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AirTags are a super convenient way to keep track of important items, but have been used by stalkers and thieves to track people, not objects. Fortunately, Apple has launched an official app on the Google Play Store to inform users when AirTag is following them.
Now that Google is its own Network Find My Device launched and Android has a similar alert system for unknown tracking, the app might seem a little redundant, but in case you feel safer having both options available, we’ll break down how to use Apple’s Tracker Detect app on your Android phone.
For more see newly announced Android features for May 2024 and how Android 15 changes the way you use your phone.
Use Tracker Detect on Android to scan for AirTags
The Tracker detection app, available on the Google Play Store for free, lets you use your Android to search and track items that work with Apple’s Find My network, like AirTags, and have been separated from their owner for at least 15 minutes. No Apple ID account required.
Just press Scan and search for nearby AirTags.
After downloading Tracker Detect, turn on Bluetooth, open the app, agree to the terms and conditions, and tap the blue Scan button to search for nearby items. If it’s your first time using Tracker Detect, you’ll be prompted to give the app the Bluetooth access it needs to find AirTags.
Your Android phone will scan for up to a minute and if it finds an AirTag near you, it will appear as “Unknown AirTag”. If you find nothing, you can try the scan again, especially since the tracker needs to be separated from its owner for at least 15 minutes for it to appear.
What to do if AirTag is following you
If Tracker Detect notices an AirTag that has been following you for at least 10 minutes, the app will let you play a sound from the AirTag so you can more easily find the physical tracker.
If you find an AirTag, it’s up to you how you want to proceed. If your AirTag is with you accidentally, meaning it’s not being used to follow you, and Lost Mode is enabled, you can touch and hold your NFC-enabled Android to the white side of the tag to get more information on how yes Return it.
However, if the AirTag is used for tracking, you can also see the serial number by touching it with your phone, which can be useful if you’re considering contacting law enforcement and require proof of identity for who might be looking at you. pursues. You can also take the back cover apart and look inside the AirTag to find the serial number.
AirTag can be disabled by removing the CR2032 battery.
How to disable AirTag
If you want to turn off AirTag and stop tracking you, Tracker Detect will provide a short but concise summary of how to disable it:
- Press the AirTag’s stainless steel back cover.
- Turn the cover counterclockwise until it stops.
- Release your fingers and the cover will come off.
- Remove the button cell battery.
Removing the battery will notify the owner that the AirTag is disabled, so be warned.
Unfortunately, Tracker Detect lacks some of the features that are available originally on iPhone — most importantly, automatic background scanning. With Tracker Detect, you have to manually scan for AirTags each time, which can be a hassle if you’re constantly worried about being tracked. But again, with Google’s Find My Device network and Android’s ability to do this now, that’s a bit less of a concern.
For more technical tips see A YouTube Music feature that lets you hum a song to identify it and how to get Microsoft 365 for free.
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