In the constantly changing realm of smart gadgets, Bluetooth trackers have turned into vital devices for those who frequently misplace their keys, wallets, or even pets. With the recent debut of the Chipolo POP series on April 14, 2025, users were eager to explore a product that claimed to be compatible with both Google and Apple’s Find My Device ecosystems. However, as the classic saying goes, “As with many aspects of life, you can’t have everything.”
The latest product from Chipolo, the POP tracker, offers a colorful, budget-friendly, and feature-laden device available at $29. It includes a Bluetooth range of 300 feet, IP55 water and dust protection, and a convenient remote selfie button. With a loud 120-decibel alert and a replaceable one-year battery, it fulfills most requirements for a contemporary Bluetooth tracker.
Available in bright colors like yellow, green, and red alongside classic black and white, the Chipolo POP aims to cater to a diverse user base. It’s also among the limited trackers that can function within both Apple’s and Google’s tracking frameworks—at least theoretically.
Notwithstanding the standout feature of dual compatibility, there’s a notable drawback: users must select either Apple’s Find My network or Google’s Find My Device network. Once a Chipolo POP is linked to one, it cannot concurrently function on the other. This limitation is not exclusive to Chipolo; Pebblebee’s trackers experience the same restriction.
This indicates that while the hardware can support both networks, the software and network policies confine users to a binary decision. In a scenario where individuals often utilize both Android and iOS devices in the same household, this constraint seems overly limiting.
The restriction against using both networks at the same time compromises the fundamental objective of a universal tracker. Consider a family where one partner has an iPhone and the other an Android device. If a shared item like a pet’s collar or a car key is misplaced, only one person can effectively track it, based on which network the tracker is associated with.
Additionally, Apple’s Find My network has shown to be more stable and dependable compared to Google’s newer alternative. While Google has made significant enhancements to its network—introducing offline tracking, shared items, and third-party support—it still trails behind Apple in terms of real-world functionality.
There is an increasing demand for Apple and Google to engage in more profound collaboration on cross-platform tracking. They have already partnered to develop the “Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers” specification, which notifies users of unknown trackers regardless of device type. Expanding this cooperation to permit simultaneous access to both tracking networks would be a logical and user-friendly advancement.
This initiative would not only aid consumers but also manufacturers like Chipolo, Pebblebee, and Motorola, who find themselves caught in the middle of this technological tug-of-war. A unified standard would ease development and enhance user satisfaction across the spectrum.
The Chipolo POP stands as a praiseworthy product. It’s affordable, well-crafted, and filled with handy features. Nevertheless, its primary selling feature—dual-network compatibility—is hindered by the necessity to choose just one ecosystem. This limitation highlights a more significant concern within the tech industry: the absence of genuine interoperability among major platforms.
Until Apple and Google can reach a consensus, users will keep encountering this frustrating decision. So while the Chipolo POP achieves a lot, it serves as a reminder that in technology, as in life, you frequently can’t have everything.
Verdict: The Chipolo POP is a dependable Bluetooth tracker equipped with outstanding features and cross-platform possibilities—but its enforced network exclusivity prevents it from being the ultimate solution.
Image credits: Chipolo
