I keep an AirTag on my keychain to track my keys, but it’s not suitable for placement inside a wallet. That’s where the SwitchBot Wallet Finder comes into play.
Designed in a slim, credit-card shape, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder connects to the Find My app on your iPhone, allowing you to monitor its location. It even includes a speaker that emits a sound, helping you locate your wallet when it inevitably vanishes somewhere in your house. Continue reading for my review …
Setting Up
The setup process couldn’t be easier. While it technically supports its own app and Android devices, I have only used it with the Apple Find My app on my iPhone. I didn’t even bother downloading the SwitchBot app. To set it up, simply open Find My, tap on Add Item, and press and hold the button on the Wallet Finder card for a few seconds.
You’ll then select a name and emoji icon for future identification. It initially suggested ‘Benjamin’s Keys’, but I changed it to ‘Benjamin’s Wallet’, picked one of the wallet-related emojis, pressed Continue, and that was it. Afterward, I just placed it in one of the vacant card slots in my wallet.
Location Tracking
It’s important to note that Find My accessories do not feature GPS. Instead, they emit a low-energy Bluetooth signal which is detected by nearby Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This information is securely transmitted to the Find My network, so you can potentially locate your lost item.
Even from a distance, as long as another Apple device is nearby, the wallet’s location can be tracked via the Find My app map. Additionally, there’s no ongoing subscription fee or hidden costs (unlike some alternatives).
The Find My network is proven effective, as evidenced by the popularity of AirTags, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder performs equally well. If your item remains stationary and in proximity to one of the billions of iOS devices globally, its location quickly appears in Find My. If it’s moving, however, location updates might lag slightly behind real-time.
You can also mark your item as lost in the Find My app. If someone finds your wallet and wants to return it, they can utilize the Identify Found Item feature, which displays your contact information to help facilitate the return. The upcoming iOS 18.2 update adds a function to create a shareable link to assist in tracking down lost belongings.
Locating Nearby with the Speaker
Unlike AirTags, the Wallet Finder doesn’t utilize ultra-wideband radio technology, meaning it lacks the Precision Finding capability that AirTags offer when nearby.
Nevertheless, the Wallet Finder’s built-in speaker effectively assists in locating your lost wallet. Within Bluetooth range, the card produces a reasonably loud sound. Its volume is slightly less than that of an AirTag, and it may be slightly muffled when inside a closed wallet, but it’s still audible enough to be heard from a distance.
In the (embarrassingly frequent) situation where I’ve misplaced my wallet at home, I can simply open the Find My app, hit ‘Play Sound’, and instantly determine the room it’s in.
Find My is also compatible with Siri, enhancing convenience. For instance, I can ask my HomePod, ‘where’s my wallet?’ and it will begin pinging for me.
Safety and Tracking
Much like AirTags, the Wallet Finder is designed to help recover lost items rather than address theft or track individuals unlawfully. If the card becomes separated from its owner for a certain period, the speaker will emit a sound to draw attention to its presence. It will also trigger ‘Unknown Item Moving With You’ alerts on nearby iPhones.
It’s worth mentioning that an individual who possesses the card can disable the Find My connection by following a specific button-pressing sequence.
Conclusion
When utilized for its primary function, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is incredibly effective and offers excellent value. Although it is designed to fit inside a wallet, it also includes a built-in hole for attaching it to a lanyard or keychain if desired. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The only potential downside is that the Wallet Finder card is not rechargeable; it is a single-use item rated for approximately three years. However, considering the worth of the contents in your wallet, it likely makes sense financially to purchase a new one when it inevitably expires. You will just need to reconcile with the environmental impact of disposing of it.
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