Tile pioneered the consumer Bluetooth tracker market by introducing a simple way for users to find misplaced items. Each Tile device communicates with a smartphone over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). When an item is nearby, users can make the tracker ring. If it is farther away, the app displays the last known location where the Tile was connected to the phone.

Unlike GPS trackers, standard Tile devices do not contain built-in GPS hardware. Instead, they rely on Bluetooth connectivity and a crowdsourced finding network known as the Tile Network. When another user’s phone detects a lost Tile, its location is anonymously updated for the owner.

Founding (2012)

Tile was founded in 2012 in San Mateo, California by Mike Farley and Nick Evans. The founders wanted to solve the common problem of losing everyday items by combining Bluetooth technology with smartphones.

First Product (2013)

The company’s first Bluetooth tracker shipped in 2013 after raising significant crowdfunding support. It became one of the earliest mainstream Bluetooth tracking devices available to consumers.

Product Expansion

Over the following years, Tile introduced several new tracker designs:

• Tile Mate – General-purpose key finder

• Tile Pro – Longest Bluetooth range and loudest speaker

• Tile Slim – Wallet-sized tracker

• Tile Sticker – Adhesive tracker for remotes, cameras, and other objects

The company also added features such as:

• Find My Phone

• Replaceable batteries (selected models)

• Waterproof designs

• Shared access with family members

• Premium subscription services

In November 2021, family safety company Life360 announced it would acquire Tile for approximately US$205 million. The acquisition allowed Life360 to combine family location sharing with item tracking.

Following the acquisition:

• Tile products became integrated into the Life360 app.

• Users can continue using the Tile app, though many new features are introduced first in Life360.

• Life360 expanded Tile with family-oriented safety features, including SOS functionality on newer hardware.

Tile trackers use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate with smartphones.

Core functions include:

• Ring a nearby Tile.

• See its last known location.

• Ring a misplaced phone from the Tile.

• Share Tiles with trusted users.

• Receive notifications when a lost Tile is found by the Tile Network.

• Scan nearby unknown Tile devices for safety.

The Tile Network is Tile’s crowdsourced finding system.

When a Tile is marked as lost:

1. The owner reports it as missing.

2. Other phones running Tile or Life360 that pass within Bluetooth range detect the Tile.

3. The location is securely sent to the owner.

This allows items to be located even when they are far beyond the owner’s Bluetooth range. The effectiveness of the network depends on the number of nearby users running compatible apps.

Tile Mate

• Everyday tracker

• Built-in keyring hole

• Designed for keys, backpacks, and bags

Tile Pro

• Longest Bluetooth range

• Loudest speaker

• Replaceable battery (on some generations)

Tile Slim

• Credit card-sized

• Designed for wallets, passports, and luggage

Tile Sticker

• Adhesive backing

• Ideal for remotes, cameras, bicycles, and electronics

Newer Life360-branded Tile models also add integrated SOS functionality.

Tile supports:

• Android

• iPhone (iOS)

Today, trackers can be managed through:

• Tile app

• Life360 app (recommended for newer features)

Tile offers subscription plans that may include:

• Smart alerts when leaving items behind

• Extended location history

• Free battery replacement (eligible models)

• Device replacement coverage

• Enhanced customer support

Features vary by region and subscription tier.

Tile has introduced several privacy and anti-misuse features, including:

• Detection of unknown nearby Tile devices.

• QR codes on newer trackers to help return lost items.

• Options to share trackers only with trusted users.

As with other Bluetooth tracking ecosystems, privacy and anti-stalking practices have been the subject of public discussion and ongoing improvements.

Tile competes with other Bluetooth tracking ecosystems, including:

• Apple AirTag

• Samsung SmartTag

• Chipolo

• Pebblebee

Competition focuses on ecosystem compatibility, Bluetooth range, battery life, crowdsourced network size, and additional features.

Tile’s goal is to make it easier for people to keep track of their everyday belongings through simple, affordable Bluetooth tracking technology integrated with smartphones and a community-powered finding network. Following its integration into Life360, the brand has expanded its focus from item finding to broader family safety and connected-device services.