Tech 6 June 2025

GPS Tracker vs Samsung SmartTag For Pets: What’s Best For Dogs And Cats?

Can you track your dog or cat with a SmartTag? Find out what this Bluetooth item finder can and cannot do, plus learn how a dedicated pet tracker keeps your furry friend(s) safe.

Written by:

Chelsea Workman

You want to keep your furry friend safe – so you’re thinking about tracking your dog or cat with a Samsung Smarttag. All trackers are built the same, right? Wrong. When it comes to finding a misplaced set of keys, Bluetooth item finders like Samsung Galaxy SmartTag are the way to go. But can you use SmartTag for pets? Better not. Learn more about how using SmartTag for dogs or cats would work – and why a dedicated pet tracker is the much better choice for keeping your furry friends safe.

Key Takeaways

Samsung SmartTags aren’t designed for pets: They’re made to locate objects like keys or wallets — not track an adventurous dog or cat.
Limited range and no live tracking: SmartTags rely on Bluetooth and nearby devices, meaning you can easily lose connection if your furry friend wanders out of range.
No real-time safety alerts: Unlike a dedicated GPS tracker for pets, SmartTags can’t notify you if your pet escapes or leaves a safe zone.
A pet-specific GPS tracker is the safer choice: Devices like the Tractive GPS & Health Tracker for dogs and cats offer unlimited range, live tracking, and health monitoring — giving you peace of mind wherever your pet roams.

Find out where your cat spends their time.

What is the Samsung SmartTag?
How does SmartTag work?
Does SmartTag have GPS?
What’s the range of the Samsung SmartTag?
SmartTag for pets: Can you put a Samsung SmartTag on a dog or cat?
What’s the difference between SmartTag, SmartTag+ and SmartTag2?
Samsung SmartTag vs Apple AirTag
7 Limitations of using Samsung SmartTag for pets
So what are GPS pet trackers and how do they compare?
Tractive GPS features
Tractive GPS vs Samsung SmartTag for pets comparison
Conclusion: Samsung SmartTags aren’t built for pets

What is the Samsung SmartTag?

Similar to Tile or Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag is a small Bluetooth tracker and item finder. Simply attach it to your keys, bag, or wallet – and you’ll be able to find your personal items in case you misplace them with the help of SmartTag and the SmartThings app.

How does SmartTag work?

The Samsung SmartTag helps you locate lost items using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. Within range, you can use the SmartThings app on your Samsung Galaxy device to locate your tagged item. If the item is nearby but not immediately visible, you can turn on a sound on the SmartTag to help you find it.

When SmartTag is out of Bluetooth range, it uses Samsung’s SmartThings Find network, where nearby Samsung Galaxy devices that have opted into the service can detect the BLE signal from your SmartTag and anonymously relay its location back to your SmartThings app.

For more precise locating, the SmartTag+ and SmartTag2 also have Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. This feature provides directional and distance information, so you can use augmented reality to pinpoint your item’s location.

Learn more about how the Galaxy SmartTag2 works in the video below.

Does SmartTag have GPS?

Samsung SmartTag should not be mistaken for a GPS tracker – it contains no GPS technology. Its location can only be found using a network of other Samsung devices. On the other hand, a Tractive Smart Tracker for Dogs and Cats includes both GPS and cell technology, which allows you to track your pet in real-time worldwide and over any range.

What’s the range of the Samsung SmartTag?

As a Bluetooth tracker, the Samsung SmartTag has a limited range of up to around 120 meters (about 390 feet). If the SmartTag goes out of range of your phone, Samsung’s SmartThings Find network can help track it down by using nearby Galaxy devices. Still, the tag needs to be within range of a device in the network in order to provide location updates. And when your dog or cat is on the run, it’s not possible to make sure they stay within range of a Samsung SmartThings device. The fact that your pet could easily get out of range is one of the biggest shortcomings when it comes to using SmartTag for pets.

Tractive GPS Dog Tracker vs Bluetooth tracker range illustrated infographic

SmartTag for pets: Can you put a Samsung SmartTag on a dog or cat?

Technically yes, you can put a Samsung Galaxy SmartTag on a dog or cat, but as pet tracking experts, we wouldn’t recommend it. Remember, SmartTag needs other Samsung devices to work. So while it may help you find your dog or cat if they’re hiding nearby, it’s not the best tool to rely on for your pet’s safety or your peace of mind.

Take for example this scenario: You’re in a rural, forested area when your dog catches a scent and runs after it. Suddenly, they’re out of sight, running deep into the forest, and you have no idea which way they went or how far they’ve gone. Chances are there will not be many Samsung users nearby, if any – so a SmartTag could be useless in this particular situation.

Better safe than sorry: Instead of relying on a limited range Bluetooth item finder to track your pet, it is recommended to use a GPS tracker specifically designed for pets like the Tractive GPS for Cats and Dogs.

Keep your pets healthy & safe

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. See how much – or how little – activity they’re getting. And get Health Alerts if something might be wrong.

Get Tractive

What’s the difference between SmartTag, SmartTag+ and SmartTag2?

Samsung’s SmartTag series has evolved over time, introducing new features and improvements with each iteration. The original SmartTag provided basic Bluetooth tracking capabilities. The SmartTag+ added Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for more precise locating. The latest SmartTag2 combines these features and introduces enhancements like improved battery life and water resistance. The following table outlines the key differences between these models:

Feature	SmartTag	SmartTag+	SmartTag2
Release Date	January 2021	April 2021	October 2023
Connectivity	Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)	BLE + Ultra-Wideband (UWB)	BLE + UWB
Range (Bluetooth)	Up to 120 meters	Up to 120 meters	Up to 120 meters
Precision Finding	❌	✅ AR Finder with UWB	✅ Compass View with UWB
Battery Life	Up to 300 days	100-130 days	Up to 500 days
Water Resistance	IPS2	IPS2	IP67
Design	Square, small keyring hole	Slightly larger, same shape	Slimmer, larger metal loop
GPS	❌	❌	❌

Each SmartTag model caters to different tracking needs. The original SmartTag is suitable for basic item tracking within Bluetooth range. The SmartTag+ introduces UWB for more precise indoor locating. The latest SmartTag2 combines the best features of its predecessors and adds enhancements like improved battery life, water resistance, and Lost Mode functionality.

Samsung SmartTag vs Apple AirTag

The Samsung SmartTag and Apple AirTag were built for the same purpose: to keep track of personal items that can be misplaced easily, like keys or a bike. Additionally, they function in the same way, each relying on other devices in the same network (Apple or Samsung) to locate your own device.

The two item finders are essentially the same – with the main difference being that AirTag is only compatible with Apple devices and SmartTag is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy devices. So you won’t be able to use the Samsung tag if you have an iPhone and vice versa.

On the other hand, Tractive is compatible with Android and iOS devices – making the tracker suitable for everyone. You can even track your dog or cat in any web browser. And these trackers don’t rely on any specific network of users to function – but rather on universal technologies like GPS and the cellular network.

7 Limitations of using Samsung SmartTag for pets

1. Limited Bluetooth range 🐾

Samsung SmartTags use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect to your phone. This means they only work within a short range—up to 120 meters in perfect conditions. In real-world use (e.g. indoors, dense neighborhoods), that range is often much shorter. If your pet runs off beyond that, the tag won’t communicate with your phone directly anymore.

2. No real-time GPS tracking 🌐

Unlike dedicated pet trackers like Tractive GPS, the SmartTag does not have a GPS chip. That means it can’t show your pet’s live location on a map or track movement over time. It’s more like a Bluetooth “hot or cold” game than an actual live tracking solution.

3. Reliance on Samsung’s SmartThings Find network 🔍

If your pet wanders out of Bluetooth range, finding them relies on nearby Samsung Galaxy users anonymously detecting the SmartTag. This works best in urban areas with high Galaxy device density—but in rural or remote locations, coverage may be very poor or nonexistent.

4. Only works with Samsung Galaxy phones 📱

SmartTags are part of the SmartThings ecosystem, and only work with Samsung Galaxy phones. If you or others trying to help use other devices (like iPhones), they won’t be able to connect to or help find the tag.

5. Water resistant, not waterproof 🌧️

SmartTags have limited water resistance (IP53 rating), which means they can handle light rain or splashes but not full immersion. This makes them a risky choice for pets who love swimming, puddle-jumping, or rolling in the wet grass.

6. Battery-powered, no charging 🔋

They use a replaceable coin battery (CR2032), which lasts up to a year. While that’s convenient in some ways, there’s no remote battery level monitoring or alerts if it dies—so it’s easy to forget and end up with a tag that’s not working when you need it.

7. No secure or pet-safe attachment by default 🧷

SmartTags weren’t designed specifically for pets, so they don’t come with secure pet collar attachments. You’d need to rig or buy a third-party holder, and it might not stay on during wild zoomies or woodland adventures. Besides that, it’s small size means it could easily be swallowed up by your curious canine – which can pose a serious health risk due to the integrated battery.

So what are GPS pet trackers and how do they compare?

Now that we’ve considered the use of SmartTag for pets, let’s consider GPS pet trackers and how they compare.

A GPS tracker for dogs or cats is a small device that attaches to your pet’s collar and allows you to see where they are – and follow every step – with the help of GPS.
10 Reasons To Get Your Dog A GPS Tracker

In addition to worldwide location tracking in real-time, modern GPS pet trackers like Tractive GPS also allow you to keep track of your pet’s activity, sleep and health. So you can see how much exercise and sleep your furry friend is getting, receive health alerts if something seems off, monitor vital signs and keep track of their overall wellbeing.

Most importantly: With a GPS pet tracker, gone are the days of lost dogs and missing cats. You’ll know where your pet is anytime.

Tractive GPS features

Besides that, the Tractive GPS tracker for pets comes with a whole bunch of pawsome features, since it was built specifically for our favorite four-legged friends. These include:

LIVE Mode: Find your pet in no time with location updates every 2-3 seconds.
Unlimited Range: Track your dog or cat from anywhere, no matter how far away they roam.
Virtual Fence: Set up a safe area – and get an alert if your pet leaves the area.
Location History: See where your buddy has been in the last 365 days; learn their favorite spots.
Find Mode: Pinpoint your dog or cat’s location in close range, like inside the house.
Family Sharing: Let friends, family, walkers and pet-sitters track your cat or dog with you.
Activity & Sleep Monitoring: Set daily goals, see how other pets are doing, and keep your four-legged friend in shape.
Health Alerts: Find out if something might be wrong with your buddy, based on changes in activity and sleep.
Power Saving Zones: Save on battery life in places where your buddy spends lots of time.
Dog Walks: Record everywhere you go with your furry friend.
Cat Territory: Tractive helps you understand just exactly what your cat considers their territory.

Now, let’s look at how the Tractive GPS & Health Tracker compares to the Samsung SmartTag2.

Tractive GPS vs Samsung SmartTag for pets comparison

dog and cat wearing tractive gps pet tracker

Conclusion: Samsung SmartTags aren’t built for pets

Samsung SmartTags are handy for keeping track of things like keys or bags. But when it comes to pets—especially those that run fast, explore far, or love getting messy—they fall short. For full peace of mind, a real GPS pet tracker with unlimited range, live tracking, and waterproof design is the better choice.