E-bikes are valuable, easy to resell and a popular target for thieves. A hidden tracker won't stop someone cutting your lock, but it can give you and the police a real chance of getting the bike back. The catch is that "tracker" covers very different gadgets, from cheap Bluetooth tags that rely on strangers' phones to proper GPS units with their own 4G connection and a subscription. This guide explains the difference and picks the best options for Australian riders.
These are researched picks, not hands-on tested. We've based them on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
Quick picks
- Best for iPhone users: Apple AirTag (2nd generation)
- Best hidden AirTag mount: Topeak Cage Mount for AirTag
- Best tracker with an alarm: Knog Scout
- Best for Samsung Galaxy users: Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
- Best for mixed iPhone and Android households: Tile Pro
- Best true GPS tracker: Invoxia GPS Tracker Pro
Bluetooth tags vs GPS trackers: what's the difference?
Bluetooth tags (AirTag, SmartTag, Tile, Knog Scout) don't have GPS or a SIM. They send out a Bluetooth signal that nearby phones pick up and report anonymously to a network. In busy Australian cities there are plenty of phones around, so location updates can be frequent. In quiet suburbs, a shed or the bush they can be patchy. The upside: they're small, cheap, light, and the battery lasts a year or more with no subscription.
GPS trackers with cellular have their own GPS receiver and mobile connection, so they can report where the bike is wherever there's mobile coverage, often in near real time, and send movement alerts. The trade-offs are size, battery that needs charging every few weeks, and an ongoing subscription.
One more thing to know: Apple, Samsung and Google have built anti-stalking features into phones, so a thief carrying an iPhone (and increasingly an Android phone) may get an alert that an unknown tracker is travelling with them. That makes hiding the tag well important, and it's another reason some riders pay for a dedicated GPS unit.
The best GPS trackers for e-bikes
Apple AirTag (2nd generation)
Apple released the second-generation AirTag in January 2026, and it's now sold through major Australian retailers. It uses Apple's Find My network, which is huge because every nearby iPhone helps locate it. The new model has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that lets Precision Finding work from about 1.5 times further away, and a speaker Apple says is up to 50 per cent louder. It runs on a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell that lasts more than a year, and there's no subscription. You'll need a recent iPhone and up-to-date iOS to set it up. On its own an AirTag is easy to spot, so pair it with a hidden mount.
- Biggest crowd-sourced finding network in Australia's cities
- No subscription, replaceable battery
- Small enough to hide on most bikes
- iPhone only
- Anti-stalking alerts can tip off a thief
- No motion alarm or real-time tracking
Topeak Cage Mount for AirTag
A hidden mount makes an AirTag far harder for a thief to find. Topeak's Cage Mount bolts onto your bottle cage bosses, either under a standard bottle cage or by itself, and holds the AirTag out of sight. It comes with two stainless steel security bolts and a matching key to discourage tampering, and it's made of weather-resistant polymer. Most e-bikes have bottle cage bosses on the down tube or seat tube, though on some the battery takes that spot, so check yours before buying. Other well-reviewed options include holders that hide inside a bike bell or a light bracket, and Muc-Off's tubeless valve holder for tubeless wheels.
- Discreet under a bottle cage
- Security bolts included
- Light and compact
- Needs free bottle cage mounts
- Security bolts slow down determined thieves rather than stopping them
Knog Scout
Melbourne brand Knog's Scout combines a Find My tracker with a motion-triggered 85 dB alarm. It mounts under your bottle cage with anti-tamper screws, and when armed, movement sets off the alarm and pings your iPhone. If the bike still goes walkabout, you can locate it in Apple's Find My app. It's rated IP66, charges over USB-C and is claimed to last up to six months per charge, with no subscription. The big limitation is that it works with iPhone only. Reviewers also noted that the supplied screws can be too short for some bottle cages.
- Loud alarm adds real deterrence
- Uses Apple's Find My network
- Rechargeable, no subscription
- No Android support
- Needs bottle cage mounts
- Alarm sensitivity may need tweaking to avoid false alerts
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, the SmartTag2 is the closest thing to an AirTag. It uses Samsung's SmartThings Find network, which relies on nearby Galaxy devices. Samsung quotes up to 500 days of battery in normal mode, plus a power-saving mode that stretches it further. It's rated IP67 for water and dust, which suits a bike that lives outdoors. On a Galaxy phone with Ultra Wideband you get compass-style directions to the tag. Its shape includes a large loop hole, so you'll need to get creative (or use a case) to hide it on your bike.
- Very long battery life
- IP67 water and dust rating
- No subscription
- Only works with Samsung Galaxy phones
- Smaller finding network than Apple's
- Fewer purpose-made bike mounts
Tile Pro
Tile, now owned by Life360, works with both iPhone and Android, which makes it handy if your household uses a mix of phones. The current Tile Pro (the 2024 model) is rated IP68 and is the only Tile with a replaceable battery, which lasts about a year. Its button can trigger an SOS alert through the Life360 app. The weaker points are its finding network, which is far smaller than Apple's, and reviews that found real-world Bluetooth range well short of the claimed figure. Some features, such as location history and smart alerts, need a paid Life360 membership.
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Replaceable battery, IP68 rating
- Basic tracking is free
- Smaller finding network
- Useful extras locked behind a subscription
- Real-world range reported as lower than claimed
Invoxia GPS Tracker Pro
For live tracking that doesn't depend on someone walking past with the right phone, you need a cellular GPS tracker. The Invoxia GPS Tracker Pro uses the LTE-M 4G network, and Invoxia lists Australia among the countries where it has tested and guarantees it works. It's slim and light (around 27 g), with movement alerts, geofencing zones and an app for iPhone and Android. A one-year subscription is included, after which you'll need to pay for a monthly or yearly plan to keep it working. It needs regular recharging, with battery life depending on how often you set it to report. Note that it's only rated IP33, so it isn't waterproof; hide it somewhere sheltered such as inside a frame bag or under the seat.
- Real GPS location over 4G, wherever there's coverage
- Movement and geofence alerts
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Ongoing subscription after the first year
- Not waterproof
- Needs charging much more often than a Bluetooth tag
Buying guide: what to look for
Match the tracker to your phone
This is the biggest decision. AirTag and Knog Scout need an iPhone, SmartTag2 needs a Samsung Galaxy, and Tile and Invoxia work with both. A tracker that doesn't suit your phone is useless.
Hiding spot
A visible tracker is the first thing a thief rips off. Good spots include under a bottle cage, inside a bell or light mount, inside the handlebar or seatpost (if the tracker fits), or inside a frame or saddle bag. Avoid anywhere that blocks the signal completely, such as sealed metal enclosures, and never open your e-bike's battery or motor housing to fit a tracker.
Subscription and running costs
Bluetooth tags have no subscription. Cellular GPS trackers always need one after any included period, so factor that into the cost over a few years.
Battery and charging
Coin-cell tags run for a year or more. Rechargeable trackers such as the Knog Scout and Invoxia need regular charging, and a flat tracker can't help you. Set a phone reminder.
Weatherproofing
Your bike will be out in the rain. Check the IP rating and choose a sheltered hiding spot for anything that isn't well sealed.
A tracker is just one part of a good security setup. For locks, lights and other must-haves, see our guide to essential e-bike accessories.
FAQ
Is an AirTag good enough to track a stolen e-bike?
It can be, particularly in cities where lots of iPhones are around to report its location. It isn't real-time GPS, though, and a thief with an iPhone may be alerted that an unknown AirTag is moving with them. Hide it well, or consider a cellular GPS tracker if you want live updates.
Do GPS bike trackers need a subscription in Australia?
Trackers with their own mobile connection, like the Invoxia GPS Tracker Pro, need a subscription to pay for data, usually after an included first period. Bluetooth tags like AirTag, SmartTag2 and Knog Scout don't.
Can I use an AirTag with an Android phone?
No, you need an Apple device to set up and track an AirTag. Android users should look at Samsung's SmartTag2 (Galaxy phones only), Tile, or a cellular GPS tracker.
Where's the best place to hide a tracker on an e-bike?
Under the bottle cage, inside a bell or light bracket, in the handlebar or seatpost, or tucked into a frame bag are all common options. Pick somewhere a thief won't think to check, and don't open up the battery or motor to fit one.
Should I try to get my stolen bike back myself?
No. Report the theft to police with your bike's serial number and photos, and share the tracker's location with them. Confronting a thief can be dangerous.
Does a tracker replace a lock?
No. A tracker helps with recovery after a theft; a good lock helps stop the theft happening. Use both.