SmartTag2 - expensive key fobs? UPDATE - YES

[SmartTag2 Noob]

Hello,

Bought a pack of 4x SmartTag2s, expecting them to work in a similar way to Apple Airtags. They all installed ok but, no matter where they go, the ONLY device that ever registers with them is my own.

I would at least expect the tag, when with my wife or son, who also have Galaxy devices, to report back its location based on their device being with them.

Have I wasted money on overpriced key fobs? Why are the SmartTags never picked up by a single other Galaxy device?

Thanks in advance for help.

[GoanGeek]

Hi.

I have the older Samsung tags and they work just fine.

Have you got Samsung find installed as well?

It is part of smartthings now.

[-Robot-]

Smart tags 2 work fine for me, I was able to track my luggage whilst I NY, from Heathrow to the plane to my pick up at the carousel JFK

[Glenntech]

Like the others
I have 6 smart tags and I can see them all, along with my phones and watch.
I'd suggest there's a setting on the phones
All 3 of my Samsung phones pickup the Smart Tags.
So not sure what's turned off for your usage

[Beta22]

Have you enabled the "Allow use of location information" setting in SmartThings Find? This is usually required to allow the various Find functions to work well across your devices.

[SmartTag2 Noob]

Guys, thanks for the tips and advice. I'm sure all the settings are ok (I eventually found the "Allow use of location information" setting, and it was checked).

I'm still no further along though - only my phone is picking up the tags. I'm in Italy by the way - could that make a difference? Are there regional restrictions on tags?

[SmartTag2 Noob · Accepted solution]

Hello Guys,

Finally, I am able to answer my own question.....

YES. These are just expensive key fobs, of little to no use as tracking devices.

After three attempts at explaining to a Samsung expert what you all understood the first time I posted it, I got the following response:

"To help other SmartThings users by using your device as a Find Node, you will need to agree to offline finding in the SmartThings app. This is an option you can select when adding SmartThings Find.

1. Open the SmartThings app on your device
2. Tap the Life tab 
3. Tap SmartThings Find
4. Open the Settings with the three dots at the top right
5. Tap 'Allow devices to be found offline' 
6. Enable offline finding for your Tags "

As this is an opt-in service, it is effectively rendered, in my opinion, an absolute waste of time and money. At least I know now why no other phones are picking up my SmartTags - NOBODY has downloaded and opted in to an app that they have little to no use for.

It pains me, but it's back to Apple tags for me.