Find Your Lost Things (or People) with Tile!

This is possibly the most excited I have been about a review all year.  Every single day my husband and I ask each other, “Hey, where are the keys?” 

It seems like we are constantly running kids around and have a bad habit of just dropping the keys down where ever they land.  They could be on the desk, the ottoman, the counter, upstairs, or in my purse.  There’s got to be a better way to find your lost things!

There finally is!!! With Tile attached to my keys, I don’t have to spend 10 minutes looking around.  All I have to do is ring my keys!  Yes, you heard me, I can make my keys ring so that I can locate them!  That is the BEST thing EVER!

Tile is so cool!  For only $25, you can buy a Tile to attach to your keys, briefcase…or even put in the pocket of your kid!  Tiles are attached to your phone via Bluetooth (with up to a 100 ft. unobstructed range), and help you find your lost things, using your phone.  

Tiles use GPS to tell you where the item was the last time it synced with your phone.  And if you are within range, you can have the Tile on your item ring so you can hear it.  It’s fantastic!

Setting up Your Tiles

The Tiles are about a 1 inch by 1 inch square that can attach to your car keys or you can slip them inside your wallet or purse.  I put mine on each of our car keys and one inside my husband’s wallet.  Those are the things that seem to go missing the most often! 

Setting up the Tiles was simple.  After downloading the Tile app, all I had to do was press the “e” on the actual tile and then put the tile next to my phone.  It connected itself.  So simple! 

All you have to do is name your Tile to what you are connecting it to.  I used “Honda Keys”, “Armada Keys”, and “Nick’s Wallet”.  I used a very technical naming convention!                                                                   

How it Works

If you put a Tile on your things, it’s easier to find your lost things!  Once you have each of your Tiles connected to the app, finding your lost items is simple.  You open the app, click on the lost  item and the Tile you clicked on will start ringing!  It even has a reverse ring feature in case you can’t find your phone. 

WHAT????  Yes, if you lose your phone, you can double press the “e” on any of your connected tiles and it will ring your phone.    My kids love messing with me by making my phone ring while I am holding it. The app also includes a map of where your item was last located. 

The Tiles feature a loud ring, water-resistant, and “zero upkeep”, meaning that the battery is long-lasting, but you are not able to change it out.  When the Tile dies (it has a 1 year warranty) you are able to purchase a replacement at a lower cost.

Find Your Lost Things

What can you attach your Tiles to?  The ideas for Tiles are limitless!  Keys are the most popular item to track, but here are some more clever ideas…

1. purse
2. wallet
3. your child’s favorite stuffed animal
4. child’s backpack or purse
5. toys/electronics you to take to the beach or the park
6. your child’s tablet or 3DS
7. your child – put it in your child’s pocket when traveling, at the shopping at the mall, or when she’s on a field trip!
8. slippers (yes, I misplace them sometimes!)
9. stroller – when parking it at Disneyland/World
10. diaper bag
11. glasses case
12. suitcase – now you can find out exactly where it is when you traveling…or when the airlines loses it!
13. on your bike…or your child’s bike
14. in the car – great way to track where your teen…or hubby is!
15. camera bag
16. briefcase
17. on your tablet or laptop (attached to back or bottom)
18. to items you lend to people
19. cane – is your aging dad always forgetting his cane somewhere?
20. wheelchair – keep track on your aging parents from afar

See Tile’s website for some great stories from people who have found their belongings again, thanks to Tile!

Use the Global Tile Community to Help Find Stolen Items!

OK, I know I keep saying, “This is the coolest part” over and over again, but truly, THIS IS THE COOLEST FEATURE!  When you open the Tile app on your phone, it not only locates your items, but it also tracks other nearby Tiles.  The company website uses this example.

So if you have misplaced or had something stolen, it may not be lost for good!  You can help others locate their missing items, just by keeping the Tile App running in the background.  Please use safety, though!  If your item was stolen and you get a notification, contact the police and ask them to escort you to the location where the stolen item was located.

The Tiles can be purchased on Amazon; $25 for a single Tile or $70 for a pack of 4. 

A Mom’s Perspective

I can’t even write a Pro’s vs. Con’s list the Tile has so much going for it.  The only con I can think of would be that the Tile battery is not replaceable.  If only it could be charged, that would be great.  But then again, that would increase the cost of each Tile.  The fact that one Tile is only $25 makes it very reasonable.

If you tend to misplace things and need a better way to find your lost things, the Tile is lightweight, affordable, and a life saver!  As busy moms, we have so many things to juggle.  Being able to locate the keys, your kid’s backpack, or your phone at a click of a button is a huge help, especially if you are prone to forgetfulness!  

Tell us how you would use Tiles in your household, we want to know!

* I was given a Tile pack for my honest review of the product.  All opinions are my own.