Keeping track of your belongings, such as baggage, keys, or anything else you don’t want to misplace, is really simple using AirTags. At $30 each, they’re also reasonably priced. These little trackers may save you a great deal of time, money, and frustration if you misplace anything crucial. AirTags’ convenience has a drawback in that criminals may easily track you down thanks to them.
People using Android phones were originally kept in the dark, even though iPhones have a built-in mechanism to alert users if they are being monitored by an unknown AirTag. Fortunately, Apple addressed issue by releasing the Tracker Detect app on the Google Play Store.
Google has now introduced its own Find My Device network, which allows for the identification of unknown trackers, but some users may feel more at ease with both applications operating simultaneously. Identifying an unknown AirTag that has been monitoring you and what you can do about it are covered below.
See Apple’s Find My vs. Google’s Find My Device network and 8 settings you should adjust after upgrading iOS 18.2 for further information.
To find AirTags, use Android’s Tracker Detect app.
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With the help of the free Tracker Detect software from the Google Play Store, you can use your Android device to look for and follow objects that are at least fifteen minutes away from their owner and that are compatible with Apple’s Find My network, like AirTags. You don’t need an Apple ID account.
An enlarged image of a screenshot of Apple’s Tracker Detect app
Simply press Scan to look for AirTags in the area.
Aguilar Nelson/CNET
To search for nearby goods, download Tracker Detect, switch on Bluetooth, launch the app, accept the terms and conditions, and then hit the blue Scan button. You will be asked to grant the app access to Bluetooth if this is your first time using Tracker Detect. This is necessary for the app to locate any AirTags.
If an AirTag is detected within a minute of your Android phone scanning, it will show up as “Unknown Airtag.” Since the tracker needs to be apart from its owner for at least 15 minutes in order to appear, you may run the scan again if nothing comes up.
If I’m being followed by an AirTag, what should I do?
To make it easier for you to locate the actual tracker, Tracker Detect will let you play a sound from an AirTag if it detects one that has been following you for at least ten minutes.
It is up to you to decide what to do if you do locate the AirTag. You can obtain further information on how to return an AirTag by tapping and holding your NFC-capable Android device to the white side of the tag if it’s accidentally with you, meaning it’s not being used to track you, and “Lost Mode” is activated.
You may, however, read the serial number by touching the AirTag with your phone if it is being used to monitor you. This might be helpful if you are thinking about calling the police and need identification to verify who is following you. To determine the serial number, you may alternatively disassemble the rear cover and examine the AirTag within.
CR2032 battery with Apple AirTag
By taking out the CR2032 battery, the AirTag may be turned off.
CNET/Patrick Holland
How can I turn off an AirTag?
To deactivate the AirTag and prevent it from monitoring you, Tracker Detect will provide you a succinct overview of how to do so:
Apply pressure to the AirTag’s stainless steel rear cover.
To stop it, turn the cover counterclockwise.
The lid will come off if you let go of your fingers.
Take out the button cell’s battery.
Be advised that removing the battery will alert the owner that the AirTag has been turned off.
Unfortunately, Tracker Detect is missing several of the iPhone’s built-in functionality, most notably automated background checks. You have to actively search for AirTags every time using Tracker Detect, which might be annoying if you’re often concerned about being followed. Again, however, it’s a little less of a concern now that Android and Google have the capacity to accomplish this via their Find My Device networks.
Check out how to get iOS 18.2 today for more.