A few weeks ago, the concept of a charger with tracking capabilities would have seemed highly improbable. However, recent circumstances, specifically the unfortunate misplacement ( I forgot it ) of my £100 Apple MagSafe battery pack in a New York hotel room, have compelled me to reconsider this notion.
Last week, Twelve South introduced the latest version of its PlugBug wall charger, which they claim is the “world’s first power supply with Apple Find My.” As a previous enthusiast of the original PlugBug’s sleek, space-saving design, I promptly reached out to Twelve South to request a hands-on of the new Find My model, having personally experienced the inconvenience of misplacing a charger.
Features at a glance.
- 2-Port 50W or4-Port 120W Compact USB-C Charger.
- Built-in Apple Find My technology to locate the charger if lost
- GaN-powered, ultra slim design for travel
- Smart power delivery fast charges multiple devices at once.
The new Twelve South PlugBug with Find My comes in two flavors, a 2-port 50W variant and the 120W model with 4 ports. Outside of that and the actual size, they are otherwise the same, my review unit being the 50W model.
2-port 50W PlugBug USB-C Wall Charger with Find My £69.99
4-port 120W PlugBug USB-C Wall Charger with Find My £119.99
Does the charger need to be plugged into an outlet for the Find My features to work though?
The answer is no. According to Twelve South, it uses the same replaceable button battery as the Apple AirTag, enabling the Find My tracking to operate independently of the AC charger. Twelve South states the battery “should last about a year,” and you can check its charge status in the Find My app, similar to other tracking cards recently featured.
Alright, let’s dive into the charging. The new USB-C wall charger with Find My is available in two configurations: a 2-port version with 50W and a 4-port model delivering a combined 120W of power. Both models sport a GaN-powered, ultra-slim design, which appears slightly thicker than the previous single-port model but still maintains a relatively thin, flat, upright form factor.
This charger is USB-C only, with no USB-A ports in sight. It boasts Power Delivery technology, capable of detecting connected devices and dynamically providing the appropriate amount of power. Unlike some models on the market where certain ports are dedicated to higher output, PlugBug will automatically adjust based on the device’s requirements and the charger’s maximum capabilities. Here’s how it works:
In many ways, the new PlugBug is just another charger. It’s a solid one, but still just a charger. However, it does have some key advantages, particularly the onboard Apple Find My tracking integration.
First, let’s dive into the physical design and charging capabilities. The design remains consistent with the previous-generation PlugBug, featuring a more vertical and slender design that allows the charger to sit snugly against the outlet, whether on the wall or flat. I appreciate this form factor for vertical wall outlets, as it makes it easier to tuck behind furniture.
This shape also works well for flat outlets, like those found on tabletops in airports, though it requires a bit more space than your average small block charger. You’ll need to use the bottom outlet in a standard dual-outlet wall receptacle to avoid blocking the top one, and make sure there’s enough clearance on flat setups to accommodate the bottom half of the PlugBug.
Around the back of the device, you’ll find a small compartment door to house the unit’s battery. This isn’t some kind of wall charger-meets-power bank though, this is where the small replaceable battery resides – it is, according to Twelve South, the same kind of thing that powers an AirTag and lasts for about a year. This battery is solely just for the Find My action to work, as the PlugBug does not need to be plugged into outlet for the item tracking to work because that would be terrible. You need to replace this battery, and it might be nice if the charger featured wireless charging for the internal battery instead, but it’s not an entirely inelegant solution if you ask me.
Find My Integration.
The Find My integration worked smoothly and immediately. Simply hold the button on the back of the unit for a few seconds with the Find My app open, and it connects in seconds. Name the PlugBug, choose an icon, and you’re set. The app can make the charger emit a chime for easy locating and set up usual notifications like “notify me when left behind” at selected locations. It worked flawlessly in my testing. Though it’s just a charger and costs more than others with similar features and wattage, it’s the first to implement Find My according to Twelve South. You’ll appreciate the investment when you realise you left your charger behind before leaving the hotel or when frantically searching for it at home.
In my testing the PlugBug was able to charge my Samsung GalaxyBook Pro absolutely fine without the annoying ” Use a faster Charger” pop up and when I plugged in either my Samsung S24 Ultra of Tab S9 Ultra I was presented with “superfast Charging 2.0” message and the PlugBug coped with both of these plugged in simultaneously with not problems at all and charged them up in fairly fast order. I appreciated not needing to check which port to use with the PlugBug 50, as it automatically provided the most power to either port. It reliably charged various devices without any issues.
Should you but it ?
Ultimately, it’s just a charger, and it’s priced higher than some others with similar output options, features, and wattage. However, according to Twelve South, it’s the first to implement Find My functionality, making it a worthwhile investment. ( I wished the Apple Magsafe Battery Pack had it ) You’ll appreciate it when you realise you’ve left your charger in a hotel room or are rushing out the door, frantically searching for it.