While I rely on an AirTag to keep my keys safe, it’s undeniably too large to fit into a wallet. That’s where the SwitchBot Wallet Finder comes into play.
Concealed in a sleek, credit card shape, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder syncs with the Find My app on your iPhone, allowing you to track its location. It also has a built-in speaker so you can make it emit a sound to locate your wallet when it gets misplaced in your home. Continue reading for my review…
Setup
Setting it up is incredibly straightforward. Although it has its own app and supports Android, I’ve only used it through the Apple Find My app on my phone. I didn’t even need to download the SwitchBot app. To get started, just open Find My, tap on Add Item, and press and hold the button on the Wallet Finder card for a couple of seconds.
Next, you’ll select a name and an emoji to identify it later. While it suggested ‘Benjamin’s Keys’ by default, I renamed it to ‘Benjamin’s Wallet’, picked a wallet-related emoji, and pressed Continue. After that, it easily slipped into one of the card slots in my wallet.
How it tracks location
It’s important to note that Find My accessories lack GPS capabilities. Instead, they send out a low-energy Bluetooth signal which can be detected by nearby Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The location is then securely relayed to the Find My network, helping you find your lost item.
Provided that another Apple device is nearby, you can locate your wallet on the map in the Find My app, even if you’re far away. Additionally, there are no recurring subscription fees or hidden costs (unlike some rival products).
The success of AirTags demonstrates that the Find My network is highly effective, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder performs equally well. When stationary and close to one of the billion iOS devices globally, its location appears quickly in Find My. Updating the location for moving items, however, is slightly delayed compared to real-time tracking.
You also have the option to mark your item as lost in the Find My app. If someone finds your wallet and wants to help you return it, they can use the Identify Found Item feature in Find My, which will show your contact details to facilitate the return. The upcoming iOS 18.2 update will even introduce a shareable link feature to assist in locating lost items.
Finding nearby using the speaker
Unlike an AirTag, the Wallet Finder does not feature ultra-wideband technology. This means it doesn’t provide the Precision Finding feature available with AirTags in close range.
Nevertheless, the built-in speaker in the Wallet Finder adequately assists in locating a misplaced wallet. Within Bluetooth range, it emits a sufficiently loud sound. While it is a bit quieter than an AirTag’s sound and can be slightly muffled when inside a closed wallet, it’s still loud enough to be heard from a distance.
In the many times I’ve lost my wallet inside the house, I can simply open the Find My app, press ‘Play Sound’, and quickly determine which room it’s in.
For added convenience, Find My is compatible with Siri. For instance, I can ask my HomePod, ‘where’s my wallet?’ and it will begin pinging it for me.
Safety and tracking
Similar to AirTags, the Wallet Finder is intended as a tool for recovering lost items. It is not designed for tracking individuals or addressing theft issues. If the card is away from its owner for a while, the speaker will emit a sound to alert nearby individuals. It will also trigger ‘Unknown Item Moving With You’ alerts on nearby iPhones.
It’s also important to note that anyone with the card can disable its Find My connection by following a specific shutdown button sequence.
Conclusion
When used as intended, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder proves to be an effective and cost-efficient solution. While it is designed to fit inside a wallet, there’s even a built-in cutout if you want to attach it to a lanyard or keychain. I highly recommend this product.
One possible drawback to consider is that the Wallet Finder does not allow for battery replacement. It is a single-use device with a lifespan of approximately 3 years. However, given the value of the contents in your wallet, it likely makes financial sense to simply purchase a new one when it stops functioning. Just be prepared for the associated environmental impact.
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