While I rely on an AirTag attached to my keychain to keep my keys in check, it’s clear that an AirTag is too bulky for a wallet. This is where the SwitchBot Wallet Finder comes into play.
Designed in a slim, credit card-like shape, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder integrates seamlessly with the Find My app on your iPhone, allowing you to track its location effortlessly. It even includes a speaker to emit a beep, assisting you in locating your wallet when it eventually goes missing within your home. Keep reading for my take on this product…
Setup
Setting up the Wallet Finder is incredibly straightforward. Although it claims compatibility with its app and Android, I exclusively utilized it via the Apple Find My app on my phone, completely bypassing the SwitchBot app. To initiate setup, launch Find My, select Add Item, and press and hold the button on the Wallet Finder card for a few seconds.
Next, you’ll assign a name and emoji to identify it. The default suggestion was ‘Benjamin’s Keys’, but I opted to rename it to ‘Benjamin’s Wallet’, selected an appropriate wallet emoji, pressed Continue, and just like that, I was finished. It conveniently fits into one of the empty card slots in my wallet.
How it Tracks Location
It’s important to note that Find My accessories don’t feature GPS. Instead, they emit a low-energy Bluetooth signal picked up by nearby Apple devices—like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The location is then securely transmitted to the Find My network for you to locate your lost item.
Even if you are miles away, you can still track the wallet’s location as long as an Apple device is within range. Plus, there are no ongoing fees or subscriptions involved (which can’t be said for some other products).
The Find My network has proven effective, as seen with the success of AirTags, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder is equally reliable. If your wallet is stationary and within range of one of the billion iOS devices globally, you’ll see its location pop up in Find My without delay. If it’s moving, location updates may lag slightly behind real-time.
Additionally, you can use the Find My app to mark your item as lost. Should someone discover your wallet and wish to return it, they can utilize the Identify Found Item feature in Find My, which will display your contact details for arranging its return. The forthcoming iOS 18.2 update even introduces a shareable link feature to aid tracking down misplaced items.
Finding Nearby Using the Speaker
Unlike an AirTag, the Wallet Finder lacks ultra-wideband capabilities, meaning it does not provide the Precision Finding feature that AirTags offer when in close range.
Nevertheless, the Wallet Finder’s built-in speaker more than fulfills the need for locating your missing wallet. Within Bluetooth range, the card produces a reasonably loud sound, albeit slightly quieter than that of an AirTag. Naturally, the sound may be muffled when tucked inside a closed wallet, but it remains audible enough to detect from a distance.
In those (embarrassingly frequent) moments when I’ve misplaced my wallet within my house, I can simply open the Find My app, hit ‘Play Sound’, and immediately determine its location.
The Find My app also integrates with the Siri voice assistant for added ease of use. For example, I can ask my HomePod, ‘Where’s my wallet?’ and it will start pinging the wallet for me.
Safety and Tracking
Similar to AirTags, the Wallet Finder is intended for helping locate lost items. It isn’t designed for theft recovery or to track individuals without their consent. If the card is distanced from its owner for a while, it will emit a sound to alert those nearby of its presence. It will also trigger ‘Unknown Item Moving With You’ notifications on surrounding iPhones.
It’s also important to note that if someone else gains possession of the card, they can deactivate the Find My connection by following a specific shutdown procedure.
Conclusion
When utilized for its intended function, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder proves to be highly effective and an excellent value. Designed to fit snugly in a wallet, it even includes a built-in hole for attachment to a lanyard or keychain if desired. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The only potential downside to consider is that the Wallet Finder card does not allow for battery replacement. It is a single-use device, estimated to last about three years. However, since the contents of your wallet are invaluable, it likely makes sense to purchase a replacement once it eventually wears out. You just have to weigh that against your feelings on environmental waste.
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