Apple’s AirTag is designed to help people keep track of personal items like keys, bags, and luggage. But since AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers are small and discreet, concerns about unwanted tracking are understandable. Apple has spent years building safeguards into the AirTags and Find My networks to reduce the risk of misuse and alert people if a tracker they don’t have appears to be walking around with them.
If you’re concerned about whether an AirTag or similar tracker is following you, here’s how Apple’s unwanted tracking alerts work, what notifications to look for, and what you can do on both iPhone and Android.
How do AirTag tracking alerts work
AirTags, compatible Find My network accessories, and some AirPods models use Apple’s Find My network, which relies on Bluetooth signals and nearby devices to update their location. To prevent abuse, Apple has designed these products with features that are meant to alert someone if a tracker that is not linked to their Apple account appears to be traveling with them.
If an AirTag or other compatible tracker becomes separated from its owner and is found near you over time, your device may display a notification or the tracker itself may emit a sound. The purpose of these warnings is to discourage someone from secretly tracking another person without their knowledge. Apple has also worked with Google on a cross-platform industry standard, so alerts can appear on both iOS and Android devices, not just iPhones.
How to make sure tracking alerts are enabled on your iPhone
If you use an iPhone or iPad, tracking notifications are on by default, but it’s worth confirming your settings.
To avoid receiving unwanted tracking alerts, make sure that:
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Your device is running iOS 17.5 or later (or iPadOS 17.5 or later). Older versions of iOS 14.5 support basic AirTag alerts, but newer versions add broader compatibility with other trackers.
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Location services are enabled.
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Notification is allowed for tracking alerts.
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Airplane mode is off.
You can open them and check settingsthen navigate Privacy & Security, Location Services and Information. Apple also recommends turning on important place In system services Menu, which helps your device determine when an unknown tracker has accompanied you to places like your home.
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Go settingsTap Privacy & Securitythen choose location services.
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toggle location services But.
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Scroll down and tap system servicestoggle again important place But.
If these settings are disabled, your iPhone may not be able to alert you when an AirTag or similar device is nearby.
What does a tracking alert look like?
If your iPhone detects a tracker that isn’t running with you, you may see a notification like this:
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AirTag detected while traveling with you
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“Product Name” found to be traveling with you
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Unknown accessories detected
Tapping the alert opens the Find My app, which shows a map of the location where the item was detected near you. The map uses dots to indicate locations where your device saw a nearby tracker. This does not mean that the owner was actively watching your location at that time, only that the tracker was detected in close proximity.
In some cases, the alert may have an innocent explanation. For example, you might be borrowing someone else’s keys, bag, or AirPods. If the item belongs to someone in your Family Sharing group, you can temporarily stop alerts for that item by tapping the notification and choosing to turn off alerts for that item for a day or indefinitely.
What to do if you hear noise from AirTag
If an AirTag or compatible tracker has been separated from its owner for a period of time and moved, it may emit a sound on its own. This is another built-in security feature meant to draw attention to the device.
If you hear any unfamiliar chirping or beeping sounds, especially from a bag, jacket pocket or vehicle, it is worth checking your luggage to see if there is an AirTag or similar tracker inside.
How to find an unknown AirTag or tracker
If you receive an alert and you believe the tracker is still with you, the Find My app provides tools to help you locate it.
From the alert, you can choose to play a sound on the device to help you find where it is hidden.
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Tap Continue and then tap play sound.
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Listen to the sound or play it again to give yourself more time to find the item.
If the tracker is an AirTag and you have a compatible iPhone with Ultra Wideband connectivity, you may also see the Find Nearby option, which uses Precision Finding to guide you with distance and direction indicators.
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Tap continue and then tap Search Nearby.
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Follow the onscreen instructions. You may need to move around in the space until your iPhone connects to the unknown AirTag.
Your iPhone will display the distance and direction of the unknown AirTag, so you can use that information to identify where the unknown AirTag is. When the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, you can tap play sound button to listen to it. You can also tap turn on flashlight Button to provide more illumination if necessary.
If neither option is available, or if the tracker cannot be located electronically, check your luggage manually. Look at bags, pockets, jackets and vehicles. If you feel unsafe and can’t find the device, Apple recommends going to a safe public location and contacting local law enforcement.
How to get information about AirTag
If you find an unknown AirTag, you can learn more about it without unlocking it or logging in.
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Hold the top of your iPhone, or any NFC-enabled smartphone, near the white part of the AirTag. A notification should appear.
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Tap the notification to open a webpage with details about the AirTag. This page contains the serial number and last four digits of the phone number associated with the owner’s Apple account.
If the AirTag was marked as lost, the page may also include a message from the owner explaining how to contact them. This can help determine whether the situation is accidental or intentional.
How to disable an AirTag that isn’t yours
If you confirm that an AirTag is tracking you and it’s not yours, you can disable it so it stops sharing its location.
From the Find My Alerts or Notifications page, select Disabling instructions And follow the given steps. For AirTags, this usually involves removing the battery, which immediately stops location updates. Disabling Bluetooth or turning off location services on your phone will not stop the AirTag from reporting its location. The device itself should be disabled.
If you think the tracker was used for malicious purposes, keep the AirTag and document its details before contacting law enforcement. Apple says it can provide information to authorities if legally required.
What Android users need to know
Android devices running Android 6.0 or later can also receive alerts if a compatible Bluetooth tracker, including AirTags, appears to be following you. These alerts are automatically enabled on supported versions of Android.
Android users can manually scan for unknown trackers at any time. Additionally, Apple offers a free Tracker Detect app on the Google Play Store. The app allows Android users to scan AirTag and Find My network accessories within Bluetooth range that are different from their owner. If Tracker Detect finds an AirTag nearby that has been with you for at least 10 minutes, you can play a sound to help you find it.
wrap up
Although no system is perfect, Apple has built several layers of security into the AirTag and Find My networks to reduce the risk of unwanted tracking. With alerts, audible warnings, and cross-platform detection on both iOS and Android, most people will be notified if a tracker they don’t have is walking with them. Knowing what these alerts look like and how to respond can help you stay informed, avoid unnecessary panic, and take appropriate action if something seems wrong.
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