Apple AirTag For Keys and Other Items + 3 Great Alternatives For Android Users

The Apple AirTag is one of the most practical and useful devices I’ve purchased in the past year. I used it for my luggage when I was backpacking through different countries and it gave me peace of mind because I always knew where my stuff was.

Since getting one for traveling, I’ve gotten a few more so I could use the Apple AirTag for keys, wallet, and other essential items that I want to constantly keep track of.

Is the AirTag really a necessity? Some would say “no” and that it’s just an added expense but as someone who’s always forgetting where I put my stuff, I find it quite useful. 

So here’s a quick post on how to set up and use the AirTag for keys, plus how to use it with other small items and the benefits you can get from it. And since the Apple AirTag can only be used with an Apple device, I’ll be including some alternatives for Android users. 

Let’s get to it!

Setting Up The Apple AirTag For Keys

Setting up the Apple AirTag is a quick and simple process but make sure you download the Find My app first. If you’re using an iPhone 11 or later, it has a U1 chip which means that the AirTag will automatically prompt you to set it up and you can just follow the instructions on your screen.

If you have an older iPhone model, you can set up the AirTag manually as long as your phone is running at least iOS 14.5. Here’s how you can do the manual setup of the Apple AirTag for keys.

• Open the Find My app on your Apple device. Once in the app, tap on the “Add” button on the bottom-left corner of the screen.
• Choose “AirTag” from the list of available devices and name your AirTag by choosing “Keys” from the list of preset options. Or you can add a custom name and emoji.
• Then follow the prompts on your screen to complete the process.

Once your AirTag is set up, then you just need to attach it to your keys and for that, you’d need an AirTag holder. Unfortunately, that’s not included when you buy it from Apple so that’s an additional expense.

However, AirTag holders can be quite cheap depending on the brand and material used. I have a simple one that’s made from some silicone material which comes with a cute TinyTAN keychain. There are lots of options on Amazon in different colors and materials, so you can go crazy. 

Here are some great options for Apple AirTag holders for your keys:

• KeySmart Air Key Holder for AirTag – For $36, this is a key organizer and Apple AirTag holder in one. It has a rugged feel and it’s made from Tectuff leather, which is more durable than regular leather.
• Citiway AirTag Keychain Holder (4-pack) – Made of high-quality ABS plastic, this keychain holder is sturdy and has an IPX8 waterproof rating. It comes in a pack of four, retailing for only $18.
• Eusty AirTag Keychain – This AirTag holder is made from soft polyurethane leather that’s scratch-proof and durable. It comes in a pack of four, with different colors, and only costs $12.
• Belkin Apple AirTag Holder – This case comes in a twist-and-lock design that securely holds your Apple AirTag. It costs a little over $10 and comes in four colors: black, white, pink, and blue.
• JETech AirTag Case – This is a great budget option. For only $8, you get two holders made from silicone, with an array of colors to choose from.

Using the Apple AirTag For Keys

After setting up your AirTag for your keys, you can now track its location in real time and easily find it around the house using the Find My app on your phone. Now, you may be wondering how this works if you’re just at home and the app will show that your keys are with you.

Well, the Find My app has a “Find” feature that shows the precise location of your item. Here’s how to use it:

• Open the Find My app. Tap on “Items” at the bottom of the screen and choose the AirTag that’s associated with your keys.
• Tap on the “Find” option. 

Doing this will show you how far or close you are to the item you’re trying to find. It’ll give you accurate information by displaying how many meters away the item is. It’ll also show you the direction, whether the item is to your left or your right side – yes, it’s that accurate!

Once you’re close enough to the item, say 2 meters or less, you can tap on the “Play Sound” option and the AirTag will play a sound so you can pinpoint its exact location.

And the sound is actually pretty loud. I tested it by putting the AirTag inside my closet and inside my bag and as long as I’m within 5 meters away, I can hear the sound. I tested it at around 10 meters, with the AirTag inside a drawer, and the sound was faint but still audible.

I thought that this was a really cool and useful feature for finding small essential items around the house.

Benefits Of Using The Apple AirTag For Keys

There are several benefits to using the Apple AirTag for keys and other small important items.

Item Tracking

The AirTag allows you to keep track of your keys and other items using the Find My app on your iPhone, which can be incredibly useful if you frequently misplace these items or have a tendency to forget where you put them around the house.

Precision Finding

With the combination of the Find My app, Bluetooth technology, and ultra-wideband technology, you can easily locate your keys. The app can guide you to the exact location so you can retrieve them.

Lost Mode Feature

This is a great feature if you lose your keys outside of your house. You can put the AirTag in Lost Mode and if someone else with an iPhone comes within range of your AirTag, you’ll get a notification with its location. This gives you a better chance of retrieving your lost keys.

Community Find

If you lost your keys and you’re nowhere near it, you can still find it as Apple has a vast network consisting of millions of Apple devices. Through this network, other Apple devices in the area can anonymously detect your AirTag and relay its location to you.

Customizable Notifications

With the Find My app, you can set up notifications for when you leave your keys behind, which will remind you to pick them up before you get too far.

Other Items You Can Track With The Apple AirTag

Keeping tabs on house keys or car keys is one of the most common uses for the Apple AirTag.

Here are other essential items that you can track with the AirTag and how to attach them. And don’t forget to assign different names to each item so you don’t get them mixed up when tracking them on the Find My app.

Wallet

Apart from keys, this is another essential item that people commonly use their AirTag with. You can just place the AirTag inside your wallet and you’re all set. If you have a slimmer wallet, then you can place the AirTag in a holder with a keyring and attach that to the zipper of your wallet.

Bags or Purses

An AirTag can also be placed in bags, purses, or backpacks, so you can keep track of them. You can put the AirTag in the inner pocket of your bag or attach it like a keychain using a holder.

Remote Controls

If you’re constantly misplacing your TV remote control inside the house, then you can quickly find it using the AirTag. You can get an AirTag holder with an adhesive sticker for easy installation.

Headphones or Earphones

Unless you’re using an Apple AirPod that can be tracked on its own, an AirTag can be attached to the case of your wireless earbuds or headphones. If you’re using wired earphones or headphones, you can just place the AirTag inside the carrying pouch.

Other Devices

If you own other devices, then you may want to always track these items, knowing how expensive and valuable they can be. You can place an AirTag inside your camera bag to keep tabs on your photography equipment. You can also place an AirTag inside the case that holds your Nintendo Switch and other gadgets.

Android Alternatives For The Apple AirTag

If you’re an Android user, then here are some alternatives to the Apple AirTag. These trackers offer similar functionality to tracking keys, wallets, and other small essential items.

1. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

2. Tile Mate 

3. Chipolo ONE

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re someone who’s always misplacing their things around the house or someone who just wants to always keep tabs on their important belongings, then it’s very handy to get an Apple AirTag for keys, wallet, and other essential items.

Or any tracking device, for that matter.

If you know of other tracking devices that you want to share or if you have some questions about the Apple AirTag, then fire away in the comments below.

This post was last updated on 2025-03-21 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.