Tile Review: Never Lose Your Belongings Again

Tile is a smart tracker that you can attach to your valuables, such as keys and wallets, to free yourself from the anxiety of losing them.
Equipped with features to ring the device to locate items and prevent you from leaving things behind, it helps you eliminate daily searching and lead a smarter life.

By reading this article, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Tile, from its basic functions to model-specific reviews and important considerations.
Find the perfect Tile for you and enjoy a more comfortable daily life.

We received products for this article from Tile. (Titles omitted)
In accordance with our content production policy, we strive to provide fair and impartial reviews.

What is Tile? An overview of lost-item prevention tags

Tile is a smart tracker that allows you to find lost items by sound.
By attaching it to important items like keys, smartphones, wallets, and bags, you can free yourself from the anxiety of losing them.

Basic functions and features of Tile

The main functions of Tile are as follows:

Function	Description
Find items by sound	Play a sound from the Tile device to pinpoint its location
Record last known location	Displays the last location where Bluetooth was connected on the app map
Tile Network	Notifies your app when Tile users around the world detect your lost item
Integration with Life360	Allows you to keep watch over important people and items
SOS feature	Press the Tile button in an emergency to send an SOS notification and location information to your Life360 Circle

How the Tile “finding” system works

The “finding” capability of Tile is supported by three elements: Bluetooth, the dedicated app, and the Tile Network.
Tile connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and is operated through the dedicated app.
Even when outside the Bluetooth connection range, if other Tile users around the world detect your Tile, the location information is sent to your app.
This Tile Network enables wide-range tracking.

Tile’s extensive lineup

Tile offers an extensive lineup tailored to various needs.

Model	Features	Recommended Use Cases
Mate	Compact, standard model.	Keys, bags
Pro	Premium model with the series’ loudest volume and longest connection range. Includes 2022 and 2024 models. Pro (2024) has a replaceable battery.	Keys, backpacks, laptop cases
Slim	Card-sized and the thinnest model.	Wallets, card holders
Sticker	Smallest model with an adhesive backing.	Remotes, bicycles

Choose the best Tile to suit your lifestyle and specific needs.

Model-by-model reviews of Tile

Tile Mate Review | Perfect for keys and bags

Tile Mate is a compact, standard model, making it a perfect smart tracker to attach to items you use frequently, such as keys and bags, to ensure you don’t lose them.

Item	Details
Primary use	Keys, bags, pouches, etc.
Bluetooth range	Approx. 105m
Water resistance	IP68
Dimensions	37.6 (H) x 37.6 (W) x 7.2 (D) mm
Battery life	Approx. 3 years
Battery replaceable	No

With Tile Mate, you can use the dedicated app to ring the device and pinpoint the location of your keys or bag.
As long as you are within Bluetooth range, you can search up to approximately 105m.
Additionally, it has a feature that displays the last location where Bluetooth was connected on the app’s map, allowing you to estimate where you may have lost it.
It also features IP68 water resistance, so you can use it with peace of mind even if it gets wet.
Tile Mate is recommended for those who want to start lost-item prevention easily.

Tile Slim Review | For wallets and card cases

Tile Slim is a card-sized, thin model, making it the ideal smart tracker for places where you want to minimize bulk, such as wallets and card holders.

Item	Details
Primary use	Wallets, passports, ID cards, etc.
Bluetooth range	Approx. 105m
Water resistance	IP68
Dimensions	54 (H) x 85.5 (W) x 2.5 (D) mm
Battery life	Approx. 3 years
Battery replaceable	No

If you keep a Tile Slim in your wallet, you can ring it from the app to pinpoint its location if you ever drop it.
Also, by utilizing the Tile Network, if another Tile user detects your Tile Slim, there is a chance that you will be notified of its location.
Tile Slim is useful for preventing the loss of items where thinness is prioritized, such as wallets and card cases.

Tile Sticker | For remotes and small items

Tile Sticker is a small model with an adhesive backing, a smart tracker that can be attached to various small items like remotes and bicycles.

Item	Details
Primary use	Remotes, bicycles, tools, etc.
Bluetooth range	Approx. 75m
Water resistance	IP68
Dimensions	28 (H) x 28 (W) x 7.8 (D) mm
Battery life	Approx. 3 years
Battery replaceable	No

If you stick a Tile Sticker on your remote, you can ring it from the app to find it easily if you forget where you put it.
Additionally, by using the Tile Network, if other Tile users detect your Tile Sticker, you may be notified of its location.
Tile Sticker is recommended for those who want to prevent losing various small items.

Tile Pro | Covers a wider range

Tile Pro is a premium smart tracker that boasts the loudest volume and longest connection range in the series.
It is suitable for relatively large items like keys, backpacks, and laptop cases, or for use in large spaces.
There are 2022 (battery replaceable) and 2024 models, each with different features.

Item	Details
Primary use	Keys, suitcases, backpacks, etc.
Bluetooth range	Approx. 150m
Water resistance	IP68
Dimensions	54 (H) x 34 (W) x 7.5 (D) mm
Battery life	Approx. 1 year
Battery replaceable	Yes

Tile Pro features a long Bluetooth connection range of approximately 150m, making it easier to find lost items even in large areas.
Also, because the volume is loud, it is easier to pinpoint the location even in places where sound is hard to hear.
Furthermore, the 2022 model has a replaceable battery, allowing you to use it for a long time.
Tile Pro is recommended for those who want to take anti-loss measures over a wide area or use it in environments where high volume is needed.

The app is simple and easy to use

The dedicated Tile app is a free smartphone app essential for using Tile products.

It is used by over 20 million global users and is compatible with both iOS and Android platforms.

In the app, you can ring your Tile to find lost items or check the map to see where your Tile was last detected.

The main functions of the Tile app are as follows:

Function	Details
Ring Tile	Ring Tile from the app to find lost items by sound
Ring smartphone from Tile	Double-click the Tile button to ring your smartphone (works even in silent mode)
Check on map	Displays the last detected location of the Tile on a map
Tile Network	Updates location information when other Tile users detect your lost Tile
Life360 Integration	Display Tile location on the Life360 app and send SOS alerts in emergencies

Points to note when using Tile

Tile is a convenient lost-item prevention tag, but did you know there are some points to note regarding its use? Make sure you fully understand the costs, battery replacement, and what to do if you lose it.

Tile price and running costs

The price of the Tile device itself varies depending on the model.

Cost Item	Details	Notes
Device price	Varies by model	Initial purchase only
Premium plan	380 yen/month or 3,800 yen/year	Includes benefits like Smart Alerts (leave-behind notifications) and 30-day location history
Battery replacement	Only for Tile Pro (2024)	Replacement batteries must be purchased separately

Regarding Tile battery replacement

While the Tile Pro (2024) allows for battery replacement, batteries in the Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker cannot be replaced.
Battery life is estimated at approximately 3 years.
Once the battery dies, you will need to purchase a new Tile.

Response when a Tile is lost

Even if you lose your Tile, you may be able to find it by utilizing the Tile Network.
If you tap “Notify when found” in the Tile app, you will be notified of the location when other Tile users detect your Tile.

Tile Access Points

Tile Access Points are installed at Tokyu Line and Tokyo Metro stations.
Tile Access Points automatically connect to Tile via Bluetooth, and if a lost item is delivered near an access point, the system notifies the owner’s app of the location.
On the Tokyo Metro, lost items are delivered to the Lost and Found Center at Iidabashi Station.

Pros and cons of Tile

While Tile has the significant benefit of helping to prevent loss, it also has drawbacks, such as limits on Bluetooth connection range.

Item	Pros	Cons
Price	Available at an affordable price	Models without replaceable batteries require replacement every time the battery dies
Performance	Locate by sound, record last known location, improved chance of recovery via Tile Network	Limits on Bluetooth connection range, effectiveness is limited in areas with few Tile users
Integration	Can be used to watch over family members via Life360 integration	May not work properly depending on the smartphone OS or model
Other	Equipped with water/dust resistance, wide variety of designs

By understanding these points and using Tile appropriately, you can reduce daily “oops” moments and lead a more comfortable life.

A more comfortable daily life with the “Tile” lost-item prevention tag

Tile is a smart tracker that frees you from daily annoyances.
By attaching it to keys, wallets, remotes, and other important items, you can significantly reduce the time spent searching for things.

Thank you for reading to the end!

• Product prices and information are accurate as of the time of writing.
• Please note that this site assumes no responsibility for any errors in this information.
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This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.