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How do I install, activate, onboard, and recover Kin tags?

Learn how to install, activate and onboard your Kin tags to get them up and running.

Updated today

To set up a Kin tag, complete these steps:

  1. Install the tag on your asset

  2. Activate the tag

  3. Onboard it in Trackunit Manager

You can watch the installation and onboarding video below or follow the step-by-step instructions in this article.
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Installation

You can install a Kin tag using either glue, screws, or zip ties:

  • Glue mounting:

    • Use a single-component MS-Polymer adhesive (windshield-type)

    • Clean the surface using isopropyl alcohol or acetone before mounting

  • Screw mounting:

    • Use pan-head tapping screw BN 13274 Art-Nr.3060133

  • Zip-tie mounting:

    • Use stainless steel or strong nylon zip ties (4.8mm width)

    • Ideal for cables, hand tools, or similar equipment

You can install Kin tags on nearly any asset - including buckets, rammers, vibrator plates, hammers, light towers, pallet trucks, generators, and more.

Note: Avoid placing the Kin tag under or inside metal surfaces. Metal can block the Bluetooth signal.

💡 Tip: For diagrams and detailed instructions on installation, refer to the installation guide provided with the tag or check it on our website.

Activation

Note: It is important that the Kin tag is activated in a well-lit area. Once activated, the Kin tag continues transmitting data even in low-light conditions.

  1. Remove the activation sticker on top of the Kin tag to wake it up.

  2. The green LED blinks for five seconds when the Kin tag activates. Activation may take up to three seconds.

You can now onboard the Kin tag in Trackunit Manager.

Onboarding

To onboard Kin tags, you must have Entire fleet access in your user settings. An account admin can grant this access. Read more about user roles and permissions here
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You can onboard Kin tags in two ways:

  • More than 10 tags

  • Fewer than 10 tags

Onboarding more than 10 tags

Note: To complete the onboarding you need to use both Trackunit Manager and the Trackunit Go app.

Step 1: Adding assets in Trackunit Manager

  1. Log in to Trackunit Manager as Admin or Fleet Admin

  2. Go to the Fleet Inventory app on the left sidebar

  3. Click Add new assets in the top-right corner
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  4. Follow the guided steps for adding new assets.

  5. Your newly added assets appear under the Pending Installation tab. You can remove pending assets by selecting them and clicking Delete in the blue action bar.
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​Step 2: Complete onboarding in Trackunit Go

  1. Open the Trackunit Go mobile app

  2. Go to Settings

  3. Tap Onboard Pending Assets

  4. Select an asset or tap the Scan icon to scan its inventory number (QR code, barcode, or engraved number)

  5. Wait for Trackunit Go to detect the tag, or scan the QR code on the tag and tap Set up

    Note: If a firmware update is available, the app will prompt you to install it. Stay within Bluetooth range until the update is complete. If the connection is lost, you can recover the Kin tag and begin again.

  6. Add an asset image (optional)

  7. The tag is now fully onboarded

💡 Tip: In Trackunit Manager, you can show or hide assets pending installation.
Go to the Assets page, open Filters, and select Telematics Connected:

  • Connected: Assets with a telematics device installed

  • Not Connected: Assets not yet having a telematics device installed (same list as in the Pending Installation tab in the Fleet Inventory app)

Onboarding less than 10 Trackunit Kin tags:

  1. Open the Trackunit Go mobile app

  2. Go to Settings

  3. Tap Onboard a new tag

  4. Enable Bluetooth on your phone and hold it near the tag

    • If the app does not detect the tag, tap Open Camera and scan the QR code on top of the tag

  5. When detected, click Set up

    Note: If a firmware update is available, the app will prompt you to install it. Stay within Bluetooth range until the update is complete. If the connection is lost, you can recover the tag and begin again.

  6. Enter asset details, including:

    • Name

    • Brand

    • Type

    • Model

    • Asset category (Attachment, Equipment, Tool, or Other)

    You can complete asset details later in Trackunit Manager if needed

  7. Add an image of the asset (optional)

  8. Add the asset to groups (optional)

  9. Tap Complete setup

The tag is now onboarded and visible in Trackunit Manager.

💡 Tip: If you are onboarding several Kin tags, tap Set up duplicate at the final stage to reuse the information of the tag you have just onboarded.


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Firmware Recovery

If you were prompted to update the Kin tag firmware, while onboarding a Kin tag and the update failed, you can restart the process:

  1. Open the Trackunit Go app and go to Settings

  2. Tap Firmware Recovery

  3. Select the tag with a failed update

  4. Follow the onboarding steps again

💡 Tip:

Need more help?

Click on the Messenger icon in the lower-left corner to get in touch with Customer Support.

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