topic Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet? in Accessories

Smarttags only usable with Internet?

xspark — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 15:59:06 GMT

Hello,

Can anyone confirm, the Galaxy Smarttags are only useable with smartphone connected to the internet? Otherwise they are shown as not connected in the SmartThings App on my phone. So they become useless as soon as you get into a dead zone.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

AndrewL — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 16:30:01 GMT

@xspark: SmartTags communicate with your Galaxy smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and have a maximum connection range of 120 metres. If your SmartTag is outside of this range, you can still locate it using offline finding in SmartThings Find. SmartThings Find uses other users Galaxy devices, in the Galaxy Find Network, to help you locate your SmartTag, making sure that your valuables can be found no matter where they are. To find out more, please check the link below.

How do I find my SmartTag? | Samsung UK

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

xspark — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 16:45:27 GMT

Yeah, I also read the description. It doesn't answer my question though.

Even if the tracker is inside the range, it still doesn't work, without internet connection. Just try it out. Put your tracker next to your smartphone and turn off WiFi and mobile data. Smarttags immediately shown as offline due to "No network connection"

So they become completely useless without internet, even it's unnecessary for the main function of ringing.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

VintageAAA — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 08:16:21 GMT

I can confirm that SmartThings Find does NOT work if your phone is not connected to the internet.

I put the tag on my cat's collar and went outside. It ran away and I tried to find it, but the SmartThings Find did not work, even though it only needs bluetooth.

This makes the Smarttag useless and even and even dangerous in some situations.

I'm so angry and disappointed, will probably switch to The Tile as it's confirmed to work with bluetooth only.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Beak — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:57:59 GMT

This is correct for the smarttag plus also. If the phone (or tablet) does not have network (with useable internet) of any sort then the tag is not useable on that device.

That is if you have a device not connected to the internet you can not use that device to find the tag.

Although if some one else's Samsung sees the device with network it still gets the location that you can see when you re-establish connection and look on the map.

This is in my opinion really dumb.
Yes I get the need for internet to locate and report on a map etc.
But in a no signal area, for example out back or in an underground building then without off line finding its less than helpful.

I mean less than helpful, as after I added smart tags to my smartthings and I loose network signal (I was in the hills in middle of nowhere) my phone started getting hot and had a massive battery drain started, perhaps Tring to get network or whatever. (The only change was adding tags)

Why we can't use without network and just enable Bluetooth (automatically) is beyond me. Airtags and tile both allow this.

Then if so that would be the best of all worlds.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Members_v1abm33 — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 07:46:34 GMT

Exactly my view!

This in my mind is a major issue. And had i known, I'd never have bought my smart tags.

Yet, i do believe this problem solvable via firmware update.... were enough people to highlight the problem.

I discovered this myself in such a situation. I was frankly incredulous that it wouldn't even try the local Bluetooth range when my mobile data was off (i was in a different country and not roaming).

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Afocan — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 14:57:38 GMT

It is very strange that the tag does not ring or does not ring my phone when the phone is not connected to the internet. Let's say I lost my phone in a place where the phone does not receive a GSM signal. What feature does smart tag have left? Or I lost the smart tag, same thing. it's also bad that the find feature doesn't work. The app doesn't even open. anyway, the phone passing by the smart tags should not need to be connected to the internet. For example, let's say smarttag is in an area where there is no cellular signal. if a person with a Samsung phone with no network signal passes by. If smarttag transfers the last location information to this Samsung phone, wouldn't it be fine if the Samsung phone sees the internet and notifies the owner of the smarttag the last location or communication?

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Afocan — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 15:01:16 GMT

I understand this invention called smarttag. It doesn't even get a GPS signal, it works directly from the phone's location. It's a really clumsy product and garbage!

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Petar m — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:11:11 GMT

I also can cofirm that the product is garbage. It should be abe to be found even though your phone is not connected to wifi. If I knew this before I would have never bought samsung smart tag

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Members_dULB2p3 — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:31:59 GMT

Still same 😪 even with the latest SmartTag2, not usable without internet connection on your Galaxy phone.

Very, very disappointed .

I bought package of 4 and now I am feeling stabbed 4 times 😪😪😪.

I am realy thinking switching from any Samsung products ...

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Members_6V6I94N — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:17:50 GMT

it's 2024 and I cannot even start the smartthings app without having an internet connection. this needs to be fixed, guys.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

TurkTY — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 07:11:59 GMT

Yes, the problem is with the app "Find" or lets say Samsung's Smart Connect. You can't start the app screen when there is no internet connection. I lost my car keys with a smart tag in the county no-reception-zone and couldn't even start the app. So I had to search my keys along my hiking path all the way back where I lost it. Totally useless APP if you don't have a mobile reception.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

IndianaHorrscht — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:27:22 GMT

This means that if I lose something in a place with bad reception (like a deep parking garage), there is no possibility of other people connecting to it and reporting the location? This is crazy.

Phones could easily connect via bluetooth, store the last known GPS coordinates and the time in a buffer, and report both to central services after the phone gets internet back.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Seragon — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:35:06 GMT

If it is detected by someone else's phone that location is uploaded to the Internet. You then need to connect to the Internet to see that information.

You can only see it when you are offline if you are within it's bluetooth range.

It's exactly the same as Apple's AirTag system. But as there are more Android phones in the world than iPhones you are more likely to get a ping with SmartTags

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Seragon — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 23:37:53 GMT

If you are within Bluetooth range of the tag then your phone will still find it without an Internet connection. You only need the Internet to find tags that are outside Bluetooth detection range

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

VintageAAA — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:08:05 GMT

No it will not. It literally forces you to use internet connection even to initiate nearby search via bluetooth.

Re: Smarttags only usable with Internet?

Members_0ZPW3Mg — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:31:49 GMT

@Seragon That is not true. If my phone doesn't have internet the app does literally nothing. It not even stores any seen connection for a later upload. So if you lose your tag in a place without internet (e.g. parking garage) it's of no use at all. But this would be possible easily.