lost and found :: no more missing keys and phone!

I’m usually fairly good at knowing where things are. Except when I’m not. Know what I mean? When I shove my keys in my pocket because it’s too hard to pull in the garbage and recycling with my keys in hand. But then I have no idea where they are when they’re not on my key hook? Or when I’m checking a quick message while I’m getting clothes for my toddler and then my phone is left on his dresser for the rest of the day until I go to get him pajamas at night? Yeah. It’s those times that I need help. And that’s where Tile comes in.

We’re busy moms. And, while I don’t like to consider myself distracted, sometimes I just am! So I decided to try something out to help me when I make mistakes just like these. I got a couple Tile trackers and put them to the test. Since I typically lose things inside my own house, Tile is a good tracker for me. I need something that can alert me to where my things are so I don’t have to spend the day ransacking my house for my missing keys. This page explains how it works much better than I can.  Basically I just download the free app, follow the instructions and my Tiles are linked to my iPhone.

Contrary to what it might seem, Tile is not a GPS tracker. This means it’s not meant to be used to try to locate stolen items or track things down to the exact location. So if you’re hoping to keep it on a pet that gets out a lot, it’s not going to likely be too helpful with that (though here is a cool story about a stolen bike being located). It uses Bluetooth and emits a noise to help you locate the tracker once you get close. This makes it perfect to find things I lose inside my house (like the keys I shoved in my pocket or my phone that’s up on my nightstand). It plays a tune on my keys until I locate them and allows my phone to ring even when the ringer is turned off so I can easily find it.

It also works via the app and other users to locate missing items. You get an alert that your item has been found (the other user does not–don’t worry–it won’t be a mad rush of Tile users hoping to steal your missing phone). It also can tell you the last time and place you had your item if you keep the app running on your phone.  And while it took a little getting used to, I’ve found that I can leave the app open and it doesn’t drain the battery like I assumed it would.

Tile trackers work for one year before they expire.  And at $25 (or less) per Tile, that’s just about $2/month.  Easy math to me!