Tile + Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk is available in the U.S. only.

More information can be found in Amazon Sidewalk.

How Amazon Sidewalk works with Tile

Amazon Sidewalk is a network designed to extend the range of low-bandwidth devices like smart home gadgets and trackers by using a shared network across devices in your neighborhood. Echo devices and Ring cameras that are connected to Sidewalk act as "Sidewalk bridges," creating a network that helps locate compatible devices like Tile trackers.

Here's a breakdown of how it works:

1. Sidewalk Bridges: Echo and Ring devices that are enabled for Sidewalk act as bridges, using a combination of Bluetooth and low-energy Wi-Fi to extend the range of Sidewalk-enabled devices.
2. Tile Trackers: Tile trackers use Bluetooth to send out advertising signals. These signals include a unique advertising ID. Sidewalk bridges (like those used in Amazon's Sidewalk network) detect these signals when they come into range.
3. Location Updates: When a Tile tracker comes within Bluetooth range of a Sidewalk bridge, the bridge can detect and help locate the tracker. The location updates are sent to the Tile app, but only you, as the Tile account owner, can view them.
4. Tile Skill: To utilize the integration, you need to add the Tile skill to the Alexa mobile app. This allows you to interact with your Tile devices through Alexa and makes the Sidewalk network features accessible.

The Sidewalk setting only appears when you have a compatible Echo device linked to your Amazon account.

Useful finding features

1. Continuous Scanning and Location Updates:
   • Once you add your Tile account to the Alexa app, your Echo devices will help keep track of your Tile trackers even when you're not at home.
   • Echo devices will securely scan for your Tile devices and update their location in the Tile app. This means you can see where your Tiles are, as long as they're within the Bluetooth range of any of your Echo devices.
2. Identification of Echo Device:
   • If you have multiple Echo devices in your home, Alexa can specify which Echo device detected your Tile. For example, Alexa might say, “Your keys were last seen at 8 AM, near the kitchen speaker,” helping you narrow down the location of your Tile.

Community Finding with Sidewalk

1. No Need for Sidewalk for Personal Use:
   • You don’t need to be opted into Sidewalk to enjoy the Tile tracking features for your own devices. You can still get location updates and use Alexa to find your Tiles without Sidewalk.
2. Enhanced Community Support with Sidewalk:
   • If you opt into Sidewalk and enable Community Finding in the Alexa app, you contribute to a broader network that can help others locate their Tiles.
   • When Sidewalk is enabled, other Echo devices connected to the Sidewalk network will help search for your lost Tiles if they're within Bluetooth range of those devices. This communal network increases the chances of finding lost items beyond your immediate vicinity.

Enable full Amazon Sidewalk connectivity with your Tiles

1. If you have not done so already, download both the Tile app (iOS | Android) and Alexa app (iOS | Android) then  create an account for each app. 
2. Add the Tile Skill for Amazon Alexa.
3. Enable all of your Tiles for "Find My".
4. Open the Tile app. 
5. Tap on Settings then select Smart Home Hub. 
6. Tap on Link Account to open the Amazon Alexa app. 
7. In the Amazon Alexa app, tap on More.
8. Tap on Settings.
9. Select Account Settings. 
10. Ensure Amazon Sidewalk and Community Finding are enabled.
    • If they are disabled, select the option to enable Amazon Sidewalk and Community Finding.

Select the level of access your Tiles have to Amazon Sidewalk

You must have an Alexa-enabled device and the Tile skill must be added in their Alexa app to allow Tiles to connect and utilize the Amazon Sidewalk functionality.

Use Amazon Sidewalk features with your own Tiles, but don't allow anyone else in the Sidewalk network to use your connection.

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap on More then select Settings.
3. Tap on Account Settings, and then select Amazon Sidewalk.
4. Tap on Disable for Amazon Sidewalk and Community Finding. 

Continue using Tile but opt out of using Amazon Sidewalk completely

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap on More, then select Skills & Games.
3. Tap on Tile skill, then select Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap on Disable Skill.

Note: If you have shared your Tile with someone who has the Tile skill enabled in their Alexa app, your Tile will still be able to connect to the Sidewalk network.

Connection range

Echo devices use Sidewalk’s Wi-Fi or Data/Internet connection to update with Tile devices up to 30 feet away, though obstacles can reduce this range. Outside your home, Sidewalk extends Tile’s range into your neighborhood. Alexa speakers only look for the Tile's advertising ID, not connecting directly for location updates.

Compatible Alexa Devices

• Echo Dot (4th gen)
• Echo Dot (4th gen) with Clock
• Echo (4th gen)
• Echo Show 10 (3rd gen)
• Echo Dot (3rd gen)
• Echo Dot (3rd gen) with Clock
• Echo Plus (2nd gen)
• Echo (3rd gen)
• Echo Input
• Echo Flex
• Echo Show (2nd gen)
• Echo Show 5
• Echo Show 8
• Echo Spot
• Echo Plus
• Echo Studio

Viewing other Sidewalk-enabled devices connected to my Bridge

As a Sidewalk Bridge owner, you will not be able to see which Sidewalk-enabled devices are connected to your Bridge. The system is designed to keep this information private and ensure that your Bridge doesn’t have visibility into the specific devices using it.

Similarly, members who own Sidewalk-enabled devices will know that their devices are connected to Sidewalk but will not be able to identify which specific Bridge their device is connected to.

For detailed information on the security measures and privacy practices of Amazon Sidewalk, you can refer to their whitepaper.

Privacy and Security with Amazon Sidewalk

You cannot see the location of other people’s Tile devices, and similarly, others cannot see where your Tiles are. The system is designed to keep your tracking information private. Amazon Sidewalk has multiple layers of privacy and security to safeguard the data traveling across its network. This ensures that your location and other information are protected from unauthorized access.

Learn more about Sidewalk and its important features.