KeySmart SmartLock Review: A TSA Luggage Lock With Apple Find My Built In, and Why It Is Not the 'Only' One

Our verdict

Yes, if you fly with an iPhone and check a bag. The KeySmart SmartLock puts an Apple Find My tracker inside a Travel Sentry combination lock, so for $29.99, about the price of an AirTag alone, you get a lock TSA can open and a way to see whether your suitcase made the flight. The lock still works when the coin battery dies. But it is not "the only" TSA lock with tracking, it ignores Android, and any TSA lock is a deterrent rather than real security. SmartLock scores 5.3 out of 10, held back by those claims and limits.

The short version

• What it is: a three-dial TSA combination cable lock with an Apple Find My tracker built in.
• Price: $29.99 plus shipping for one on 4 October 2026, with three for $65.98 and free shipping on multi-packs.
• Best trait: a lock and a luggage tracker in one item for roughly the price of a tracker.
• Biggest drawback: iPhone-only, and the marketing overstates how unique it is.
• Our score: 5.3 out of 10.

Pros & cons

The pros come from combining a TSA lock with Apple's tracking network. The cons are about overstated claims, compatibility and what TSA locks can and cannot protect.

How it works

SmartLock is two things in one housing. The first is an ordinary three-dial combination lock with a flexible steel cable shackle, built to the Travel Sentry standard so that airport security can open it with a master key. The second is a small Bluetooth tracker that joins Apple's Find My network, the same network AirTags use, so any nearby iPhone can anonymously report your bag's location to you.

The photos show a compact black body with three number dials on the side, a round button on the front and a red diamond, the Travel Sentry mark. The cable shackle threads through suitcase zip pulls or backpack loops. A battery cover on the back holds a CR1632 coin cell for the tracker.

1. 01

   Set your combination

   Step 1: Set a three-digit code on the dials following the leaflet, then thread the steel cable through your suitcase zip pulls and lock it.

2. 02

   Add it to Find My

   Step 2: Press and hold the button on the lock until the LED flashes, then add it in the Items tab of the Find My app on your iPhone and give it a name.

3. 03

   Track and find your bag

   Step 3: Check the bag's location on the Find My map during your trip, play a sound to spot it on the carousel, or turn on Lost Mode if the airline loses it.

Travel Sentry and the red diamond

TSA needs to open checked bags for inspection without the passenger present. It holds master keys under agreements with two lock systems, Travel Sentry and Safe Skies. Locks carrying the red diamond (Travel Sentry) or red torch (Safe Skies) mark can be opened and relocked by officers. Locks without them may be cut off. Calling a lock "TSA approved" is common shorthand for this.

What the LED does

The FAQ says the LED flashes when you hold the button during setup. It is not described as a battery or status light, so rely on Find My for battery warnings rather than the LED.

Find My for luggage

The tracker sends a secure Bluetooth signal. When an iPhone, iPad or Mac passes within range, it reports the location to Apple, encrypted, and you see it on the Find My map. Airports, hotels and planes are full of Apple devices, so luggage trackers on this network usually update often during a trip.

The cable shackle

Most hard-shackle padlocks will not fit through small suitcase zip pulls. A thin, flexible steel cable does, and it bends around backpack loops and duffel handles. The trade-off is strength: a cable is easier to cut than a thick hardened shackle. For luggage, where the main job is keeping zips closed, a cable is the practical choice.

Setup without an app

There is no KeySmart app. You hold the button until the LED flashes and add the lock in Find My, which is built into iPhones and iPads. The lock then shows in your Items list next to any AirTags, with its own name and emoji.

Battery and power

The tracker uses a CR1632 coin cell, which you replace yourself. The page does not state battery life. Small trackers on coin cells commonly last many months to about a year, depending on use. The lock mechanism needs no power, so a dead battery only stops tracking.

Why a lock on the outside

A tracker on the outside of a bag is easy to see. That has two sides: a casual thief may be deterred by an obvious lock, but a determined one can cut it off and throw it away. Many travellers like the lock for keeping zips closed during handling and for deterring opportunistic theft, and see tracking as help with airline mishandling rather than crime.

How often locations update

Find My locations update when an Apple device passes close enough to hear the tracker. In busy terminals, updates can come every few minutes. In a quiet storage room or the hold of a parked plane, they may stop for hours. The map shows when the location was last seen, which matters when you read it.

Precision Finding

AirTags support Precision Finding, which uses ultra-wideband radio on recent iPhones to point an arrow at the tag from a few metres away. Most third-party Find My accessories, including card and lock trackers, do not. With SmartLock, you rely on the map and the sound to find it close by.

Who it's for

SmartLock suits iPhone owners who check luggage and want to know whether a bag is on the plane, at the carousel or still at the transfer airport. It suits travellers who want a lock and a tracker without carrying two separate items, and backpackers who lock zips. It does not suit Android users, anyone expecting real theft protection, or people who already have an AirTag and a TSA lock they like.

• iPhone owners who check bags when they fly
• Travellers who want a lock and a tracker without carrying two items
• Backpackers who lock zips in hostels and trains

Why SmartLock appeals

Lost and delayed bags are one of the most stressful parts of flying, and airline tracking systems often say little until a bag is formally missing. Many travellers now drop an AirTag into their case. SmartLock merges that habit with the lock most people already buy, which saves money and one more thing to remember.

Travellers with connecting flights

Bags are most often delayed at connections, especially tight ones or those between different airlines. A tracker tells you, while you are still in the transfer airport, whether your bag is there too. That can help you decide whether to report it before your final flight.

Frequent flyers who check bags

On connecting flights, knowing whether your bag made the transfer lets you report it before you even reach baggage claim. Customers quoted on the page describe exactly that: seeing that a bag missed a connection. It does not speed up the airline's return, but it gives you facts to give the desk.

Backpackers and hostel travellers

A cable lock on a backpack's zips deters casual opening on trains, buses and in dorms. The tracker adds a way to see where the pack is if it goes missing. A cable lock can be cut with pliers, so keep valuables on your person.

Road trippers and train travellers

Bags stored in a train's luggage rack or a coach's hold are out of sight for hours. A lock keeps them closed, and Find My can show whether the bag got off at the right station. On trains, other passengers' phones usually keep updates coming.

Hotel stays

Leaving a bag with a hotel concierge or in a luggage room is routine. A lock on the zips and a tracker inside it offer small reassurance, especially in busy hotels with crowded storage rooms.

Families travelling together

A family checking several bags can fit one lock to each and share the items in Find My, so everyone can see them. The seven-pack is designed for this, though most families need two to four.

Older travellers

Older travellers sometimes find small dials and phone apps fiddly. A family member can set up the lock and share it in Find My, so they can keep an eye on the bag too. Check the dials are easy enough to read before the trip; one reviewer on the page wished for clearer alignment marks.

Business travellers

Business travellers who carry on most of the time may still check bags on long trips. A lock with a tracker saves hunting for an AirTag holder when packing quickly.

Cruise passengers

Cruise lines collect luggage at the terminal and deliver it to cabins hours later. A tracker shows whether bags are on board, and a lock keeps zips closed during handling. Ships are full of Apple devices, so updates are likely once the bag is aboard.

Students travelling home

Students flying home with large bags, often on cheaper fares with connections, are a group that benefits from knowing where a bag is. At about $30, SmartLock is an affordable gift for a student with an iPhone.

People who travel with gear

Photographers, musicians and sports travellers check expensive cases. A tracker helps if a case is misrouted, but insurance and carry-on rules matter more for valuable equipment.

Who should skip it

Skip SmartLock if you use Android. Skip it if you want to protect valuables from theft, since TSA locks open with master keys that are widely available and cable shackles can be cut. Skip it if you already own a good TSA lock and an AirTag. And skip it if you would rather have a rechargeable tracker than a coin cell.

• Android users
• Anyone expecting a TSA lock to stop a determined thief
• Travellers who already own an AirTag and a good TSA lock
• People who want a rechargeable tracker

Is SmartLock really the only TSA lock that tracks your bag?

No. The page headline calls it "the only TSA lock that also securely tracks your bag" and "the world's first TSA-approved lock with built-in Apple tracking". On 4 October 2026, retailers listed several similar locks: Ruggard's Traklock Find My, Boompods' Tracker Lock, Scapade's AirLock and Promate's TagLock all combine a TSA lock with Apple Find My. Whether KeySmart was first is unclear; it is certainly not the only one.

Why the claim matters

"The only" and "the world's first" are strong claims that can push buyers to decide quickly. Knowing that alternatives exist lets you compare features such as rechargeable batteries and water ratings. In our view, SmartLock is competitive anyway, so the exaggeration is unnecessary.

What rival locks offer

Ruggard's Traklock, sold by B&H, is a three-dial Travel Sentry lock with Find My and an IP65 rating. Boompods' Tracker Lock is Travel Sentry approved, rechargeable by USB-C and rated IPX6. Scapade's AirLock is described as rechargeable by USB-C, with about two months per charge. Promate's TagLock adds Find My to a TSA lock. Prices and availability vary by country.

What this means for you: compare these on battery type, water resistance and price before choosing.

"Securely tracks your bag"

Find My tracking is secure in the sense that location reports are encrypted and only you can see them. It does not secure the bag itself. A thief who notices the lock can cut the cable and leave it behind, which is one reason some travellers prefer a tracker hidden inside the case.

"100% TSA Approved"

The lock carries the Travel Sentry mark, which TSA accepts. TSA does not test or approve individual brands. In practice, the result is the same: officers can open it without cutting it.

"Virtually Unbreakable"

The page says the alloy cable and rugged body survive careless baggage handling. Cable shackles are flexible and resist snapping, but they are not hard to cut with ordinary cutters. "Virtually unbreakable" refers to rough handling, not to theft.

"Physical Lock Works Even If Battery Dies"

True and useful. The combination mechanism is mechanical. Only tracking stops when the battery runs out.

"Plays A Loud Sound"

The lock has a small speaker that Find My can trigger. The page does not give a volume. Carousel areas are noisy, so the sound helps most when you are close to the bag.

"Discreet Design That Won't Tip Off Thieves"

The page claims a discreet design. The photos show a small black lock that looks like an ordinary TSA lock, with only a round button hinting at the tracker. That helps, though anyone familiar with tracker locks may recognise it, and the lock itself is visible on the outside of the bag.

"Real-Time Apple Tracking"

Find My is not continuous, real-time tracking like a GPS tracker with a SIM card. It updates when Apple devices pass near it. In practice that is often frequent at airports, but "real-time" overstates it.

"Prevents Expensive Losses"

A tracker cannot prevent a loss; it helps you locate a bag after something goes wrong. It may shorten the time a bag is missing if you can tell the airline exactly where it is. Airline compensation rules are separate and depend on your route and ticket.

TSA master keys

Security researchers showed in 2015 that photos of TSA master keys could be used to make working copies. Since then, copies have circulated among hobbyists. Any TSA lock, including SmartLock, should be treated as a deterrent against casual opening, not protection for valuables.

What to do: carry valuables, medicines and electronics in your hand luggage.

How much does SmartLock cost, and is it good value?

On 4 October 2026, one SmartLock cost $29.99 plus shipping on the offer page, three cost $65.98, five cost $98.97 and seven cost $131.96, with free shipping on multi-packs and the five-pack preselected. That is roughly the price of one Apple AirTag at $29, without a holder, plus a TSA lock that often costs $10 to $20. As a combined item, SmartLock is fair value.

• 

  SmartLock on a backpack zip

• 

  Sharing the lock's location in Find My

SmartLock price and bundles

The page shows crossed-out prices based on $32.99 per lock, a small reference mark-up.

Shipping on a single lock

The single lock adds shipping at checkout, while multi-packs ship free. If shipping is several dollars, the three-pack at about $22 per lock may be better value, especially if a partner or family member also travels.

Comparing with an AirTag and a lock

An AirTag costs $29 on its own, or $99 for four, according to Apple's pricing, and needs a case or holder to attach to a bag. A basic TSA combination lock costs $10 to $20. Buying both costs $40 or more for one bag, against $29.99 for SmartLock. For families, the per-lock price falls below $22 in multi-packs.

Battery costs

A CR1632 coin cell is less common than the CR2032 used by AirTags, but still widely sold online and in larger stores. Keep a spare in your travel kit if you rely on tracking.

What a lost bag costs you

A delayed bag can mean buying clothes and toiletries on arrival, and a lost one means a claim that can take weeks. Against that, $30 for a lock that also tells you where the bag is feels modest. It will not stop delays, but it can make them less stressful.

Warranty

The FAQ lists a 2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and hardware malfunctions. Keep your order email as proof of purchase.

Multi-pack logic

Seven locks for $131.96 is under $19 each. That suits a family with several checked bags, or someone who wants locks on a suitcase, a duffel and a backpack. Most solo travellers need one or two. The preselected five-pack is more than most people need.

Value against rivals

Rival Find My locks are sold at a range of prices. Some rechargeable models cost more, and some are only sold in certain countries. At $29.99, SmartLock is competitive, especially in multi-packs.

Who sells it

Returns on the offer page go to KeySmart at 860 Bonnie Lane, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007, with order support at Orders@MyKeySmart.com. KeySmart also makes the SmartCard wallet tracker and the original key organiser covered in our KeySmart review.

Is SmartLock better than an AirTag or a rechargeable tracker lock?

It is better value than an AirTag plus a separate lock, and simpler to pack. An AirTag hidden inside the bag is harder for a thief to find and adds Precision Finding on recent iPhones. Rechargeable tracker locks such as Boompods' avoid coin cells but need charging between trips. Choose SmartLock if you want one item on the outside of the bag that locks and tracks.

SmartLock vs an AirTag

The main argument for an AirTag is concealment: inside a lining pocket, it keeps reporting even if someone cuts the lock off. SmartLock's argument is convenience and cost. Some travellers use both: SmartLock on the outside and an AirTag inside.

SmartLock vs rechargeable tracker locks

Rechargeable locks avoid buying coin cells, but you must remember to charge them before each trip. A coin cell lasting months suits occasional travellers better. Water resistance also varies: some rivals state IP ratings, while the SmartLock page does not.

SmartLock vs a basic TSA lock alone

A basic Travel Sentry lock costs less and does the locking job just as well. If you never worry about where your bag is, it is all you need. SmartLock's extra cost buys tracking, which matters most on connections and long trips.

SmartLock vs a wallet tracker

For your wallet or passport, a flat tracker card suits better than a lock. Our SmartCard review covers KeySmart's card-shaped Find My tracker.

SmartLock vs a hidden AirTag plus a basic lock

This setup costs a little more but gives the best of both: a hidden tracker that keeps reporting if the lock is cut off, and a lock to keep zips closed. Frequent flyers who carry valuable kit often choose this. For most leisure travellers, SmartLock alone is enough.

SmartLock vs packing smarter

The most reliable way to avoid lost luggage is not to check it. Compression bags and cubes help fit more into a carry-on; our Aerless vacuum kit review looks at one option and its trade-offs.

SmartLock vs a GPS luggage tracker

GPS trackers with their own SIM card report position anywhere with a mobile signal, without relying on nearby phones. They need charging, a subscription and are heavier. Some airlines restrict devices that transmit in flight. For most travellers, Find My is enough.

SmartLock vs airline bag tracking

Many airlines now show bag scans in their apps. Those are useful but update only when the bag is scanned. A Find My tracker adds an independent view, which is especially helpful on connections between airlines.

When something else wins

Android users should choose a Tile or a Google Find Hub tracker. Travellers worried about theft should hide a tracker inside the bag. People who never check bags may not need either.

Is SmartLock legit, and what should you check before buying?

SmartLock is a genuine KeySmart product that works with Apple's Find My network, and returns go to KeySmart in Illinois. Check that you use an iPhone, change the preselected five-pack if you need fewer locks, and know the real return terms: the FAQ says "full refund, no questions asked", but the policy says you pay return postage, shipping is not refunded, and you must email before sending anything back.

The return policy in full

According to the return policy, returns must be made within 30 days of receipt, items must be undamaged, and you must email Orders@MyKeySmart.com before returning anything to the Elk Grove Village address. Return shipping is at your expense, and only the product value is refunded. Items sent back unannounced are not refunded. Unfulfilled orders can be cancelled within 12 hours.

What to do: email before posting the lock back, and use a tracked service.

Warranty claims

For a fault within two years, contact Orders@MyKeySmart.com with your order number and a description or photos of the problem. Keep the lock until support tells you what to do, and do not send it back unannounced.

Unlinking before returning

The policy mentions a restocking fee for some KeySmart trackers returned after being linked to a phone. It names KeySmart Max and Pro, not SmartLock. If you might return the lock, ask support before pairing it, and remove it from Find My before sending it back.

Check your phone's settings

Find My needs Bluetooth and location services on, and an up-to-date iOS version, to add third-party items. If you share an Apple ID with family, decide whose account owns the lock, because only the owner can turn on Lost Mode.

Set and record your combination

A forgotten combination on a cable lock means cutting it off. Write the code somewhere safe that is not on the bag.

Using it abroad

Find My works wherever Apple devices are common, which covers most airports worldwide. Travel Sentry locks are recognised by security services in many countries beyond the US, according to Travel Sentry, though rules vary and some screeners may still cut locks.

Privacy considerations

Only you, and anyone you share the item with, can see the lock's location. Apple says location reports are end-to-end encrypted. If you sell or give away the lock, remove it from your account first.

Airline and country rules

Airlines generally allow small Bluetooth trackers with coin cells in checked bags. Some countries' security services outside the US do not use TSA master keys and may still cut locks. Check the rules for your route.

Lithium coin cells and flights

Coin cells inside small devices are generally allowed in checked and carry-on bags. Spare lithium batteries usually belong in carry-on. Check your airline's rules for spares.

Keep packaging until tested

Pair the lock, test the combination and play a sound at home soon after it arrives, so any problem shows within the 30-day return window.

How to buy SmartLock the smart way

1. Confirm you and anyone sharing the bag use iPhones.
2. Count how many bags you check and choose that number of locks.
3. Open the SmartLock order page (opens KeySmart in a new tab) and change the preselected bundle if needed.
4. Note the shipping charge on a single lock, and that multi-packs ship free.
5. Add each lock to Find My and test the sound before your trip.
6. Keep your order email for the warranty and returns.

How did we score SmartLock?

SmartLock scores 5.3 out of 10: claim accuracy 0.9, build durability 1.2, price competitiveness 1.2, usability 1.4 and owner satisfaction 0.6, each out of 2. It is a useful combination of a Travel Sentry lock and Apple tracking at a fair price, with a battery that does not affect the lock and a 2-year warranty. Points come off for the false "only" claim, Apple-only support, the inherent weakness of TSA locks and the return terms.

What owners say

We found no independent rating source for SmartLock on 4 October 2026, and Trustpilot had no page for KeySmart. Reviews on the offer page praise easy setup and seeing bags during connections; one suggests the dials need clearer alignment marks. Reviews collected by the seller are not counted in our score.

How the score breaks down

We use the five criteria on our how we test page, each out of 2.

What we did, and did not, do

Nobody on our team has used SmartLock. We read the offer page, FAQ and return policy on 4 October 2026, looked for independent ratings, and read retail listings for rival Find My TSA locks and background on TSA lock systems. Our travel hub lists the other travel products we have reviewed.

How to use SmartLock on your next trip

Set your combination, add SmartLock to Find My with a clear name, thread the cable through both zip pulls and scramble the dials. Turn on notifications, check the bag's location after each connection, and play a sound to spot it on the carousel. Replace the coin cell when Find My warns of low battery, and keep valuables in your carry-on.

1. Set the code. Follow the leaflet and write the code down safely.
2. Pair it. Hold the button until the LED flashes, then add it in Find My.
3. Name it. "Blue suitcase" helps if you track several bags.
4. Lock both zips. Thread the cable through both pulls.
5. Scramble the dials. Spin them away from your code.
6. Check after landing. Look at Find My before reaching baggage claim.
7. Play a sound. Use it when bags start arriving on the belt.

Before you leave home

Open Find My and check the lock is showing and the battery is not low. Take a photo of your bag with the lock attached, which helps if you need to describe it to the airline.

At the airport

After check-in, glance at Find My once you are airside. If the bag shows at the check-in area long after it should have moved, tell the airline before you board. At transfers, check again.

Setting the combination

Combination locks usually have a reset button or position. Set the code with the lock open, test it several times before locking it to a bag, and avoid obvious codes such as 000 or 123.

Checking the lock after inspection

If TSA opens your bag, they relock Travel Sentry locks and usually leave a notice inside. When you collect the bag, check the lock is closed and the dials still open with your code.

If the airline loses your bag

Report it at the airline desk straight away, and show the staff the bag's location on Find My. Turn on Lost Mode so you are notified when it is detected. Airlines decide how they retrieve bags, but a precise location helps the conversation.

Reading the map correctly

Find My shows when the location was last updated, such as "5 minutes ago" or "3 hours ago". An old timestamp means no Apple device has passed recently, not that the bag has stopped moving. Do not draw conclusions from a single stale location.

Naming several locks

If you fit locks to several bags, name each after the bag's colour or owner, such as "Red case" or "Sam's duffel". Clear names make it quick to see which bag is missing.

Sharing with travel companions

Share the lock in Find My with your travelling partner, so either of you can check it. Sharing needs both to use Apple devices.

At baggage claim

Stand near the start of the belt, and when bags begin to appear, play a sound only if you cannot see your case. The map's accuracy at short range is limited, so the sound and your eyes do most of the work.

When the bag arrives damaged

If the lock or bag is damaged in handling, photograph it at the airport and file a damage report with the airline before leaving. Airline liability covers baggage damage in many cases; the lock's warranty covers manufacturing faults, not handling damage.

Changing the battery

When Find My shows a low battery, open the cover on the back, swap in a new CR1632 cell and close it firmly. Test the sound afterwards.

Using it after the trip

Between trips, the lock can secure a gym bag, a locker or a storage box at home, and still shows in Find My. Remember that a thin cable lock is a deterrent, not a security device for valuables.

Unwanted-tracker alerts

If someone else carries your bag, such as a family member, their iPhone may warn them that an unknown item is travelling with them. Sharing the item with them stops these alerts.

Storing between trips

Keep the lock in your travel kit with a spare coin cell and a note of the combination in a safe place. If you will not travel for many months, consider removing the battery to stop slow drain, then refit it before the next trip.

If the dials stick

Grit and dust can make dials stiff. A dry brush and a puff of air usually free them. Avoid oil, which attracts dirt.

Other questions about luggage trackers

Do luggage trackers work in the plane's hold? Updates usually pause in flight and resume near Apple devices on the ground.

Can I use SmartLock on a backpack? Yes. The cable fits most zip pulls and loops.

Will TSA remove the lock? Officers can open Travel Sentry locks with a master key and relock them.

Can I take spare coin cells on a plane? Small lithium coin cells are generally allowed, ideally in carry-on luggage.

More questions about SmartLock

Can I reset the combination? Combination luggage locks normally let you set a new code with the lock open, following the leaflet. Do it at home, not at the airport.

Is SmartLock waterproof? The page does not give a water rating. Rain on the carousel should be fine for most locks, but avoid submerging it.

Does SmartLock show on an Apple Watch? Find My items can appear in the Find Items app on Apple Watch, so you can check it there.

Can I use it on a bike or locker? You can, but a thin cable lock is weak against cutting. Use a proper bike lock for bikes.

Frequently asked questions