Samsung's SmartTag 3 Works with iPhones but Not Android's Find Hub

Jennifer Moore · 2026-10-01

Samsung's latest tracker, the Galaxy SmartTag 3, has made a surprising move in the tracking wars. It can now be found using an iPhone, but it still won't work with Google's wider Android Find Hub network. That's a head-scratcher for anyone expecting open compatibility. ### The Odd Twist: iPhone Compatibility The SmartTag 3 still primarily lives within Samsung's Galaxy Find Network, which works through the SmartThings Find app on Galaxy smartphones. Samsung says more than 900 million Galaxy devices contribute to that network. But here's the twist: iPhone users can now use Samsung's app to locate a SmartTag 3, even though their devices won't contribute to the Galaxy Find Network. That makes the tracker a little more useful for households that mix Galaxy and iPhone devices. So if you're in a mixed-device household, you can finally hand your iPhone to your partner and say, "Can you ping my keys?" without them rolling their eyes. It's a small win, but a win nonetheless. ### What It Doesn't Do: Android Find Hub What it doesn't do is connect to Android's Find Hub. Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Find Network, Google's Find Hub is designed to work across Android devices rather than being limited to Samsung's Galaxy phones. So if you're deep in the Google ecosystem, this tracker won't play nice with your Find Hub network. It's a bit like buying a fancy coffee machine that only works with one brand of pods—great if you're loyal, frustrating if you're not. ### Smaller and Lighter, But With a Catch The SmartTag 3 is also smaller and lighter than its predecessor, shrinking by 35% and weighing 33% less. Samsung achieved that by removing the built-in mounting loop, with users instead relying on add-on cases and accessories to attach the tracker to their belongings. That's a trade-off: you get a sleeker device, but you'll need to buy extra accessories to attach it to your keys or bag. It's like getting a phone without a charger—more convenient in theory, but you'll end up paying for the extras. ### Under the Hood: Bluetooth 6.0, UWB, and Serious Battery Life Inside, there's support for Bluetooth 6.0 with channel sounding and UWB for more precise finding. Battery life has also been stretched to up to 550 days under typical use, or as much as 790 days with Power Saving Mode enabled. That's impressive—you could literally lose your keys for over a year and still have battery left to find them. ### New Tracking Features That Actually Help Samsung has also added several tracking features. Place Notification lets users set an area and receive an alert when a tagged item enters or leaves it, while Location History shows where the tag has been. Movement Detection Alert can flag unexpected movement, and Left Behind Alert warns when a phone loses connection with a tagged belonging. There's also an NFC-powered Lost Mode that can display contact details or a message when someone scans a lost tag with a compatible device. The tag button can additionally trigger preset SmartThings routines for compatible connected devices. Imagine walking into your home and your lights turn on just because you pressed a button on your key tracker—that's the kind of smart-home magic Samsung is pushing. ### Availability and Final Thoughts The Galaxy SmartTag 3 will go on sale on October 7 in South Korea, with other regions to follow in the coming months. No word yet on US pricing, but we'll update as soon as we hear more. So, is the SmartTag 3 worth it? If you're a Samsung loyalist with a Galaxy phone, it's a solid upgrade with better battery and more features. If you're an iPhone user in a mixed household, it's a handy accessory. But if you're all-in on Android and Google's Find Hub, you might want to wait for a tracker that plays nicely with your network. It's a bit like buying a car that only takes one brand of gas—fine if you're near that station, but a hassle if you're not. What do you think? Is Samsung's move a smart play or a missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments.