Is Your Android Being Tracked by an AirTag? Here’s How to Find Out

AirTagsalthough designed as a key, wallet and luggage locator abused by thieves and stalkers to track people’s locations and their personal belongings without their knowledge. Apple has released several over the past year Anti-stalking features to help people find fraudulent AirTags in their area, and that includes an app for Android User.

Tracker Detect, an official Apple app on the Google Play Store, allows people who don’t have Apple devices to search for nearby places AirTags, in case someone is using the tracking device to follow them. How to scan for AirTags on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Use Tracker Detect on Android to search for AirTags

With the Tracker Detect app, available for free on the Google Play Store, you can use your Android device to search for and track items that work with Apple’s “Find My” network, e.g. B. AirTags, and are separated from their owner for at least 15 minutes. No Apple ID account is required.

After downloading Tracker Detect turn on Bluetooth, open the application, agree to the terms of service and tap on the blue icon scan key to search for nearby items. When using Tracker Detect for the first time, you will be prompted to grant the app access to Bluetooth, which it needs to find AirTags.

Your Android will scan for up to a minute and if it finds an AirTag near you it will show it as “Unknown Airtag”. If you don’t find anything, 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 you find an AirTag tracking you?

When Tracker Detect notices an AirTag that has been following you for at least 10 minutes, the app allows you to play a sound from the AirTag to help you find the physical tracker.

When you find the AirTag, it’s up to you how you want to proceed. If the AirTag is accidentally with you, meaning it’s not being used to follow you, and Lost Mode is on, you can tap and hold your NFC-compatible Android device on the white side of the tag to find more Get information on how to return it.

However, if the AirTag is being used to track you, you can also view the serial number by tapping it with your phone, which could come in handy if you’re considering contacting law enforcement and need proof of identity as to who You may be haunted. You can also remove the back cover and look inside the AirTag to find the serial number.

How to deactivate an AirTag

If you want to turn off the AirTag and stop tracking you, Tracker Detect provides a short but concise summary of how to disable it:

1. Press the AirTag’s stainless steel rear cover.
2. Rotate the cover counterclockwise until it stops.
3. Release your fingers and the cover will come off.
4. Remove the button cell battery.

Removing the battery will notify the owner that the AirTag has been disabled, so be warned.

Unfortunately, Tracker Detect lacks some features that are present natively available on the iPhone — most importantly, automatic background scans. Tracker Detect requires you to manually check for AirTags every time, which can be annoying if you’re constantly worried about being tracked.

Maybe Apple will consider adding more features to the Android app in future updates, but until then, Tracker Detect can help bring some relief if you’re being tracked by AirTag.

If you’re considering buying an Apple tracking device despite the privacy concerns, Learn more about AirTagscheck out some of the best AirTag accessory out there and read how AirTags compete against their biggest competitors.