My Android Location Alerts Tag won't update - what do I do?
First: take a breath. A tag that hasn't updated recently almost always has a simple explanation - and in most cases, it doesn't mean your pet is missing or that anything is wrong with the tag itself.
Your PetFindr Location Alerts Tag (Android version) works with Google's Find Hub network (formerly known as Find My Device) - a system that relies on nearby Android phones to detect your tag and report its location. It's clever, it's free, and it doesn't rely on GPS or mobile data. But because it depends on other devices being nearby, there are a few things worth understanding.
Why isn't this GPS?
GPS trackers need their own cellular connection to send location data - which means a monthly subscription, a larger battery (and tag), and more frequent charging. Our tags instead use the free network of nearby phones (Apple's Find My or Google's Find Hub) to relay location, so there's no ongoing cost and the battery lasts months, not days. The trade-off: they work best in areas with regular foot traffic, rather than very remote locations with few phones nearby.
Quick Checks (Start Here)
Work through these in order - most location issues are solved by the first two or three.
1. Is there an Android phone nearby?
Find Hub needs an Android device within Bluetooth range to detect the tag. In quiet areas — think rural roads, national parks, or the back paddock — there may simply be no phones passing by to relay a location. This isn't a fault; it's how the network works.
2. Is Bluetooth turned on?
On the phone linked to your tag, make sure Bluetooth is switched on. Bluetooth is what lets your phone "see" the tag in the first place.
3. Is location sharing enabled for Find Hub?
Open the Find Hub app (or "Find My Device") and check that location sharing and network detection are turned on for your account.
4. Is your phone's Google account signed in and online?
If the phone linked to your tag is off, flat, in Airplane Mode, or signed out of its Google account, it can't report anything — even if your tag is broadcasting perfectly.
5. Have you checked your Google services & connected devices settings?
Go to Settings > Google services & preferences > All services > Connected devices & sharing, and confirm your tag is listed and connected.
Still no update? Check the tag itself
Battery level
Your Location Alerts Tag uses a replaceable CR2032 battery, lasting approximately 6 months dependant on usage (eg if you use beep functionality it will reduce battery). A low battery can reduce broadcast range before the tag fully dies. If you're due for a change, this is the most likely culprit.
Power cycle the tag
Hold the button for 3 seconds until you hear a ring-ring chime — this confirms the tag is on
To turn off, hold the button for 3 seconds and release — you'll hear two beeps
Note: pressing for less than 3 seconds or more than 5 seconds won't trigger power on/off — this is a built-in safeguard against accidental shutdowns, not a fault
Try a factory reset
If a simple power cycle doesn't help, a full reset often will:
Press the button twice — you'll hear one beep
Press the button four times rapidly
On the fifth press, hold it down until you hear the ring-ring chime — your tag is now reset
Re-pair the tag following the setup steps in your Quick Start guide (Settings > Devices > Available devices nearby > tap "Wireless tag" > wait for the pop-up > confirm connection)
Give it 15–20 minutes near your linked phone to reconnect and report a fresh location
If reconnecting still doesn't work, escalate through these steps:
Restart your phone's Bluetooth and cellular connection, then power-cycle the tag and wait for the "Wireless tag" pop-up
Factory reset the tag (steps above), then power-cycle and wait for the pop-up again
Restart your phone completely, then power-cycle the tag and wait for the pop-up
Update your phone's system software (Settings > System > System update)
Recheck your Google services & connected devices settings (Settings > Google services & preferences > All services > Connected devices & sharing)
Physical check
Look the tag over for any cracks, water damage, or signs the antenna may have been damaged (e.g. from a hard chew or a fall).
A note on pairing and account locks
Once your tag is linked to a Google account, it's locked to that account and inaccessible to other users until it's removed from the app or factory reset. A couple of things worth knowing:
If a tag isn't linked to a Google account within 10 minutes of being powered on, it automatically shuts off — you'll need to power it on again to retrigger pairing
If you remove a tag from the Find Hub app while it's in range, it'll chime to confirm and become free to reuse
If a tag is removed from the app while out of range, it can't be reused until it's factory reset — worth keeping in mind if you're passing a tag on or gifting one
When to contact us
Get in touch if:
You've worked through all the steps above and there's still no update after 24 hours in an area with normal phone traffic (e.g. your neighbourhood, a shopping strip)
The tag won't complete a factory reset or pairing after multiple attempts
Because Find Hub relies on proximity, the best time to notice a problem is before you need the tag in an emergency. We recommend a quick location check every 4 weeks as part of normal pet care. Keep an eye out for our reminder emails to help you stay on top of this.
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