Fi vs AirTag vs Pawsada Passport
Fi and AirTag are both about location — one with live GPS, one with Apple's Find My network. Pawsada Passport is about identity. Here's how the three fit together.
In short
Fi — live GPS
Fi is a rechargeable GPS collar with a subscription. It gives you real-time location and escape alerts — excellent for an active dog or a yard escapee. Its tracking lives in your app, though: a stranger who finds your dog sees a collar, not your phone number.
AirTag — Find My network
AirTag has no live GPS of its own; it piggybacks on nearby Apple devices, so location is approximate and works best in populated areas. No subscription, replaceable battery, and Lost Mode shows a short message when tapped. More in AirTag vs Passport.
Pawsada Passport — identity
The Passport isn’t a locator at all — and doesn’t try to be. It’s the digital identity a finder, sitter, or vet reads by tapping the tag: contact, medical, vaccinations, and safe-return. Pair it with whichever tracker you prefer.
The three side by side
| Device | Locates your dog? | Identifies your dog? | Power | Finder needs an app? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirTagBluetooth tag | Approximate, via nearby Apple devices | Lost Mode shows a short message + number when tapped — no medical, vaccination, or vet info | Replaceable coin-cell battery (~1 year) | Tap with an NFC phone to see Lost Mode |
| Fi Smart CollarGPS collar | Yes — live GPS | No finder-facing identity or medical info | Rechargeable (days per charge) | n/a (owner-side app only) |
| TractiveGPS collar | Yes — live GPS | No finder-facing identity or medical info | Rechargeable (days per charge) | n/a (owner-side app only) |
| QR ID tagNFC/QR ID tag | No | Basic profile + contact (depth varies by brand) | None | Scan the QR with any camera |
| Pawsada Passport TagDigital identity | No — pair it with a GPS tracker for location | Full identity: owner contact, medical alerts, vaccinations, vet, credentials, safe-return + Lost Mode | None — no battery, no charging | Tap (NFC) or scan (QR) with any phone — no app |
A tracker for location, a Passport for identity
Whether you choose Fi, Tractive, or an AirTag, add a Passport Tag so the person who actually finds your dog knows who they are and can reach you.
Membership includes your dog’s full Passport. Standalone Passport Tags are coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
- Can my dog use both an AirTag and a Passport Tag?
- Yes. Many owners use both. AirTag helps locate. Passport helps identify.
- Is Pawsada Passport a replacement for a GPS tracker?
- No, and it isn't meant to be. A GPS tracker helps you find where your dog is. A Passport tells whoever finds your dog who they are and how to help. They do different jobs and work best together.
- What happens if someone finds my dog?
- A finder can scan the Passport Tag and immediately access contact information, emergency details, and return instructions.
- Do NFC pet tags require batteries?
- No. NFC tags operate without batteries and activate when scanned by a compatible smartphone.
More on the Passport Center
How it works
The cornerstone: a dog's three states, and why Passport completes what a GPS tracker starts.
Digital pet passport
The concept: one shareable home for your dog's identity, records, and emergency info.
AirTag vs Passport
Locate vs identify — what each does, and why they pair up.
Best dog trackers
GPS, Bluetooth, NFC — how the categories compare, side by side.
NFC pet tags
No battery, no app — tap to reveal. How NFC beats an engraved tag.
AirTag & medical records
Short answer: no. Here's the layer that actually holds medical info.