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

AirTags, although designed to act as essential, wallet and luggage finders, have been misused by thieves and stalkers to track peoples places, as well as their personal items, without their knowledge. Over the last year, Apple has launched a number of anti-stalking features to help people discover rogue AirTags near them, which consists of an app for Android users.Tracker Detect, a main Apple app on the Google Play Store, permits individuals who dont own any Apple devices to scan for nearby AirTags, in case somebody is using the tracking device to follow them around. Heres how to scan for AirTags on your Android smartphone or tablet.Just struck Search and scan for nearby AirTags.
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Use Tracker Detect on Android to scan for AirTagsThe Tracker Detect app, readily available in the Google Play Store for free, enables you to utilize your Android to browse for and track products that deal with Apples Find My network, such as AirTags, and are separated from their owner for a minimum of 15 minutes. No Apple ID account is required.After downloading Tracker Detect, turn on Bluetooth, open the application, consent to the conditions and terms, and tap the blue Scan button to search for neighboring products. If this is your first time using Tracker Detect, youll be triggered to provide the app access to Bluetooth, which it needs to find any AirTags.

If you do not find anything, you can try the scan again, specifically since the tracker needs to be separated from its owner for at least 15 minutes to appear.What to do if you find an AirTag tracking youIf Tracker Detect notices an AirTag thats been following you for at least 10 minutes, the app will then enable you to play a sound from the AirTag so that you can more easily discover the physical tracker.If you do find the AirTag, its up to you on how you want to continue. If the AirTag is with you by mishap, implying its not being used to follow you, and “Lost Mode” is allowed, you can tap and hold your NFC-compatible Android to the white side of the tag to get more info on how to return it.However, if the AirTag is being utilized to track you, you can also see the serial number by tapping it with your phone, which might show helpful if youre thinking about getting in touch with law enforcement and require ID evidence of who might be stalking you.

The AirTag can be disabled by removing the CR2032 battery.
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How to disable an AirTagIf you wish to close down the AirTag and stop if from tracking you, Tracker Detect will supply a short however concise summary on how to disable it: Press down on the stainless-steel back cover of the AirTag.Rotate the cover counter-clockwise up 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 has been handicapped, so be warned.Unfortunately, Tracker Detect lacks some of functions that are available natively on the iPhone– most notably, automatic background scans. On Tracker Detect, you need to manually scan for AirTags each time, which can be an annoyance if youre constantly stressed about being tracked.Maybe in future updates Apple will consider adding more features to the Android app, however till then, Tracker Detect can help supply some relief if youre being tracked by AirTag.

If youre thinking about purchasing an Apple tracking gadget, despite the privacy issues, find out more about AirTags, have a look at a few of the very best AirTag accessories out there and check out how AirTags fare versus their most significant competitors.

Over the last year, Apple has released several anti-stalking functions to help individuals find rogue AirTags near them, and that consists of an app for Android users.Tracker Detect, an official Apple app on the Google Play Store, allows individuals who dont own any Apple devices to scan for neighboring AirTags, in case somebody is using the tracking device to follow them around. Heres how to scan for AirTags on your Android smart device or tablet.Just struck Search and scan for close-by AirTags.
If you do not find anything, you can attempt the scan once again, especially because the tracker should be separated from its owner for at least 15 minutes to appear.What to do if you find an AirTag tracking youIf Tracker Detect notifications an AirTag thats been following you for at least 10 minutes, the app will then permit you to play a sound from the AirTag so that you can more easily find the physical tracker.If you do discover the AirTag, its up to you on how you want to proceed.

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