I use an AirTag on my keychain to keep my keys safe, but it’s too bulky to fit inside a wallet. That’s where the SwitchBot Wallet Finder comes in. (Right now, the Wallet Finder is 30% off for Black Friday, making it an even better deal than usual!)
This handy device is cleverly disguised within a slim, credit-card shape that connects seamlessly to the Find My app on your iPhone. It allows you to track its location, and it even features a speaker to help emit a sound so you can locate your wallet when it gets misplaced in your home. Continue reading for my full review …
Setup
Setting it up is a breeze. While it offers its own app and is Android-compatible, I exclusively used the built-in Find My app on my iPhone. No need to download the SwitchBot app at all. To start, just open the Find My app, tap on Add Item, and hold down the button on the Wallet Finder card for a few seconds.
After that, you can choose a name and an emoji to help identify it. The default suggestion was ‘Benjamin’s Keys,’ but I renamed it to ‘Benjamin’s Wallet’, selected a relevant emoji, hit Continue, and just like that, it slipped into an empty card pocket in my wallet.
How it Tracks Location
It’s important to note that Find My accessories do not utilize GPS. They instead emit a low-energy Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This location information is then securely sent to the Find My network, allowing you to track and hopefully retrieve your lost items.
Even if you’re far away, as long as someone with an Apple device is close by, you can still see your wallet’s location on the map in the Find My app. Plus, there are no ongoing fees or subscriptions to worry about, unlike some other options out there.
The Find My network has proven effective, as shown by the success of AirTags, and the SwitchBot Wallet Finder performs equally well. If your item is stationary and near one of the countless iOS devices globally, its location should appear on the map in no time. For items that are moving, there may be a slight delay in receiving location updates.
You can also mark your item as lost in the Find My app. If it’s found by someone else, they can use the Identify Found Item feature in Find My to retrieve your contact information and help return it. The upcoming iOS 18.2 update will even allow you to create a shareable link for others to assist in tracking down your lost items.
Locating Nearby with the Speaker
Unlike an AirTag, the Wallet Finder does not incorporate ultra-wideband technology, meaning it lacks the Precision Finding feature offered by AirTags for close-range searches.
Nevertheless, the Wallet Finder’s built-in speaker is more than sufficient for locating your lost wallet. When within Bluetooth range, the card can emit a reasonably loud tone. While it’s slightly quieter than an AirTag, and may be muffled when placed inside a closed wallet, it’s still audible enough for you to hear from a fair distance.
For those (embarrassingly common) moments when I’ve misplaced my wallet at home, I now just need to open the Find My app and hit ‘Play Sound’ to quickly identify which room it’s in.
Additionally, Find My is compatible with Siri, adding even more convenience. For instance, I can simply ask my HomePod, ‘where’s my wallet?’ and it will start pinging it for me.
Safety and Tracking
Another point to note is that if someone gains possession of the card, they can deactivate the Find My connection by following a specific button-press sequence.
Conclusion
When used as intended, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder proves to be highly effective and offers good value for the price. Designed for wallet use, it even features a small cutout if you prefer attaching it to a lanyard or keychain. I highly recommend it.
The only potential downside to keep in mind is that the Wallet Finder lacks a battery replacement option; it is a single-use device rated for approximately three years of use. However, considering the value of the contents in your wallet, it likely makes sense financially to purchase a new one when the time comes. Just be mindful of the environmental impact.
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