How to know if your Android device is being tracked by Apple AirTag

The Apple Tracker Detection app is very useful for Android users who are worried about being tracked by AirTag. Here’s how to use it.

Apple AirTags, while designed and intended to be used on keys, wallets, and other luggage, are also being used by hackers to spy on people without their knowledge. This year, Apple has introduced several features aimed at preventing such use, including detecting whether an unknown AirTag is near you, and there is a dedicated app for Android users, Tracker Detection. Here’s how to use it.

Use Tracker Detection on Android to Find AirTags

The Tracker Detection app, available for free on the Google Play store, allows users to use their Android device to search for accessories that work with the Apple Locate network, such as AirTags, that have not been in contact with their owner for more than 15 minutes. An Apple ID account is not required.

Once installed, turn on Bluetooth, open the app, accept the terms of service, and click the “Search”button to find accessories nearby. If this is your first time, you will need to grant the app Bluetooth access.

Your Android device will scan for a maximum of one minute, and if it detects an AirTag nearby, it will show up as “Unknown AirTag”. If you can’t find anything, you can search again, if only because the tracker must be separated from its owner for at least 15 minutes to be visible.

What to do if you find that AirTag is stalking you

If Tracker Detection detects an AirTag that has been tracking you for at least 10 minutes, the app will let you play a sound on the AirTag to find it easily.

If you find it, it’s up to you how to proceed. If the AirTag happened to be with you by accident, in other words, it is not used to track you, but the Lost Mode is activated, you can hold the NFC-enabled Android device to the white side of the tracker to get information to return it. to its owner.

If AirTag is being used to spy on you, you can get the serial number on your phone by holding it up to your smartphone, which can be useful if you’re planning to contact the authorities and need someone’s identity. spies on you. You can also remove the back cover and look inside the AirTag to find out the serial number.

How to deactivate AirTag

If you want to disable AirTag and prevent you from being followed, Tracker Detection has a short but concise description of how to do this:

1. Hold onto the steel back of the AirTag.
2. Rotate the back counterclockwise until it locks into place.
3. Release finger pressure and the back will separate.
4. Remove the battery.

Removing the battery will notify you that AirTag is disabled, keep that in mind.

Unfortunately, Tracker Detection doesn’t have the features natively available on the iPhone, including automatic background scanning. When a tracker is found, it should automatically look for AirTags each time, which can be frustrating if you’re worried about being spied on.

Perhaps in a future update the Android app will add more functionality, but until then, Tracker Detection can give you peace of mind from time to time.