execs and cons
- Robust polycarbonate development constructed to final in a pockets or purse.
- 5-month battery life with wi-fi recharging.
- Easy to make use of, no third-party app wanted
- Excessive value (however on par with related tracker playing cards).
- I would not use this as a baggage tag.
extra shopping for decisions
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As soon as once more, I am waxing lyrical about Apple AirTags. I completely love them. They have been the one piece of tech that has really reworked my life.
However as a lot as I am keen on them, they are not excellent. One factor that hasn’t modified within the practically 5 years since their launch is their form. Irrespective of how huge of a fan I’m — and I take into account myself their No. 1 fan — even I’ve to confess that their little UFO-like design does not match effectively right into a pockets or purse.
Additionally: This AirTag alternative with a 130dB siren and strobe light has my name written all over it
I’ve tried all kinds of options to make AirTags work for wallets, even going as far as to take one aside and retrofit it right into a 3D-printed bank card shell. However, ultimately, the best choice I’ve discovered is the clip that Ridge uses on its wallets — and even that’s removed from splendid.
Fortunately, third-party tags have entered the market, and plenty of of them are excellent for slipping right into a pockets or purse. Even higher, some provide just a few enhancements over Apple’s AirTag.
One tag I have been testing not too long ago is the UAG Metropolis by Urban Armor Gear, an organization recognized for its robust smartphone instances. The Metropolis ticks all of the containers for me and is now my tag of selection for my pockets.
Why it really works for wallets
The Metropolis is designed to suit completely alongside your bank cards. It measures 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.1 inches (85.8 × 53.6 × 3.0 mm), making it in regards to the thickness of 4 bank cards.
Additionally: This Bluetooth tracker has effectively replaced my AirTag with its enhanced durability alone
The cardboard is fabricated from a tricky polycarbonate shell, ultrasonically welded alongside the perimeters. It is IPX4-rated, that means it isn’t dust-resistant and might deal with splashes. I even immersed the cardboard a number of instances, and it saved working flawlessly.
Water isn’t any downside for the Metropolis tracker card.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Sturdiness: Can it deal with on a regular basis use?
A standard concern with slim tracker playing cards is their sturdiness. Wallets and purses are likely to expertise lots of bending and flexing, which might doubtlessly harm one thing containing a chargeable battery.
Additionally: I took apart the new AirTag 2 and found a serious flaw in Apple’s popular tracker
To check this, I carried the Metropolis tag in my again pocket with no pockets for over per week. Regardless of all of the bending and flexing, the tag remained unaffected.
Battery life and charging
Contained in the Metropolis is a 110 mAh battery that lasts about 5 months below regular use. When it is time to recharge, you’ll be able to merely place it on a Qi or MagSafe wi-fi charger for a few hours.
Wi-fi charging is quick and handy, and it means no batteries to throw away and no USB ports to fill with pocket schmoo.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Based on UAG, the battery is designed to final by way of 300 recharge cycles. That equates to over 100 years of use based mostly on the battery’s lifespan, so it is secure to say the battery is constructed to final.
Compatibility: Apple Discover My and Google Discover Hub
The Metropolis works with each Apple’s Discover My and Google’s Discover Hub networks. Throughout setup, you select which community you need, and you’ll reset the cardboard later if wanted.
Additionally: I put away my AirTag just minutes after trying this Bluetooth tracker alternative – here’s why
The Bluetooth detection vary is about 200 toes (60 meters) in splendid situations, dropping to round 100 toes (30 meters) indoors. These ranges are typical for Bluetooth trackers.
Do RFID-blocking wallets have an effect on the sign?
A query I have been requested rather a lot is whether or not RFID-blocking wallets restrict the vary of tracker playing cards. After testing a number of playing cards and wallets, I can confidently say that they have no vital impact.
Additionally: This AirTag-like card tracker is my top choice for Android and iOS users – and it’s rechargeable
Nonetheless, steel wallets, like Ridge wallets, can block the sign. If this occurs, you’ll be able to slide the tracker behind the cash strap, which is Ridge’s advisable workaround.
The speaker: An enormous plus
One standout function of the UAG Metropolis is its 95 dB speaker. That is about as loud as an influence software and considerably louder than the first-generation AirTags. It is on par with the second-gen AirTags, making it excellent for locating a pockets misplaced in a pile of garments, deep in a settee, and even in a automobile.
Baggage use: Proceed with warning
The Metropolis has a slot reduce into it so it could actually double as a baggage tag. Nonetheless, I am not a fan of utilizing tracker tags for air journey as a result of I’ve seen many get bent or broken. As a substitute, I like to recommend putting the tag inside your baggage or utilizing a rugged tag holder for additional safety.
It bends, however will not break in regular use.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
I actually just like the UAG Metropolis card. It is useful, fashionable, and works seamlessly with each Apple and Google’s monitoring networks. Plus, it does not require a third-party app to function.
It’s also possible to relaxation assured that nobody will use it to trace you surreptitiously — it is going to set off an unknown tracker alert if that occurs.
The cardboard additionally pairs properly with UAG’s slim Kevlar magnetic wallet, which provides a contact of favor and practicality.
Additionally: The best Bluetooth trackers of 2026: Our top picks to keep tabs on your stuff
At $45, the Metropolis is competitively priced in comparison with different high-performing tracker playing cards, like these from Ridge, Rolling Square, or KeySmart (although offers could differ, so store round).
I significantly love the rounded corners and clean, premium really feel of this card. It is much less more likely to put on by way of the perimeters of a pockets or purse in comparison with another playing cards I’ve examined.
The UAG Metropolis is a superb different to Apple AirTags, particularly for those who’re on the lookout for a tracker that matches into your pockets or purse. Whereas it does not assist Apple’s Precision Discovering, its slim design, sturdiness, and compatibility with each Apple and Google networks make it a powerful contender within the tracker market.
