abTags are smart, waterproof QR stickers that are useful in returning lost items whenever the situation calls for it. Each one contains a unique QR code that leads any finder to your abTAG profile, allowing for a dialogue to happen and a retrieval to be organized.
You can put abTag codes on practically any item (laptop, bag, phone, toy, drone, etc.). If any of those items is lost, anyone who finds it can take these steps:
Aside from that, you can assign a specified person to have access to the chat for you. This is usually a close relative, roommate, or friend. They will have the option of contacting the finder if you are currently unavailable, ensuring someone talks to the person who found your personal belongings.
No, you don’t need any sort of batteries to use an abTAG. The abTAG is autonomous and works on its own, meaning the unique QR code you receive doesn’t have to be connected to an energy source for it to work. Important notice - it is not a GPS tracker or electric device, so it cannot be charged or used electronically. The good thing is, you don’t have to worry about charging it or changing any batteries, which ultimately makes it more convenient and useful.
abTAG codes work in every country around the world, as they are connected to your profile, rather than a specified location.
Even though they share a similar goal to retrieve an item, ultimately, there are a lot of differences.
1. Tracking style
The main difference is that a GPS tracker actively tracks the item. On the other hand, the point of an abTag is not to track the secured item, but rather to provide the finder with a quick way of contacting the owner so they can retrieve it more conveniently.
2. Cost
A GPS tracker can be up to 100-200x more expensive than a singular abTag. Aside from that, you can always generate and print a new QR code at any time, and for absolutely no extra charge.
3. Placement
You can find a good place for a QR code almost anywhere on any item. The key difference is that a working GPS tracker may take up more space, and they aren’t always easy or comfortable to install (especially on something as simple as a book, document, or phone).
4. Maintenance
Having no energy reliance makes the abTag tags much more reliable and user-friendly. You won’t have to worry about changing batteries or other general upkeep.
5. Main working principle and privacy
The abTag doesn’t in any way, shape, or form spy on or track you (this is true on a basic logical level, as it can’t). Instead, abTags provide a way to connect with whoever has found your stuff. So, this is a huge difference when compared to trackers, especially those using Bluetooth, GPS, and other technologies. To correctly use an abTAG, you just need a phone with a camera on it.
Additionally, abTags cannot be hijacked in any way, which is something you can’t always avoid with GPS trackers. Trackers also have the downsides of being lost themselves and being restricted in certain spaces, unlike our fully accessible abTAGS.
You can place abTAG codes on practically any item. You just need to correctly activate and select the use of a specific tag to minimize confusion later on. Moreover:
Absolutely, just make sure to place the tag on their collar or physical pet tag. In the activation step, specify your contact details and more important information about your pet or animal if you manage more than one. Such tags are ideal for a random passerby to notice if they encounter a runaway or lost pet. This is extremely useful, because not everybody can recognise certain pets or their owners, but everyone has a phone and the ability to scan the QR tag!
No, you don’t have to install anything. The camera on your phone will do all the work.
Activating an abTAG is not complicated at all:
The process is rather straightforward:
Deleting an abTAG code is just as easy:
The moment your abTAG code has been scanned, you will immediately be notified via email or phone (SMS, WhatsApp). All that’s left to do is click the link and start a dialogue with the finder.
If you specified so in the tag’s settings, a finder may contact you directly for convenience or preference. You have the choice of sharing personal contact information or keeping it private at all times.
Don’t worry if you can’t respond at the time of scanning. It’s important to understand that the tag has been scanned, which means that the finder wants to return the item to you. The finder will automatically receive the pre-written message that you set up, which serves as a conversation starter.
If you’re worried about missing their response, there is an alternative way of continuing the dialogue. You can choose a “co-owner” (a close friend or a family member) in your tag details. This person will be able to respond to the finder, either on their own or together with you. Again, you get to decide if you want to add them (just remember to explain it beforehand).
No, offering a reward isn’t necessary at all. abTAG tags work just fine without it, as the goal is to connect the owner and finder. Lots of people may return the item out of mere kindness or even obligation, like if they work in public spaces such as airports or public transport centers.
Still, it is important to consider psychology in this equation: offering some form of a reward may motivate the finder to be proactive and return your stuff faster. This is especially true if you’re dealing with more expensive or important belongings (drones, cameras, documents, etc.). In those cases, you’re more than welcome to offer some form of a bonus for helping in the retrieval.
The most fitting way of explaining the situation to the finder is a well-formed, pre-written first message sent automatically to the finder after scanning.
This message is written by you during the tag activation process and can be changed later in the tag’s settings. We recommend keeping the message short but informative and friendly, containing some form of a greeting and basic instructions for action. Example:
“Hello! If you are reading this message, you have most likely found my passport. Please call me or send me a message so we can discuss its return. Thanks in advance.”
or
“If you have found my bag, can you message me about where I can find you so I can get it back? Thank you!”
You can order our tags in the “Order New Tags” section of our site. We only receive payments through a safe and trusted platform called Stripe, and we don’t keep any of your payment information.
We deliver worldwide.
In case you don’t get your order, we at abTAG guarantee we will send a new envelope with tags or return the money for said order.
Absolutely, all the data you have input is safely stored and secured.
The system is developed in such a way that only you control what the other person (the finder) will see: your name, email, or phone number.
If you decide to hide all of your personal details, the chatting process with the finder will proceed in a fully anonymous manner.
Concerning the data we hold on our servers, they are properly encrypted, and the safety of our servers is being checked regularly. Aside from that, we don’t store any of your billing information or general payment methods.
Yes, at any moment, you can delete or change any of your current details in your personal dashboard:
You can easily adjust settings for your personal contact information. At any time, you can opt to show or choose to hide certain contact details like your phone number or email address:
No, abTAGs technically aren’t even made for any tracking purposes, so it is simply impossible. QR codes only work when scanned and don’t show the current location of the owner. Additional information shown, as mentioned already, is completely controlled by you and can be managed directly in settings.
No, a subscription is not required for the successful use of tags. Upon registration, you are automatically assigned a free plan (Basic Plan), in which you are offered all the basic functions and features for regular use of your QR tags. If you want more options and features, you can always switch to a paid plan.
On a paid plan, you are offered the ability to infinitely keep the chat history and get immediate alerts about finders scanning your tag in real-time via SMS or WhatsApp. Aside from that, you get more intricate control over what information is shown to the finder, like hiding your name, phone number, or email address. You also have the ability to add a co-owner for the tag, who will also receive immediate alerts and notifications about the lost item.