Samsung's SmartTags trackers, which offer similar functionality to Apple's AirTags, can now be used with any Android device, thanks to a new open-source app called uTag. Developed by Kieron Quinn, uTag allows users to utilize Samsung's SmartTags with Android devices running Android 11 or later, breaking free from the previous limitation of only working with Samsung Galaxy devices.

The SmartThings app, which is used to configure and control various smart home devices, is compatible with any Android or iOS device. However, the app includes a software check that restricts the setup of a SmartTag tracker to only Samsung Galaxy devices. Certain features of the SmartThings app, such as SmartThings Find, which enables users to track the location of SmartTags on a map, also rely on software exclusive to Galaxy devices through Samsung's One UI user interface.

uTag replaces SmartThings' tracking and map functionality with a companion Android app that replicates most of the features in Samsung's apps. These features include notifications for when a Tag is left behind, sharing its location with others, triggering its ringtone, and viewing its location history. Moreover, uTag is the "first tag tracking app on non-Samsung devices to support precise tracking" through ultra-wideband (UWB) radios, a feature still not available on Google's Find my Device app.

uTag also introduces new functionality not offered through Samsung's SmartThings app, such as the ability to automatically scan periodically for unknown Tags, with notifications showing where one was detected. In contrast, scans for unknown Tags can only be started manually using the SmartThings app, limiting the usefulness of the feature.

uTag is available for free through GitHub as a downloadable Android APK. During setup, the app downloads and installs a modded version of SmartThings that disables its device checks for Galaxy hardware, allowing the app to communicate with uTag. Users will also need to sign in with their Samsung account on the SmartThings app and on uTag to grant access to necessary Samsung APIs. To alleviate concerns about signing in to third-party apps, Quinn has opted to release uTag as an open-source app, enabling users to inspect exactly what it does with those credentials.

The implications of uTag are significant, as it opens up Samsung's SmartTags ecosystem to a broader range of Android devices. This development may prompt other manufacturers to reconsider their own device-exclusive tracking solutions, potentially leading to a more open and interoperable landscape for device tracking.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, innovations like uTag demonstrate the power of open-source development and community-driven innovation. By bridging the gap between Samsung's SmartTags and non-Galaxy Android devices, uTag has the potential to reshape the device tracking landscape and provide users with more flexibility and choice.