Why SmartThings Find is Better Than Other Device Trackers in 2025

Here's the reality: losing your phone doesn't just mean losing a device—it means losing your connection to everything that matters. Samsung's SmartThings Find has emerged as the standout solution for device tracking in 2025, outpacing competitors through its massive network and sophisticated technology.

The service is free and activates automatically when you sign into your Samsung account. You can locate any Galaxy device running Android 8 or later. Even when your device goes offline or someone removes the SIM card, SmartThings Find still tracks it down.

What makes SmartThings Find different comes down to precision and reach. The service combines Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, and location data from Google and wireless networks to pinpoint exactly where your device is. The network itself has expanded to over 300 million nodes—all working together to help locate lost devices.

When you enable the 'Send last location' feature, your device automatically transmits its position to SmartThings Find servers once battery life hits around 20%, so you can find it even after it powers down.

That's why we're breaking down exactly what sets SmartThings Find apart from other device trackers this year, how to use it effectively, and why it's become the go-to choice for protecting valuable Galaxy devices against loss and theft.

What Sets SmartThings Find Apart in 2025

SmartThings Find has carved out a clear competitive advantage through deep Samsung ecosystem integration. The service delivers unique benefits that make it the standout choice for device tracking.

Native support across your entire Galaxy setup

SmartThings Find ships pre-installed on most Galaxy devices, eliminating the friction of downloading separate apps or managing multiple tracking services. The service supports phones, tablets, watches, earbuds, and SmartTags—all through a single interface.

Compatibility spans Galaxy smartphones and tablets running Android 8 or newer, plus Galaxy Watch3, Watch4, Watch5, Galaxy Buds Live, Buds Pro, Buds2, Buds2 Pro, and the complete Galaxy SmartTag series. This means you can track virtually every Samsung device you own from one place.

The network itself has grown to over 300 million registered and opted-in devices. That scale significantly improves your odds of recovering lost items.

Zero cost, zero friction setup

SmartThings Find costs nothing beyond your Samsung account. Setup takes under two minutes:

1. Open Settings on your Galaxy device
2. Tap into the 'Biometrics and security' menu
3. Select 'SmartThings Find' and toggle it on
4. Sign in with your Samsung account (or create one if needed)

Remote control features activate immediately, giving you full tracking capabilities without additional configuration.

Offline tracking that actually works

The most impressive capability? SmartThings Find locates devices that aren't connected to any network. The Offline Finding function keeps your Galaxy device detectable as long as it's powered on—no mobile data required.

Here's how it works: Other Galaxy devices act as "Find Nodes," picking up Bluetooth signals from your lost device and anonymously reporting the location to Samsung's servers. Once a device has been offline for 30 minutes, it starts producing signals that nearby Galaxy devices can detect and relay.

This creates a crowdsourced tracking network that goes far beyond what traditional services offer. Most tracking solutions fail the moment your device loses internet connectivity. SmartThings Find keeps working.

Key Features That Make SmartThings Find Better

The technical capabilities behind SmartThings Find separate it from every other tracking solution available today. These aren't just incremental improvements—they're fundamental advances that change how device tracking actually works.

Bluetooth LE and UWB for precise tracking

Most tracking services rely on basic Bluetooth connectivity. SmartThings Find combines Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) with ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies to deliver unmatched location accuracy. UWB technology provides enhanced spatial awareness with an operating range of 15 meters (49 feet).

This dual-technology approach means you get both wide-area detection and pinpoint precision when you're close to your device. The difference becomes clear when you're actually searching for something. While other services give you a general area, SmartThings Find can guide you to the exact spot.

Offline finding with Galaxy crowd network

Most impressive is the offline finding capability. Your device doesn't need an internet connection to be found. After 30 minutes offline, it automatically produces a BLE signal that nearby Galaxy devices can detect. These devices anonymously report the location to Samsung's servers, which then notify you.

All data remains encrypted and securely protected, ensuring your device's location is revealed only to you. This crowdsourced approach extends far beyond traditional tracking limitations. Where other services fail the moment you lose connectivity, SmartThings Find keeps working.

Augmented Reality (AR) view for nearby search

Once you're close to your device, the AR-based Search Nearby function displays color graphics that intensify as you approach. This visual guidance, coupled with sound alerts, makes finding misplaced items remarkably intuitive. Point your camera, and the AR effect appears in the location of the item you're searching for.

No more guessing games or frustrating searches. The technology shows you exactly where to look.

SmartTag2 support for non-Galaxy items

You can attach SmartTags to virtually anything important—keys, wallets, bags, or other valuables. The SmartTag2 even supports UWB capabilities for precise tracking, extending SmartThings Find's powerful features beyond Samsung's electronic devices.

This means one tracking system covers everything you care about, not just your phone.

Remote lock, erase, and ring options

Beyond location, SmartThings Find offers complete device security. You can remotely lock your device, erase sensitive data, or make it ring—even when it's set to silent.

The Track location feature sends updates every 15 minutes with the latest position information, giving you total control over your missing device's security. When your device goes missing, you're not just finding it—you're protecting everything on it.

How to Use SmartThings Find Effectively

Getting SmartThings Find set up properly makes all the difference when you actually need to track down a lost device. The setup process is straightforward, but there are specific steps that ensure you get the most out of the service.

Step-by-step setup guide

Start by activating SmartThings Find on your device:

1. Open Settings on your Galaxy device
2. Tap your Samsung account at the top of the menu
3. Go to 'Find My Mobile'
4. Toggle on 'Allow this phone to be found'

Next, enable offline finding by tapping the switch and completing setup. This feature automatically activates when you sign into your Samsung account, giving you immediate access to tracking capabilities.

Using the SmartThings Find app on web and mobile

On mobile, open the SmartThings app, tap the Life tab, and select the Find card. If prompted, download necessary add-ons. The app displays your devices on a map with their locations and timestamps.

For web access, visit smartthingsfind.samsung.com and sign in with your Samsung credentials. From here, you can locate devices, make them ring, lock them remotely, or track their location every 15 minutes.

Activating 'Send last location' and 'Offline finding'

Two features are crucial for finding devices that lose connection:

• Send last location: Transmits your device's final position before battery reaches 5%
• Offline finding: Allows detection through other Galaxy devices even when offline

To enable both, open SmartThings app > Life tab > Find card > Settings > Allow devices to be found > toggle Offline finding.

Tracking a moving device in real-time

To monitor a moving device, select it on the map and tap "Track location". This sends location updates every 15 minutes for seven days. For nearby searches, use "Search nearby" to scan the immediate area and receive notifications when the device is detected.

Unlocking your phone remotely if locked out

Should you forget your PIN, you can remotely unlock your device:

1. Visit smartthingsfind.samsung.com
2. Select your device
3. Choose "Unlock" option
4. This removes PIN/password locks and fingerprints, regaining access without resetting

Remember to enable Remote Unlock in Settings > Samsung account > Find My Mobile beforehand.

How SmartThings Find Stacks Up Against the Competition

Device tracking isn't a one-size-fits-all market. Each service brings different strengths to the table, but SmartThings Find consistently outperforms alternatives where it matters most.

Google Find My Device: close, but not quite there

Google launched Find My Device network in April 2024 to mixed results. The rollout was slow, and early user feedback highlighted gaps in reliability. While Google has made improvements, SmartThings Find still outperforms in challenging scenarios—rural areas, tracking moving objects, and situations where precision matters most.

Both networks operate on similar principles, but Samsung's execution delivers better results when conditions aren't perfect.

Apple Find My: impressive scale, limited reach

Apple's billion-device Find My network sounds formidable on paper. But SmartThings Find's 300 million "find nodes" tell a different story—this represents 1.5 times growth in just 10 months, showing rapid adoption and engagement. More importantly, SmartThings Find offers stronger coverage in markets where Apple has limited presence: Latin America, Asia, and parts of Africa.

The Android advantage

Android users, particularly those with Samsung devices, get native integration that Apple simply can't match. SmartThings Find works seamlessly across your entire Galaxy ecosystem, while Apple's solution locks you into iOS-only tracking.

The remote unlock feature alone makes SmartThings Find valuable for Android users—no more getting locked out of your device when you forget your PIN.

Security that actually protects you

Security isn't just about encryption—it's about smart design. SmartThings Find encrypts all user data and builds protection through Samsung Knox. Your location data stays private unless you explicitly share it, and device IDs change every 15 minutes to maintain anonymity.

The "Unknown tag alerts" feature actively prevents stalking by notifying you if someone else's SmartTag is following you.

These aren't just features—they're safeguards that show Samsung understands the real-world risks of device tracking.

The bottom line

SmartThings Find has earned its place as the leading device tracking solution for 2025. The numbers speak for themselves: 300 million nodes, offline tracking capabilities, and seamless integration across the entire Galaxy ecosystem.

What sets SmartThings Find apart isn't just the technology—it's how that technology solves real problems. You get precise location tracking through Bluetooth LE and UWB, augmented reality search for nearby items, and most importantly, the ability to find your device even when it's completely offline.

That combination of features simply isn't available with other tracking services. The offline finding capability alone makes SmartThings Find worth considering. When your device loses connection, other Galaxy devices become your search network, anonymously reporting location data back to Samsung's servers.

It's a crowdsourced approach that works when traditional tracking methods fail. For Android users, especially those invested in the Samsung ecosystem, the choice is clear. SmartThings Find offers native integration, remote security controls, and support for everything from phones to SmartTags—all through a single interface you don't have to pay extra for.

The service proves that effective device tracking doesn't require complex setup or ongoing costs. You just need the right network, the right technology, and the right integration. SmartThings Find delivers all three, making it the smart choice for protecting your valuable Galaxy devices in 2025.

FAQs

Q1. How does SmartThings Find work when a device is offline?

SmartThings Find can locate devices even when they're offline. After 30 minutes without a network connection, the device emits a Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby Galaxy devices. These devices then anonymously report the location to Samsung's servers, allowing you to find your device without an active internet connection.

Q2. What makes SmartThings Find better than other tracking services?

SmartThings Find stands out due to its extensive integration with the Samsung ecosystem, precise tracking using Bluetooth LE and UWB technologies, offline finding capability, augmented reality view for nearby searches, and robust security features like remote lock and erase options. It also boasts a large network of over 300 million devices, improving the chances of locating lost items.

Q3. How do I set up SmartThings Find on my Galaxy device?

To set up SmartThings Find, open Settings on your Galaxy device, tap your Samsung account at the top, go to 'Find My Mobile', and toggle on 'Allow this phone to be found'. Then, enable offline finding by tapping the switch and completing the setup. The service is automatically activated when you sign into your Samsung account.

Q4. Can SmartThings Find track non-Samsung items?

Yes, SmartThings Find can track non-Samsung items using SmartTag2. These small devices can be attached to keys, wallets, bags, or other valuables, extending the tracking capabilities beyond Samsung's electronic devices. SmartTag2 even supports UWB technology for precise location tracking.

Q5. Is SmartThings secure and private?

SmartThings Find prioritizes security and privacy. All user data is encrypted, and device IDs change every 15 minutes for anonymity. The service implements protection through Samsung Knox, and location data is only shared with explicit permission. Additionally, the "Unknown tag alerts" feature notifies users if an unrecognized SmartTag is following them, helping prevent unauthorized tracking.