I'm a tech expert — here are the smartest ways I use Apple AirTags

I bought my first four-pack of Apple AirTags after my luggage — and my kiddo's car seat — went on an unexpected vacation to Florida without me. Since then, I've tracked every single bag I've checked at the airport. Luggage is the obvious one. My keys are another. These are the go-tos when people think of AirTags, and to be fair, they're great for those. But with a little creativity (and a few accessories), the little trackers can do so much more.

In your wallet

My wallet attaches to my phone, so I don't need an AirTag in it. But if you carry a traditional wallet and tend to misplace it (I have more than a few friends in mind here), adding a tracker is a no-brainer. Canceling all your credit cards is a pain — avoid it if you can. When it comes to wallets, you have a few options. Some wallets have built-in AirTag holders, as well as cards that fit in your current wallet nicely.

In a dog collar

My friend Dave is an ultramarathoner and his regular running partner is his dog Melvin. One day, while trail running in the mountains, Melvin got spooked by other dogs and bolted. Every time Dave got close, Melvin would dart off again. He ended up chasing him for over 16 miles before heading back to the car.

Melvin eventually made it home — over creeks, through forests and across two highways — nearly 30 miles from where they started. An AirTag won't stop your dog from running off, but it sure makes finding them a lot easier.

On your bike

Since moving to Colorado almost a decade ago, I've had three bikes stolen. Yes, they were all locked. Yes, I should've used better locks. And no, I didn't expect a thief to scale my balcony, cut the locks and get away without waking my dog.

You can hide an AirTag in a water bottle cage, under the seat or even inside the frame (if your bike allows). I still recommend a solid lock but a tracker gives you at least a chance to find it again.

In your camper

Our family's vacation home is a 13-foot fiberglass Scamp camper that my wife and I remodeled last year. It's not much bigger than the tents we used pre-parenthood but it's got some real upgrades, including three beds and a kitchen.

It's light enough to leave at a campsite while we drive into town or hit a trail. I've got locks but let's be honest — they're not foolproof. That's why I've hidden an AirTag inside, wired to a battery extender. I won't need to swap out the AA batteries for nearly a decade.

In your car or on your outdoor gear

Your car has a ton of hiding spots for a tracker — under the seat, in the spare tire well or inside the lid of the center console (my current setup). Another clever spot: under the carpet in the trunk. It's cheap insurance if your car ever gets stolen or towed.

When I go tent camping and leave my setup behind while I hike, I like to stash an AirTag inside the tent and on my cooler. Yeti coolers, in particular, are high on the list of stolen outdoor gear. I use an Elevation Lab adhesive mount that mimics a drain plug — I stick it on the opposite side and hope it buys me enough time to track it before someone notices.

Another good use: your skis or snowboard. When you head inside at a resort, your gear stays outside on a communal rack. I'd be surprised if someone swapped their old rentals for my setup, but better safe than sorry. You don't have to leave the AirTag on all season — just clip it on when you hit the slopes.

Speaking of skiing, not all my friends have iPhones, so when we're on the mountain, I sometimes toss an AirTag in their pack or jacket so I can track them if we get separated. With so many phones around, the trackers work great even without a direct line of sight.

A few more ideas

I've used AirTags on my daughter's favorite stuffed animal during a road trip, in her backpack while traveling, in my camera bag and even in my toolbox. The possibilities are nearly endless. Just make sure your hiding spot is both secure and accessible — those batteries won't last forever.

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