How to know if you're being tracked by an AirTag – and what you can do

A step towards the future of augmented reality and a great way to find everyday objects, like your lost keys or the TV remote tucked between the couch cushions. But cybersecurity experts expressed concerns that the tracking device could be exploited by stalkers.

The warnings were prescient; several women reported frightening encounters where AirTags were used as stalking devices that could be slipped into a purse or taped to a car. Police departments across the United States issued warnings about the potential criminal use of AirTagsNewer AirPods have tracking capabilities similar to AirTags, but the higher cost of Apple's earbuds limits their availability as a tracking device.

Apple released firmware updates late in 2022 in an effort to curb misuse. While Tile and other AirTag competitors exist, Apple’s ecosystem sets the device apart. From the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration using it to track international drug shipments to a Texas man using it to find his stolen car and kill the suspect, AirTags are everywhere.

If you're worried that a secret AirTag might be recording your location, these signs can help detect the tracker.

Signs that an AirTag is tracking you

The type of smartphone you own affects how easily you can detect hidden AirTags. Owners of iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later should receive a push alert when an unknown AirTag is nearby for an extended period of time and away from its owner. Apple's website doesn't give an exact timeframe for when this alert is triggered.

Owners of newer iPhones should turn on Bluetooth and check their settings to make sure they'll get notifications. Under Settings, go to Privacy & Security and turn on Location Services. Scroll to the bottom of that page, tap System Services, and enable Find My iPhone. Also, look for the Find My app, visit Me in the bottom-right corner, and then tap Customize Tracking Notifications to double-check that notifications are enabled. Also, make sure you don't have Airplane Mode enabled, or you won't get any notifications.

When you tap the iPhone alert for an unknown AirTag, you may be given the option to play a sound on the AirTag to help you find it. If you own a newer smartphone from Apple maybe You can use precise location data to find the hidden device.

Months after the launch of AirTag, Apple launched the Tracker Detect app for Androidphones, where users had to initiate the scan. Google and Apple have since continued to work together to make it easier for Android phones to detect unwanted AirTagtrackers and for Apple phones to detect Android trackers. Recently, Google rolled out automatic smartphone alerts for unknown Bluetooth trackers, similar to what iPhone owners get for AirTags.

While some guides to finding AirTags recommend using Bluetooth scanners, Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, doesn’t think this method is reliable for tracking. “I’ve tried using different Bluetooth scanners to detect AirTags, and they don’t always work,” she says.

Millions of Americans still don’t own a smartphone. Without a device at hand, you’ll have to rely on visual and audible clues to find any hidden AirTags. The circular white disc is slightly larger than a quarter. As reported by The New York Times, Ashley Estrada discovered an AirTag under her license plate, and her video documenting the incident was viewed more than 22 million times on TikTok.

When AirTag When it was first released, the tracker would beep if it was away from its owner for more than three days. Apple has since shortened that time to 24 hours or less. Despite the update, you may not want to rely solely on sound to detect AirTags. Many videos on YouTube offer DIY instructions for disabling the speaker, and silent versions of the trackers were even listed for a short time on Etsy.

What happens if I find one?

The best way to disable an AirTag is to remove the battery. To do this, turn the AirTag so that the metallic side with an Apple logo is facing you. Press down on the logo and turn counterclockwise. You will now be able to remove the cover and remove the battery.

Apple’s support page for AirTag suggests contacting the police if you think you’re in a dangerous situation. “If you feel your safety is at risk, contact your local police, who may work with Apple to request information related to the item,” the support page says. “You may need to provide the AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My Network accessory, and the device’s serial number.” One way to find the serial number is to hold the top of an iPhone or other near-field communication-enabled smartphone against the white side of an AirTag. A website with the serial number will pop up.

This page may also include a partial phone number of the person who owns the tracking device. If you feel hesitant to scan the AirTag or are unable to, a serial number is printed on the device under the battery.