Summary Points
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AirTag Alerts: Apple’s AirTag includes safeguards against unwanted tracking, alerting users if a tracker not linked to their Apple account is nearby by sending notifications or emitting sounds.
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iPhone Settings: To ensure tracking alerts are functional, iPhone users should verify they are on iOS 17.5 or later, have Location Services and Notifications enabled, and check their tracking settings in Privacy & Security.
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Locating Unknown Trackers: If alerted to an unknown AirTag, users can utilize the Find My app to play a sound, use Precision Finding for guidance, or manually inspect belongings if necessary.
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Cross-Platform Alerts: Both iOS and Android users can receive tracking alerts, with Android users able to manually scan for unknown trackers using the free Tracker Detect app from Apple.
How to Know if an AirTag is Tracking You
Apple’s AirTag is a handy tool for keeping track of items like keys and bags. However, its discreet design raises valid concerns about unwanted tracking. Thankfully, Apple prioritizes user safety and implements features to mitigate risks.
First, AirTags connect through Apple’s Find My network, using Bluetooth signals to relay their location. If an AirTag that isn’t yours travels with you, your device may send a notification or the tracker might emit a sound. This feature discourages unauthorized tracking.
If you’re an iPhone user, tracking notifications automatically activate. To ensure you receive alerts, check the following settings:
- Your device should run iOS 17.5 or later.
- Location Services need to be turned on.
- Notifications for Tracking Alerts must be allowed.
- Airplane Mode should be off.
To inspect these, open Settings, then navigate to Privacy & Security, followed by Location Services and Notifications. Enabling “Significant Locations” helps your device recognize when an unfamiliar tracker is near you.
When your iPhone detects a foreign tracker, it may display notifications like “AirTag Found Moving With You.” Tapping the alert opens the Find My app, revealing a map of the tracker’s locations nearby.
If you hear an unfamiliar chirping or beeping, investigate your belongings. This sound indicates an AirTag separated from its owner is nearby.
Should you find an unknown AirTag, you can learn more by placing your NFC-capable smartphone near it. Doing so reveals the AirTag’s serial number and, potentially, the owner’s contact information if it’s lost.
If you determine that an AirTag is tracking you, you can disable it by following the on-screen instructions in the Find My app. This usually involves removing the battery to stop location updates.
Android users can also receive alerts for AirTags. Devices running Android 6.0 or later support this feature automatically. Apple offers the Tracker Detect app on the Google Play Store, enabling Android users to scan for nearby AirTags that may be following them.
Understanding these alerts and how to respond helps you stay aware and empowered. While technology advances, Apple continues to refine its safety measures, placing user security as a priority. Armed with this information, you can confidently navigate the world of smart technology.
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