Smarttag 2 query

[GerryF]

Hi, Can anyone help me with a problem please? I am new to using Smarttag 2 devices and have purchased five. I have linked a Smarttag on my phone (S23 Ultra) and on my partners phone (S25 Ultra). On testing each device using the respective phone they appear to work okay when in close proximity.

However, I wanted to check how well the Smarttags work remotely so I added a second Smarttag to my phone and gave it to my partner to keep in her car when she travelled to see a relative.

On checking on the SmartThings app – View map, the location only updated a couple of times during a 6 hour drive even though the Smarttag was within about 20cm of her phone.

Both phones have the SmartThings app installed and the UWB switched on.

I believe the tag only sent location data when it connected to another phone and was not connecting to my partners phone – hence only a few location updates.

I have looked on the web to find a solution and not found anything to help. Is there another setting on my partners phone (and possible on mine) to get the tags to connect?

Any help much appreciated.

[arianwen27]

So. When connected to the owner's phone, smart tags won't reach out to other devices. They are in a sorta found state. The owner device will usually update the map for location tracking every now and again.

When not near the owner device, they will be in a sorta lost mode. They will send signals to other devices to try and get a location. This mode uses more power.

When near the owner phone, stalking alerts don't trigger since the tag is with the owner if you were curious. If you didn't know, if a phone detects an unknown tracker is near it for a long time, the phone gets a ping saying someone is tracking you. Thats the anti stalker thing

How well they work remotely depends on how many samsung users with offline finding enabled are in range. Since these are Bluetooth trackers only, their location only updates when a samsung phone detects the signal and tells samsung they saw your tag. If with the owner, how fast it updates is only how fast the owner phone decides to update it. Since the tag is with the owner, there's not a huge point in loads of updates, since the tracker is with the owner device. When it gets "lost", then faster updates matter

UWB is only used for "search nearby" and not normal use.


I can answer other questions if there's anything else or something I missed too

[GoanGeek]

Hi

Just to add.

Smart tags won't give real time location when used remotely

( something to do with protection laws)

Also they will give you an approximate location ( providing there is a Samsung phone nearby).

[GerryF]

Hi, thanks for the prompt responses, much appreciated.
Just to clarify. The "test" tag was "owned" by me and not my partner
She did not get any ping on her phone indicating she was being tracked during the 6 hour drives (each way) so something is not right.
You mention about offline finding, both phones have Allow this phone to be found and Offline finding enabled.

I do understand the tags are not for real time tracking and they are low accuracy but I expected more than 3-4 updates during the 6 hours with a constantly next to the tag.

Perhaps my expectations were too high.

Again, thanks for the comments