Tech

One of my new favorite AirTags fits perfectly in my wallet – and lasts a long time

good and bad

Benefits

  • Tough polycarbonate construction designed to stay in a bag or purse.
  • 5 month battery life and wireless charging.
  • Easy to use, no third party app required
Evil

  • High price (but on par with similar tracker cards).
  • I would not use this as a luggage tag.

many shopping choices

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I repeat, I play the song Apple AirTags. I absolutely love them. It was one piece of technology that truly changed my life.

But as much as I love them, they are not perfect. One thing that hasn’t changed in the nearly five years since they were released is their design. As big a fan as I am — and I consider myself their No. 1 fan — even I have to admit that their little UFO-like design doesn’t fit well in a purse or wallet.

Also: This AirTag variant with a 130dB siren and strobe light has my name written all over it

I tried all kinds of solutions to make AirTags work for wallets, even going so far as to take them apart and put them back into a 3D printed credit card shell. But, in the end, it’s the best option I’ve found clip used by Ridge in it wallets — and that’s totally wrong.

Thankfully, third-party tags have entered the market, and many of them are perfect for slipping into a bag or purse. Even better, some offer a few improvements over Apple’s AirTag.

One tag I recently checked is UAG Metropolis is Urban Armor Geara company known for its rugged smartphone cases. Metropolis ticks all the boxes for me and is now the tag of choice in my wallet.

Why it works on wallets

Metropolis is designed to fit perfectly with your credit cards. It measures 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.1 inches (85.8 × 53.6 × 3.0 mm), making it about the thickness of four credit cards.

Also: This Bluetooth tracker has successfully replaced my AirTag with its improved durability alone

The card is made of a tough polycarbonate shell, which is ultrasonically welded to the edges. It’s rated IPX4, which means it’s dust-resistant and can handle splashes. I even soaked the card multiple times, and it continued to work flawlessly.

Water is not a problem on the Metropolis tracker card.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Durability: Can it handle daily use?

A common concern with small tracker cards is their durability. Wallets and purses tend to experience a lot of bending and bending, which can damage something that contains a rechargeable battery.

Also: I took apart the new AirTag 2 and found a nasty bug in Apple’s popular tracker

To test this, I carried the Metropolis tag in my back pocket without a wallet for over a week. Despite all the bending and twisting, the tag remained intact.

Battery life and charging

Inside the Metropolis is a 110 mAh battery that lasts about five months under normal use. When it’s time to recharge, you can simply place it on a Qi or MagSafe wireless charger for a few hours.

Wireless charging is quick and easy, and means no batteries to be thrown away and no USB ports to fill up with pocket schmoo.

Wireless charging is quick and easy, and means no batteries to be thrown away and no USB ports to fill up with pocket schmoo.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

According to UAG, the battery is designed to last 300 charge cycles. That equates to over 100 years of use based on battery life, so it’s safe to say the battery is built to last.

Metropolis works with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks. During setup, you choose which network you want, and you can reset the card later if needed.

Also: I placed my AirTag within minutes of trying this alternative Bluetooth tracker – here’s why

Bluetooth detection range is about 200 feet (60 meters) in ideal conditions, dropping to about 100 feet (30 meters) indoors. This range is typical for Bluetooth trackers.

A question I get asked a lot is whether RFID blocking wallets limit the range of tracker cards. After testing several cards and wallets, I can confidently say that they do not have a significant impact.

However, metal bags, such as Ridge bags, can block the signal. If this happens, you can slide the tracker behind the money belt, which is Ridge’s recommended workaround.

One outstanding feature of the UAG Metropolis is its 95 dB speaker. This is as loud as a power tool and much louder than the first generation AirTags. It’s compatible with AirTags of the second type, making it perfect for finding a lost wallet in a pile of clothes, deep in the sofa, or even in the car.

Also: This AirTag-like card tracker is my top pick for Android and iOS users — and it’s rechargeable

The Metropolis has a slot cut into it so it can double as a luggage tag. However, I’m not a fan of using tracker tags on airplanes because I’ve seen a lot of them get bent or damaged. Instead, I recommend putting the tag inside your luggage or using a rugged tag holder for extra protection.

It bends, but it won't break in normal use.

It bends, but it won’t break in normal use.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

ZDNET shopping advice

I like it a lot UAG Metropolis card. It’s functional, stylish, and works seamlessly with both Apple and Google tracking networks. Also, it doesn’t need a third-party app to run.

You can also be sure that no one will use it to secretly track you — it will trigger an anonymous tracker alert if that happens.

The card also pairs well with it UAG magnetic wallet by UAGwhich adds a touch of style and functionality.

Also: The best Bluetooth trackers of 2026: Our top picks to keep track of your stuff

At $45, the Metropolis is competitively priced compared to other high-performance tracker cards, such as those from The Ridge, The Rolling Squareor KeySmart (although deals can vary, so shop around).

I really like the rounded corners and the smooth, premium feel of this card. It’s much less likely to get worn on the sides of a wallet or purse compared to other cards I’ve tested.

The UAG Metropolis is a great alternative to Apple AirTags, especially if you want a tracker that fits in your wallet or purse. Although it doesn’t support Apple’s Precision Tracking, its compact design, durability, and compatibility with both Apple and Google networks make it a strong contender in the tracker market.



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