Trackers & tags
Fi vs AirTag vs Pawsport
Fi and AirTag are both about location — one with live GPS, one with Apple's Find My network. Pawsport 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 Pawsport.
Pawsport — identity
The Pawsport 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 |
| PawTag™Digital 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 Pawsport for identity
Whether you choose Fi, Tractive, or an AirTag, add a PawTag so the person who actually finds your dog knows who they are and can reach you.
Membership includes your dog’s full Passport.
Frequently asked questions
- Can my dog use both an AirTag and a PawTag?
- Yes. Many owners use both. AirTag helps locate. Pawsport helps identify.
- Is Pawsport 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 Pawsport 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 PawTag 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 Pawsport 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 Pawsport
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.