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When you think of tracking devices, the Apple AirTag is likely the first thing that comes to mind. The Apple AirTag is a good solution for keeping tabs on your keys, wallet, or that jacket you keep leaving behind constantly. But how effective is it for tracking people?
Here’s a hard-to-swallow pill for some: AirTags are not built for that. In fact, even Apple says, ‘AirTags are not meant to track people.’
Meet the Totem Compass: a stylish, safety-first device built specifically to keep your loved ones close, no matter where the night (or day) takes you. With real-time tracking, pinpoint accuracy, and absolutely zero reliance on cell service, the Totem Compass isn’t just an alternative to AirTags—it’s a total game-changer.
This blog post will compare both devices when it comes to:
- Reliance on Cell Service
- Position Accuracy
- Real-Time Tracking
- Integrated SOS Features
- The Effect Being Fashionable and Wearable has on the Tracking Experience
- Requiring Screen Time and Phone Dependence
Lastly, It wouldn’t be a fair comparison if it didn’t touch on: Situations Where AirTags Could be Better for Tracking People!
Let’s break it down.
AirTags Require Cell Service, the Totem Compass Does Not
Contrary to popular belief, AirTags require cell service for real-time tracking. While the AirTag uses Bluetooth to ping nearby Apple devices, your Apple device needs an internet connection to receive location updates.
In areas with no service? You’re out of luck. The best you’ll get is the last known location of whatever you’re trying to find. In other words, you will see the AirTag’s location only where it was last near a connected iPhone.
Shocked? Apple themselves have confirmed this to be true. The position of your AirTag relies on the internet connection of surrounding devices, which can pose a huge problem when you’re trying to find your people in a crowd with congested networks.
The Totem Compass plays by a different set of rules. It operates completely off the grid—no cell service, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth needed. The Totem Compass connects using GNSS satellites and peer-to-peer communication with an incredible 1000+ meter range. And when other Totems are around? The Unity Mesh Network extends that range even further, making it the most reliable way to keep your loved ones close, no matter where you are.
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Totem Compass: Up to 10X More Accurate than an AirTag (Yes, Really.)
AirTags are decent at pinpointing lost objects if you’re within Bluetooth range—which is about 30 meters max, and realistically closer to 10. Beyond that? The location precision drops fast.
If you’re relying on surrounding Apple devices for location updates, expect a 10-30 meter margin of error (that’s up to 100 feet!). Not exactly helpful when you’re trying to find a friend in a packed music festival, where you’re definitely receiving stale location data!
Check out this blog where the writer mailed an AirTag and tested its tracking capability. You can see just how huge that precision radius is whenever it’s not right next to another device with internet connection.
The Totem team LOVES using AirTags for finding our keys in the sofa cushions, but trying to find the exact ten meter radius (don’t even get me started on thirty meters) of your friend’s AirTag in a dense crowd of 10,000+ people is bound to be a difficult experience. 😵💫
The Totem Compass, on the other hand, locks onto your peers’ location with sub-meter accuracy (under 3 feet!) in good conditions, and doesn’t require you to be anywhere near your friend to track them.
This ensures you can always find exactly where someone is.When you’re navigating across an entire festival venue, through wildly dense crowds, every single meter counts.
Totem Provides Real-Time Tracking, Not Just “Whenever It Updates”
AirTags update their location every 1-2 minutes at best. That’s a lifetime when you’re trying to navigate a moving crowd! If cell service is down? Those updates take even longer. This delay can lead to a lot of frustration, especially with how often your friends at festivals are moving targets. 🏃
The Totem Compass, on the other hand, updates every 1-2 seconds. That’s real-time tracking—not guesswork. Whether your group is darting between stages or weaving through a packed amusement park, you’ll always know where they are in the moment.
Time is the most valuable thing we have in this life. You’d be shocked just how much time you can save at EVERY event you attend by simply always knowing where your people are, without waiting and with minimal effort.
Check out that mind-blowingly low latency in action below:
Integrated SOS Features vs. Nothing of the Sort
One of the biggest drawbacks of AirTags? No SOS functionality. If you or a loved one ever feel unsafe or need help, an AirTag won’t do much more than sit there.
The Totem Compass? A literal lifesaver. If you ever need help, just activate SOS Mode, and your Totem will flash an alert to your friends’ devices. No fumbling with your phone, no texting your location—just a quick, discreet way to let your people know you need them. For parents? You can use it in reverse to call your kids back when it’s time to regroup.
When you’re in a vulnerable state of mind, it can be difficult to think clearly. SOS Mode makes it so your friends can find you while preserving your mental bandwidth. That’s a lot less time spent being lost or afraid and a whole lot MORE time spent enjoying life’s most beautiful moments with the people you love. Sounds pretty awesome, right?!
In addition, SOS on the Totem Compass is discreet, kind of like a silent bank alarm! Sometimes, if someone around is making you uncomfortable, you don’t want them to know you’re calling in your backup. The Totem Compass has you covered there. 🫶
This feature has become a highlight in many of our viral posts, resonating with parents, festival-goers, and anyone who finds comfort in having an extra layer of safety. The absence of this capability in the AirTag makes it far less suited for tracking the people you love.
Totem Compass is Fashionable and Wearable, Making People Want to Use Them
Let’s be honest: AirTags aren’t meant to be worn. They’re designed for things, not people. That’s why most folks shove them in a keychain or stick them in a bag.
The Totem Compass, on the other hand? It’s wearable tech that actually looks good.
Designed as tech jewelry, it’s sleek, stylish, and fully customizable with 12 Touch Crystal color options to match any outfit or vibe. No more hiding your tracker—it’s a statement piece.
Totem will also be offering customizable accessories, including jewelry-style lanyards and personalized skins, allowing everyone to make their Totem Compass uniquely theirs.
Finding your friends is a lot more fun and useful when everyone in the group WANTS to participate—as opposed to shoving an AirTag in your friend’s bag and having them run off. At music festivals in particular, when everyone in your group has a Totem around their chest, you will experience a level of freedom, peace of mind, and unity unlike any other.
Set conflicts? No problem. Waiting around for friends to use the bathroom while missing an amazing performance? A thing of the past. Meetup times? Never heard of them! 🔥
The wearable appeal of the Totem Compass spans beyond music festivals. In fact, many parents have told us that their children were the ones who first wanted the Totem Compass because of its design—before they even realized the full range of safety and tracking benefits it offered! 🤯
Totems Promote Less Screen Time, AirTags Require It
Let’s talk about phone fatigue. More and more people are looking for ways to disconnect from their screens, especially at festivals and family outings.
Since AirTags require the Find My app (and a strong internet connection) to work, prepare to be glued to your phone every time you want to check a location. That’s not the experience most people want when they’re trying to be present in the moment. Recent studies show that a whopping 78% of US parents believe it is unacceptable for a child under 12 to have a smartphone.
Totems were designed specifically to minimize phone use. You don’t need constant screen-checking to find your people—just a quick glance at your Totem and you’re on your way. This makes the Totem Compass the perfect solution for friend groups and parents alike, who want peace of mind without the need to check their phone every few minutes. An ideal balance of freedom, safety, and fun!
Situations Where AirTags Might Have the Edge for Tracking People
While the Totem Compass is built specifically for keeping track of people, there are a few situations where an AirTag might have the edge. If you're wondering when an AirTag could be the better choice, here’s what to consider:
- Tracking Someone Miles Away – If your friend has wandered way beyond Totem Compass’ peer-to-peer range, an AirTag might be able to give you a rough idea of where they are. Since it pings off Apple’s vast network of devices, it can help you close the gap—though once you’re nearby, it won’t be nearly as accurate as Totem, especially in areas with limited cell service/internet connection.
- Needing a Tracker That Can Go Weeks Without Charging – If you’re tracking someone in a situation where charging regularly isn’t an option (like checking in on a distant relative every once in a while), an AirTag’s months-long battery life could be helpful.
- Budget Constraints – AirTags are cheaper upfront at around $30—but only if you already have a $600+ compatible iPhone to use with it. If you don’t, that price jumps significantly.
Totem Vs. AirTag: The Verdict
When it comes to finding your people, the Totem Compass isn’t just an alternative to the AirTag—it’s the smarter, more reliable solution designed specifically for this purpose.
While the AirTag was built primarily for finding misplaced items, the Totem Compass was engineered for real-time, human-to-human connection in the moments that matter most.
With real-time tracking, far greater precision, and no reliance on cell service, the superior tech inside the Totem Compass ensures you can always locate loved ones—even in crowded spaces or areas with little to no cell service. And with built-in SOS functionality, it’s not just about tracking, it’s about safety—giving friends, families, and adventurers that really care true peace of mind.
Beyond functionality, the Totem Compass also stands out in design and wearability. Unlike the AirTag, which is meant to be attached to keys or bags, the Totem Compass is a sleek, wearable piece of tech jewelry that people actually want to show off. Blending safety with self-expression, the Totem Compass is the first tracking device designed to be both practical and stylish.
Check out our Totem Compass Reviews page and Totem Compass Reviews YouTube Playlist to see what real customers are saying. Making an informed decision that factors in every possible variable is very important when trying out new tech!
At the end of the day, the Totem Compass doesn’t just help you find your loved ones—it helps you stay connected, safer, and more present in the moment. That’s why it’s not just better than the AirTag—it’s an entirely new experience, built for the way people ACTUALLY move through this world. ✨
