Hidden tracker: how to tell if an AirTag is following you
iPhone and Android warn you when an unknown Bluetooth tracker moves with you. How to scan manually, what to do if you find one, and how to stay safe.
Bluetooth trackers such as AirTags are great for finding keys, luggage or a stolen car, but they can also be hidden in a bag, coat or car to follow a person. Since 2024, iPhone and Android warn you when an unknown tracker seems to be moving with you, even if it was made for the other platform.
Will my phone alert me?
Usually, yes. On May 13, 2024, Apple and Google rolled out cross-platform unwanted tracking alerts based on their Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers specification, which they took to the IETF. Support arrived in iOS 17.5 and Android 6.0+, and Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola and Pebblebee committed to compatible tags. Google says Android's automatic alerts need Location on, trigger at most once a day per tracker and are deleted after 48 hours.
How do I scan manually?
- Android 12+: Settings › Safety & emergency › Unknown tracker alerts › Scan now (about 10 seconds).
- iPhone: tap the tracking notification, then Play Sound or Find Nearby; holding the top of the iPhone near the item shows its serial number and part of the owner's phone number.
What should I do if I find one?
- If you feel unsafe, go to a public place and contact the police or someone you trust.
- Screenshot the alert, map, serial number and owner details.
- Think before disabling it: the owner will stop getting updates, and Google warns that turning a tracker off may reset it and make it harder for police to identify the owner.
- Turning off Bluetooth or using airplane mode does not stop the tracker.
- Take it to law enforcement, which can request owner information from the manufacturer.
Not every alert means stalking: the tag may be on something you borrowed. In the US, Google points to the Safety Net Project for support. See also keyless car theft, the Google, Apple and Microsoft security checkup and Protection tips.
Source
- Apple Newsroom — Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts (mai/2024)
- Apple — Guia de segurança pessoal: alertas de rastreamento indesejado
- Google — Android Help: Find unknown trackers
- Dizer o Direito — Lei 14.132/2021 institui o crime de perseguição