Обзор This app lets you use Samsung’s tracker tags with any Android phone

[Обзор]

• A new app called uTag lets you use Samsung SmartTags with any Android device.
• The app is free to download but requires also installing a patched version of Samsung’s SmartThings app in order to function.
• Most functionality has been replicated, including precision finding, while new features have been added like widget support.

When Google finally launched its Find My Device network last year, we were really excited. Users were hoping that it would be the Android equivalent to Apple’s Find My network, and on paper, that’s what it should be. However, Google configured the network such that its performance is neutered outside of highly dense urban areas. One developer got so fed up with the unreliability of Google’s AirTag competitors that he decided to ditch them entirely and use Samsung’s tracker tags. The only problem is that Samsung’s tags work exclusively with Galaxy devices, at least until now. Meet uTag, an app that lets you use Samsung SmartTags with any Android phone.

uTag is an Android app that essentially replicates SmartThings Find, the Samsung-made app that lets you visually track your Samsung devices. With uTag, you can set up a brand new Galaxy SmartTag2, view its location, ring it, change its ringtone, customize its button behavior, and so much more. The app also alerts you about unknown SmartTags traveling with you, notifies you when a tag has been found or left behind, and lets you share tags with family members. It even supports precision finding on devices that are equipped with ultra wideband (UWB) radios, which is amusing because Google’s network still doesn’t support this feature.