known for itsBluetooth-tracker. You can connect to Tile and use it to keep track of your belongings - the classic example being your keys, for example. But there's a lot more going on with Tile, as the company looks to expand its offerings to make it easier to keep track of your belongings or find items you misplaced. How Find with Tile works and everything you need to know.
What is Tile?
Tile is a company that offers trackers that connect via Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE or BLE), allowing the owner to use a smartphone app to locate those trackers if necessary. The company itself sells a number of different trackers - Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim and Tile Sticker - and works with other Bluetooth devices, such as headphones. With headphones you don't need a separate Tile tracker, the system runs on the device's native Bluetooth hardware, known as Find with Tile, where that technology is supported.
Tile Pro (2022)
$35 at Amazon (US) £30 on Amazon (UK)
There are 40 million Tiles (based on 2021 figures) and these users make up the finding network for Tile.
Was it searching with tile?
As we mentioned above, Find with Tile extends the Tile system beyond its own trackers. It allows other Bluetooth devices to be included in the Tile ecosystem, allowing you to find and locate those devices just like a Tile tracker. For example, there is support from Bose, so you can register themSoundSportHeadphones in the Tile app and you can use the app to find those headphones. TheSennheiser Momentum wirelessalso provide the technical There is nothing to add to the hardware, everything is software based and uses the headphones' existing Bluetooth chip and battery. It's also been adopted by companies like HP for some laptops and most recently by Fitbit for theinspire 2.
The Find with Tile system is designed to link a lot more things, meaning you can track a whole bunch of different items, with over 20 partnerships already announced. Tile's goal is to connect all of your devices so you can easily find something you've lost at home, at the gym, on the bus, or anywhere.
How does Tile location work?
The Tile location system uses BLE to connect to devices - all it needs is Bluetooth and some battery life. When a device is within range, you can just open the app on your phone, tap the tile and find it. The tile will then play a melody so you can find it. If you are out of range, you can see the last recorded location (which comes from your phone's location at the time) so you can retrace your steps to find the lost item.
But there's also a much bigger community game here. If you're no longer in that area, you can tap the button in the app to notify you when your device is found, and the rest of the Tile community comes into play. If your lost item is discovered by another Tile user, its location will be sent back to you. It's all anonymous, so you don't know who discovered your item and they don't know they discovered your item. You just get the location back to your app so you can find your missing belongings.
Tapping into this wider community gives Tile a great advantage — if you live in an urban or suburban area, there are probably thousands of Tile users in your area — making it easier to find things you might lose. As the community grows through more partnerships, the density of the Tile community will increase, which in turn increases the chances of finding your missing item.
The system also works the other way around: you can use any tile to find your phone with a double tap.
Tile Mate (2022)
$25 at Amazon (US) £20 on Amazon (UK)
Which devices and companies work with Tile?
This question has two sides. First, Tile can run in software if it knows what Bluetooth hardware is in a device. Coming back to the Bose SoundSport headphones, for example, it was a software solution that was added when the headphones were already on sale. But Tile has also worked on itbuilding partnershipsIntegrate Tile functionality with Bluetooth hardware vendors. These companies include:
- Qualcomm
- Semiconductor dialog box
- Silicon Labs
- cypress
- Toshiba
- Nordic semiconductor
These companies are among the largest Bluetooth suppliers on the market. When a company creates a new device, say a fitness tracker, they can choose to use Tile location as a feature of their headphones, as it is natively supported by Bluetooth hardware. For example, Nordic Semiconductor is used by Garmin and Polar, so it could offer Find with Tile functionality in future devices.
Some major brands already work with Tile, including:
- Bose
- Fitbit
- Skullcandy
- Samsonite
- Herschel
- PS
- Away
- KeySmart
- Xfinity
- Monster
- Nomadic
- Strengthens
Some of these brands' products have a "Find with Tile" feature that makes it easy to find these items at home or on the go.
bag of fluff
Tiles and the smart home
Tracking your devices doesn't stop with your phone. Tile also has partnerships with Google and Amazon, which means you can useGoogle Assistantor Alexa to find devices too, meaning you can use your voice. You can also useSiri Shortcuts. Tile also supports Assistant Connect, a Google feature that allows interaction without using Google Cloud. In this case, you can find a tile with your Google HomeNest Huband no information needs to be sent over the cloud - it can be point-to-point in your home.
With Amazon Alexa you need to enable the Tile Skill, log into your account to link them - then you can just say "Alexa, ask Tile to find my keys", it will find the device on your keys and make it ring.
There's also a bigger home game with Tile. Comcast is both an investor and a partner in Tile, and yes, Comcast's set-top boxes can also be used for Tile functionality to locate lost items on your TV.
Tile smart (2022)
$34 at Amazon (US) £30 on Amazon (UK)
Tile subscriptions
Most of the Tile features are available to you at no additional cost - they're mainly included in the initial cost of the device. However, there is a subscription offer with a premium tier that unlocks some additional features. For an annual fee of $29.99 (or $2.99 per month), you can access a number of other features:
- Unlimited sharing of Tile devices with family friends
- Smart Alert to let you know when you leave home without anything you usually take with you
- 30-day location history so you can see where your tile has been
- Free battery replacement for Tile Pro or Mate
- 3 year warranty on your Tiles
- First class customer support
What about alternative devices from Apple and Samsung?
Apple Airtaguses the same Bluetooth Low Energy system and works similarly to Tile. The advantage that Apple offers is that all iPhones can recognize AirTags. So if you lose them, a huge FindMy network is already there. However, the range of the Tile is significantly better than that of the Apple device. Apple offersUltrabreitband (UWB)for a more accurate location, which is an advantage. Samsung has those tooGalaxy Smart Tag, which only works with Galaxy devices, via SmartThings Find, but offers essentially the same functionality as Tile. Again, the downside is that it's limited to Samsung devices only and no support for other phones is planned. However, the SmartTag+ offers UWB.
Tile Stickers (2022)
$30 at Amazon (US) £25 on Amazon (UK)
What about future plans for Tile?
Tile will launch a device that will do this in the futureUse UWB technology, a short-range wireless protocol ideal for accurate direction finding. UWB is supported from iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S from S21+.
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The technology allows you to locate an item more precisely than the current Bluetooth approach and use augmented reality - AR - to locate that device through your phone's screen. That means you don't have to rely on sound alone - and this will help Tile better compete with the functionality of Apple's AirTag and Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag+. The new model will be called Tile Ultra. However, this was announced in 2021 and has not yet started.
FAQs
What is Tile, how does Find with Tile work and what devices can you use it with? ›
How does Tile location work? The Tile location system uses BLE to connect to devices - all it needs is Bluetooth and some battery life. When a device is in range, you can simply open the app on your phone, tap the Tile and find it - the Tile then plays a tune so you can locate it.
How does Tile find work? ›How does Tile location work? The Tile location system uses BLE to connect to devices - all it needs is Bluetooth and some battery life. When a device is in range, you can simply open the app on your phone, tap the Tile and find it - the Tile then plays a tune so you can locate it.
How do I Find My Tile? ›When you open the Tile app and tap on the Tile, you will notice a circle around that Tile's photo. If the circle surrounding the item is a solid green, then your Tile is in range. Ring your Tile to locate it. If the circle is dotted green and spinning, your Tile is in range, but it hasn't connected to your device yet.
How do we use tile? ›For Tile to work, you need to first install the Tile app on your mobile device (smartphone or tablet). When you add a Tile, the app "discovers" the Bluetooth-enabled Tile and establishes a connection. Your Tile then uses the location services of your mobile device to communicate location information to the app.
Does Tile work with Find My Device? ›1. Find My Phone With Tile. The Tile App isn't just handy for finding lost items around you, there are several features that help make your day easier. One of them is the find my phone feature, which is super easy to use.
How does Tile lost and found work? ›The 2022 Tile lineup - Pro, Mate, and Slim - have a QR code printed on the back that can be scanned when someone finds your lost Tile to coordinate the return of your Tile. Your contact details will only be visible if you have turned on the Notify When Found feature and entered your information.
How does Tile help me Find My phone? ›FIND FAR AWAY -- When outside of Bluetooth range, use the Tile app to view your Tile's most recent location on a map. FIND YOUR PHONE - Double press the button on your Tile to make your phone ring, even when it's on silent. NOTIFY WHEN FOUND -- Use the Tile Network to help find your things.
How many Tile devices are there? ›Tile Mate remains our Bluetooth tracker pick for Android users. It still has a robust number of users in its network, with more than 35 million devices sold.
Does Tile work without WiFi? ›You do not need a data connection (cellular or WiFi) to:
Ring your Tile (requires Bluetooth only) See your Tile's location history. Find your phone.
Remember, a Tile can only be connected to one device at a time.
Does Tile work with iPhone? ›
Apple Devices
If you have an iOS device running iOS 14 or newer, Tile is compatible with: iPhone 6s or newer. iPad (Regular, Pro, and Mini) Apple Watch Series 2 or newer.
For iOS devices, you can give voice commands to Apple's virtual assistant Siri to find your Tiles. You customize these commands using Siri Shortcuts.
Does Tile work on laptop? ›Once activated in the Tile Windows app, you can use all your favorite Tile features on the Tile Mobile app to track your laptop, such as: Ringing your laptop, Viewing the last known location and enlisting the secure help of the Tile Network can aid in your search.
Why do we use tile? ›Hypoallergenic – Tile is inhospitable to dust mites, mold, germs, and bacteria and often used to replace carpet for people with allergies or asthma. Low maintenance – Ceramic tile is easily cleaned, often only with warm water, eliminating the need for chemicals and cleaners needed to maintain other types of floors.
Can tile tracker track a car? ›Using a car tracking device like Tile is an excellent way to track your car's location and make sure it always remains secure. With Tile, you can simply attach the tracker to your car door or hide it in your vehicle and use the app to locate its location.
Is tile a GPS tracker? ›The Tile itself does not have GPS location services.
To track your Tiled items as they move in real time, they have to be within range. For example, to track your Tiled car keys in real time, the keys must be within Bluetooth range of your smartphone.
Tile uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to help you keep track of the thing you use and lose most, through our free app you can download on your smartphone or tablet. Or, consider getting a Tile-enabled product from some of our partners, like HP, Skullcandy and more.
How does Tile track you? ›Tile tracker review
Once a Bluetooth connection is made between your Tile and mobile device, Tile then uses the location services of your mobile device to communicate up-to-date location information to the app.
You can sign up for a monthly subscription for $2.99 per month or opt in to our yearly subscription for $29.99 per year which is a 16% savings. Premium Protect offers all the benefits of Premium, plus up to $1000 Item Reimbursement per year for your items if Tile can't find them. Your price is just $99.99 yearly.
How far can you track the Tile? ›The Tile Mate has a range of up to 250 feet, making it well-suited for a wide range of uses, especially around the house.
Can Tile tracker find a stolen car? ›
Tile's Anti-Theft Mode for Tracking Cars
If a thief steals your vehicle, the Tile in the car cannot be traced when scanned. As a result, the thief cannot find it and disable it using the scan. Stolen cars can be tracked until they are found.
Your Tile pairs with your smartphone's Bluetooth to keep you connected and easily track your luggage. As long as you're within a 400ft range (will vary based on tracker model), a quick search for your luggage on your smartphone will prompt your Tile to start ringing allowing you to track your lost bag fast.
Can two phones find the same Tile? ›Both devices can ring the shared Tile as long as the device is within Bluetooth range of the Tile. You can ring a shared Tile one user at a time. Make sure both devices have the most up-to-date Tile app version. Tile made it easy for me to handle my issue.
Is Tile as good as AirTag? ›Apple's AirTags and Tile's trackers are both great options for tracking your stuff, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Tile trackers have a better Bluetooth range than AirTags. However, AirTags' integration with the Find My network makes them much more powerful than any Tile device.
How do I connect my phone to Tile? ›Download the free Tile app onto your smartphone or tablet. Tile works on both Android® and Apple® devices. Once the app has been downloaded and installed, open it up and tap Get Started. You'll be taken to the Add a Device screen.
Is Tile free to use? ›You can use your Tile without a Premium or Premium Protect subscription. While we highly recommend the benefits provided by our subscription plans, our primary goal is to make sure you are connected to the things that matter most.
Can I track Tile from another country? ›Even if you misplace your item somewhere out of range, the global Tile Network can help you search for lost and stolen belongings. The Tile Network finds over 6 million lost objects every day all over the world.
Does Tile tracker work internationally? ›As long as your device is compatible with Tile, and you have Bluetooth enabled, you should be able to use your phone to ring it, and in reverse, use a Tile to ring your phone almost anywhere around the world.
How long does a Tile device last? ›Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker all come with a sealed 3-year battery. You can simply use these devices for up to three years without ever needing to worry about the battery dying or the Tile running out of power.
Is Tile worth it? ›If you use an Android phone, go with Tile trackers, including the Tile Mate (2022). With the second-largest crowd-finding network, Tile is the best option for those who don't use Apple's phones.
Do all Tiles need be the same in all rooms? ›
There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.
Does Tile drain your iPhone battery? ›However, a test conducted by Wirecutter found that leaving Bluetooth unconnected has little impact on battery life. It also showed that even connecting to a Bluetooth device like a fitness watch or a Tile tracker had a minimal effect on a phone's battery.
What tracker has the longest range? ›...
- #1 Best Overall: Bouncie.
- #2 Best Tracking: LandAirSea.
- #3 Most Versatile: Tracki.
- #4 Best Premium Option: Vyncs.
- #5 Best Data Plans: Spytec.
- Buyers Guide.
- FAQ.
Tile's trackers and Apple's AirTags both do essentially the same thing: help you find your personal belongings if they get lost.
Can Tile find my Airpods? ›Find an item with a Tile tracker attached that has been synced to your phone, which could be something like your keys, your wallet, your passport, or even your Airpods case. Double press the button on your Tile tracker to ring your missing phone.
Can Apple users use Tile? ›Tile, on the other hand, offers apps for Android and iOS, so its trackers work with just about any recent smartphone. If you're an Android user, Tile is the only way to go.
Is Tile only for Android? ›Tile trackers and the free Tile app work with Android® and Apple® devices.
Does Tile app need to run in background? ›The app does have to be open and running in the background in order to have accurate location updates of your Tile, and so that you can ring your phone when it's within Bluetooth range (30-100 feet). Force closing the app at any time stops the communication between your app and Tile.
Is it good to put laptop on the floor? ›Leaving Your Laptop on The Floor
Not only will you crush the screen, but potentially damage your hard drive. In other words, keep your laptop safely put away, and never leave it on the floor.
The Tile itself does not have GPS location services.
To track your Tiled items as they move in real time, they have to be within range. For example, to track your Tiled car keys in real time, the keys must be within Bluetooth range of your smartphone.
Is there a monthly fee for the Tile? ›
You can sign up for a monthly subscription for $2.99 per month or opt in to our yearly subscription for $29.99 per year which is a 16% savings. Premium Protect offers all the benefits of Premium, plus up to $1000 Item Reimbursement per year for your items if Tile can't find them. Your price is just $99.99 yearly.
Can you track a Tile from anywhere? ›There are a number of reasons why Tile such a popular Bluetooth tracker. It's one of the first Bluetooth tracking devices to revolutionize the electronics industry. When you attach a Tile to your item, you'll be able to find it anywhere as long as it's within the Bluetooth tracking range.
Can Tile track a car? ›Tile makes car tracking affordable and easy. All you have to do is pick any Tile tracker (we recommend the Tile Pro for maximum power) and pop it in your glove box or under a car seat. Then, simply download the Tile app, which is available for both iOS and Android.
Is Tile as good as Airtag? ›Apple's AirTags and Tile's trackers are both great options for tracking your stuff, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Tile trackers have a better Bluetooth range than AirTags. However, AirTags' integration with the Find My network makes them much more powerful than any Tile device.
Do Tile trackers use other phones? ›Both devices can ring the shared Tile as long as the device is within Bluetooth range of the Tile. You can ring a shared Tile one user at a time. Make sure both devices have the most up-to-date Tile app version.
Why does Tile cost so much? ›Two major factors affect the cost of individual tiles: material and size. Porcelain and acrylic tend to be less expensive tile materials because they are cheap to manufacture. On the other hand, natural stone and hand-crafted ceramic tile cost more because they require more effort to produce.
How much should I budget for tile? ›Tile installation cost breakdown
In general, the tiles themselves typically cost between $2 to $10 per square foot , while the actual installation costs range from $5 to $14 per square foot.
To scan for errant Tile trackers, download the latest version of the Tile app from Google's Play Store or Apple's App Store. For people without an account, simply tap on the 'Scan' button at the top-right corner of the welcome screen.