TSA lock with built-in "Where is it?" feature and rechargeable battery
AirTags appear in more and more suitcases, partly because airlines now use them for tracking. Accessories producer Scapade now presents a new form factor.
AirLock by Scapade: Tracking directly in the lock.
(Image: Scapade)
There are more and more variants of trackers compatible with Apple's “Where is it?” finding network. For example, you can buy devices from third-party providers that are particularly thin (credit card format for your wallet) or louder than Apple's own AirTags when found. Cyprus-based accessory provider Scapade has now invented a very special form factor: a TSA lock for suitcases and backpacks that also contains a “Find My” compatible Bluetooth tracker.
Tracking always with you
The device, called AirLock, looks almost identical to a regular suitcase lock with a flexible steel core. Only the combination lock is slightly thicker on the side and has a radio symbol. The idea behind the hardware is to simply attach it to your luggage, usually near the zipper. This way, you'll never forget to hide an AirTag in your suitcase again. However, it's important to bear in mind that, in the worst-case scenario, you could lose the lock and no longer be able to track your suitcase.
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The truth is that TSA locks certified by the US Transportation Security Administration can be easily opened with standard keys available on the open market. They are therefore primarily intended as a deterrent to theft; professionals either have a key or can remove them with a simple metal cutter.
Not cheap and short battery life
Scapade sells its AirLocks for just under $40 each. That's significantly pricier than more robust versions from Tumi, a brand popular with business travelers, which cost $70 for a pack of three (without “Where is it?”). Practical: An AirLock is rechargeable. However, according to the manufacturer, the battery only lasts for two months at a time.
Thereafter, it can be recharged via USB-C. Setup is done via Apple's “Where is?” app. Scapade emphasizes that the case is “ultra-resistant [...] to protect against tampering and wear and tear.” The lock is suitable for both hand luggage and checked baggage. Delivery is available immediately. Mac & i will take a closer look at the hardware in issue 5/2025. Apple has recently started working directly with airlines, which can be provided access to “Find My” devices if luggage is lost.
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