I bought my first four-pack of Apple AirTags after my luggage — and my kiddo’s car seat — went on a vacation to Florida … just without me. Since then, I’ve tracked every single bag I’ve checked at the airport, plus my keys. Those are obvious go-tos when people think of AirTags, but with a little creativity (and a few accessories), the little trackers can do so much more.
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In your wallet
If you carry a traditional wallet and tend to misplace it (I have more than a few friends in mind here), adding a tracker is a no-brainer — after all, canceling all your credit cards is a massive pain. You have a couple options here: Some wallets have built-in AirTag holders, or you can snag a card-shaped carrier that fits in your current wallet nicely.
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Need a new wallet? This minimalist option not only has a spot for your AirTag, but prevents thieves from stealing your information via data skimming.
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If you already have a wallet you like, this clever little card-shaped holder is for you. It’s smaller than a credit card and nearly as thin.
$10 at AmazonIn a dog collar
My friend Dave is an ultramarathoner and his regular running partner is his dog, Melvin. One day, while trail running in the mountains, Melvin got spooked by other dogs and bolted. Every time Dave got close, Melvin would dart off again. Dave ended up chasing him for over 16 miles before reluctantly heading back to the car.
Melvin eventually made it home — over creeks, through forests and across two highways — nearly 30 miles from where they started. You might not be so lucky. While an AirTag won’t stop your dog from running off, it’ll sure make finding them a lot easier.
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This waterproof holder slides easily onto your dog’s collar, and for just $6, it’s an inexpensive no-brainer for peace of mind.
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This clever collar is just as affordable as most traditional collars out there, and it comes with the AirTag holder built right in.
$13 at AmazonOn your bike
Since moving to Colorado almost a decade ago, I’ve had three bikes stolen. Yes, they were all locked. Yes, I should’ve used better locks. And no, I didn’t expect a thief to scale my balcony, cut the locks and get away without waking my dog.
You can hide an AirTag in a water bottle cage, under your bike seat or even inside the frame (if your bike allows). I still recommend a solid lock, but a tracker gives you at least a chance to find it again.
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This add-on is simple, clean and effective. Most bikes have water bottle holders, and this unassuming AirTag mount will hide your tracker right underneath. Those thieves won’t know what hit ’em.
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Hiding an AirTag on a bike can be a bit tricky, and this option is one of the best we’ve seen. Just be sure to check that it’ll fit on your bike — it’s for mountain bikes with tapered head tubes — before you buy.
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If you don’t have a mountain bike, this reflector mount is the best option for hiding your AirTag. It looks just like a normal reflector, so would-be thieves will have no idea.
$18 at AmazonIn your car or camper
Your car has a ton of hiding spots for a tracker — under the seat, in the spare tire well or inside the lid of the center console (my current setup) are just some possibilities. Another clever spot? Under the carpet in the trunk. It’s cheap insurance if your car ever gets stolen or towed.
I also have an AirTag in my home on wheels: a 13-foot fiberglass Scamp camper that my wife and I remodeled last year. It’s not much bigger than the tents we used pre-parenthood, but it’s got some real upgrades, including three beds and a kitchen. It’s light enough to leave at a campsite while we drive into town or hit a trail. I’ve got locks, of course, but let’s be honest — they’re not foolproof. That’s why I’ve hidden an AirTag inside, wired to a battery extender. I won’t need to swap out the AA batteries for nearly a decade.
Elevation Lab
When I throw my AirTag in my camper or car, I expect to leave it there for a while. This case takes two lithium AA batteries (not included) and extends the life of your AirTag many times over, so you won’t have to worry about replacing the batteries. It also looks like a random piece of a car, so it can hide in plain sight or under the seat with ease.
$20 at AmazonOn your outdoor gear
When I go tent camping and leave my setup behind while I hike, I like to stash an AirTag inside the tent and on my cooler. Yeti coolers, in particular, are high on the list of stolen outdoor gear. I use an Elevation Lab adhesive mount that mimics a drain plug — I stick it on the opposite side and hope it buys me enough time to track it before someone notices.
Another good use: Put a tracker on your skis or snowboard. When you head inside at a resort, your gear stays outside on a communal rack. I’d be surprised if someone swapped their old rentals for my setup, but better safe than sorry. You don’t have to leave the AirTag on all season — just clip it on when you hit the slopes.
Elevation Lab
If you’ve purchased a four-pack of AirTags, this is the perfect four-pack to go with it. These adhesive cases are waterproof and adhere to almost any surface. I use them on my Yeti cooler and skis, but the options are almost endless.
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My camera is with me pretty much any time I’m outdoors, but it isn’t always in my hands. Stolen camera gear is a huge worry; it happens fairly often, and while the gear itself is expensive to replace, the photos on that memory card are priceless. I’ll throw one of these on my camera backpack strap or, better yet, the camera strap itself, and hopefully I can deter a camera thief.
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If I had a quarter for every time I’ve lost an expensive jacket from The North Face, I’d have exactly one quarter. (Hey, it only takes once to learn the hard way. Have you seen the price of a Gore-Tex jacket lately?) Don’t be like me and instead put a tracker on your jacket (or umbrella, purse, helmet, tent).
$20 at AmazonA few more ideas
I’ve used AirTags on my daughter’s favorite stuffed animal during a road trip, in her backpack while traveling, in my camera bag, even in my toolbox. The possibilities are endless. Just make sure your hiding spot is both secure and accessible — those batteries won’t last forever.
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Now that losing my keys isn’t the problem it was pre-AirTags, it’s time to tackle the thing I lose second-most: My TV remote. Buyers use these silicone mounts for everything from luggage to guitars as well.
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These pouches remind me of those silica gel packs that come in every pair of shoes, backpack and duffel bag I’ve ever ordered (and hopefully, that’s what thieves will think too).
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If the Yeti Rambler is your go-to water bottle, listen up. We know those things cost a pretty penny, even if they do last forever (assuming you never lose them). This cap makes sure you can keep track of your bottle with its built-in AirTag holder — it even has a phone holder and magnetic lid.
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Not quite ready to go all-in with AirTags but want to dip your toe in the water (er, Apple juice)? A single tracker is just $24. That’s almost the cheapest Apple product out there.
Related: The best Apple deals this week
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