Although Samsung flagship phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra provide an alert when the S Pen is left behind outside its designated slot, this feature remains merely a reminder and not an actual tracking tool. Users often face confusion regarding the tracking capabilities of various Samsung pen versions, especially given the diversity of technologies used in them.
The S Pen Pro is the only exception
Samsung confirms that the S Pen Pro is the only model that officially supports tracking via the SmartThings Find network. This pen is distinguished by being an independent device sold separately, containing a rechargeable battery, a USB-C port, and a dedicated pairing button. This pen is compatible with a wide range of devices, including the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 20 series, the S21 Ultra series up to the S26 Ultra, as well as the Z Fold 4 and even Z Fold 6 phones.
Why do integrated pens not support tracking?
Many believe that the presence of Bluetooth technology in pens integrated into phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra means they can be tracked, but the technical reality is different. The Bluetooth in those pens is intended for tasks such as controlling the camera or applications (Air Actions) and does not include the communication protocols necessary for the SmartThings Find network. Furthermore, Samsung removed Bluetooth from the integrated pens in the S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra models, confirming that tracking is not a primary function for these pens.
How to set up and track the S Pen Pro
To benefit from the tracking feature, users must set up the pen in advance through the following steps:
- Charge the pen and activate pairing mode by pressing the connection button for three seconds.
- Enable the Offline finding option within the SmartThings app settings.
- In case the pen is lost, users can open the app, locate the pen on the map, or use the Blink light feature, which flashes the pen's indicator to make it easier to find in nearby locations.
This feature relies on a network of surrounding Samsung devices that detect the pen via Bluetooth and send its location anonymously to Samsung servers, making it an effective tool for finding a lost pen as long as it remains charged.