Conveniently located – but no theft protection
23/4/2026
Translation: Megan Cornish
Direction: Davide Arizzoli
Cutter: Davide Arizzoli
I fitted my bike with a smart bell. It has a tracker in it, so I can easily find my bike if it gets lost. However, the MiBell doesn’t offer any protection against theft.
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I have to give the manufacturer credit for one thing: they don’t make false promises. Canadian company Mili describes itself as an item finder brand, meaning it helps you find lost things – not things that have been stolen.
If you’re expecting this article to cover theft prevention, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. Trackers such as the one Mili uses in this bell won’t stop criminals from stealing your expensive bike.
I contacted the cantonal police in Basel-Stadt and Zurich to ask about the role of trackers in recovering stolen bikes. The Zurich cantonal police said they don’t keep statistics on this. They only have a general clearance rate – a sobering 4.2 per cent for bicycle thefts. In Basel, however, it seems they’ve noticed an increase in trackers being installed.
We’re seeing an increase in reports from victims who say their bike’s equipped with a device like this. If the tracker works and provides usable data, it can support the investigation and help to recover the bicycle.
But the most important thing is knowing your bike’s frame number. It’s the «only feature that can clearly identify a bike and assign it to its rightful owner by running a check». So, a built-in tracker alone isn’t enough to identity your possession.
The police also advises against trying to track down a stolen bike on your own. And especially trying to steal it back if you find it. According to the Basel-Stadt cantonal police, reporting the theft to the police is «absolutely essential». They added: «Taking the bicycle without authorisation can lead to complications». This is especially true if and as long as the frame number is flagged as stolen in the system.
The Zurich cantonal police says you can usually retrieve your bike if it’s in a public place and unlocked. The only question is how likely that is… In other cases, «taking it back on your own is legally problematic». Contacting the police is the right course of action.
Tracking with Apple and Android devices
So, the legal stuff’s been cleared up. But how well does the MiTag actually help you find your bike in an emergency? In my test, it was very accurate in urban areas, less accurate in the suburbs where I live and quite inaccurate on paths through fields and meadows. That’s not surprising, since my tracker works like an Apple AirTag. Some trackers also work with Find My Device on Android. And some even work with both.
The MiTag in the MiBell uses a chip authorised by Google or Apple to communicate via Bluetooth with nearby Android or Apple devices and upload location data to the cloud. This means that the more similar devices are nearby, the more accurate the location tracking.
If you’re within 150 metres of the MiTag, it can be located via Bluetooth. A built-in speaker in the tag helps with a precise location by emitting an audible signal.
Importantly, manufacturer Mili doesn’t have its own app that you need to install and register for. It relies solely on the pre-installed Apple and Android apps.
Don’t activate lost mode!
Back to the bike with the MiTag in the bell. Say your bike gets stolen. You can track it using the relevant Find My app. One thing you shouldn’t do is mark the MiTag as «lost» in the app. This would cause the tracker to start beeping after 72 hours, which would tell the thief they’re being tracked – and you don’t want them to realise you’re tracking them.
Design and installation
I’m under no illusions: a professional thief would likely scan a stolen bike for embedded tags first and remove any they find. My MiTag in the bike bell is well hidden, admittedly. At first glance, the MiBell looks quite inconspicuous. It also sounds nice, by the way.
The MiBell is very easy to install, and a small screwdriver’s even provided. The mounting hardware for different handlebar thicknesses is included in the set. The MiTag’s powered by a CR2032 battery, which lasts eight to 12 months.
You don’t need to worry if you’re out and about in the rain. The IP67 protection rating means the bell’s protected against water getting in, even if you’re submerged in a metre of water for up to 30 minutes.
So, you can even track your stolen bike if a thief’s pushing it through the Limmat or the Rhine.
In a nutshell
Tracking – simple and affordable
The MiBell’s an affordable way to fit your bike with a tracker. The bell and tag together cost less than a single Apple AirTag. Because it uses the same technology, the tracking’s just as good despite the lower price. Installing the MiBell’s quick, and it sounds good. The mount’s made of plastic, which slightly detracts from the otherwise positive overall impression. The fact that trackers like these don’t generally offer much protection against bike theft’s a separate issue. I’m not deducting a star for that. Besides, people sometimes forget where they parked their bike – and the tracker makes it easier to find.
Pro
- Good tracking thanks to Google and Apple technology
- Easy to install
- Nice sound
- Affordable bell and tracker combo
Contra
- All-plastic mount
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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