I keep an AirTag on my keychain to track my keys, but it’s too bulky to fit inside a wallet. That’s where the SwitchBot Wallet Finder comes into play. (Right now, the Wallet Finder is 30% off for Black Friday, making it an even more appealing buy.)
Housed in a slim, credit card-like design, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder syncs with the Find My app on your iPhone, allowing you to track its location. It also features a built-in speaker that lets you make it beep whenever your wallet accidentally goes missing somewhere in your home.
Setup
Setting up the Wallet Finder is incredibly straightforward. While it technically offers its own app and is compatible with Android, I have only used it with the Find My app on my iPhone. In fact, I didn’t even bother downloading the SwitchBot app. To get started, simply open Find My, select Add Item, and press and hold the button on the Wallet Finder card for a few seconds.
You can then assign a name and emoji to the item for easier identification later. It initially recommended ‘Benjamin’s Keys’, but I renamed it to ‘Benjamin’s Wallet’, chose a suitable wallet-related emoji, and hit Continue. In no time, it was ready to slip into an empty card slot in my wallet.
How it Tracks Location
Keep in mind that Find My accessories do not come equipped with GPS. Instead, they transmit a low-energy Bluetooth signal that is detected by nearby Apple devices—such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The location information is then sent privately and securely to the Find My network, enabling you to recover your lost item.
Even if you’re far away, as long as someone with an Apple device is nearby, you can see the wallet on the map in the Find My app. Plus, there are no ongoing fees or subscriptions to worry about (unlike some competing products).
The Find My network has proven its effectiveness with AirTags, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder performs just as well. If the item remains stationary and is close to one of the billions of iOS devices globally, its location will quickly appear in Find My. There may be slight delays in location updates when the item is in motion.
You can also utilize the Find My app to mark your item as lost. If someone discovers your wallet and wants to return it, they can use the Identify Found Item feature in Find My to access your contact information and facilitate the return. The upcoming iOS 18.2 update will even introduce a shareable link feature to help others track your lost items.
Finding Nearby Using the Speaker
Unlike an AirTag, the Wallet Finder lacks a wideband radio, which means it does not offer the Precision Finding feature when you’re in close proximity.
Nevertheless, the integrated speaker does a commendable job of helping you locate a misplaced wallet. Within Bluetooth range, the card emits a reasonably loud sound, though it’s slightly softer than the noise an AirTag generates. While the sound may be a bit muffled if the card is inside a closed wallet, it’s still easy to hear from a distance.
In the (embarrassingly frequent) scenario where I misplace my wallet in my home, I can simply open the Find My app, hit ‘Play Sound’, and identify which room I left it in.
Find My is also compatible with Siri, providing extra convenience. For instance, I can simply ask my HomePod, ‘Where’s my wallet?’ and it will start pinging it for me.
Safety and Tracking
Similar to AirTags, the Wallet Finder is aimed at helping users recover lost items, rather than addressing theft or covertly tracking individuals. If the card is left unattended for a while, it emits a sound to alert nearby individuals to its presence. It will also send ‘Unknown Item Moving With You’ alerts to any iPhone nearby.
It’s worth noting that someone who possesses the card can disable the Find My connection by following a specific button-press sequence.
Conclusion
When utilized for its intended purpose, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder proves to be highly effective and offers excellent value for the money. Although it’s designed primarily for wallets, it even features a cut-out hole, allowing you to attach it to a lanyard or keychain if desired. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The only potential downside is that the Wallet Finder card doesn’t come with a battery replacement option. It acts as a one-time use item, expected to last about three years. However, since the contents of your wallet are valuable, it likely makes financial sense to buy a new one once it runs out. Just keep in mind the environmental impact of disposal.
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