AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers are meant to make your life easier. You can use them to find your keys or purse, track your luggage, or keep tabs on important items. Although they’re commonly called Bluetooth trackers, AirTags and some other similar devices use both Bluetooth andultra-wideband (AKA UWB)for location tracking. Due to their small size, Bluetooth trackers can be easily lost or misplaced. They can be misused by thieves and stalkers to track your location and belongings without your knowledge.
Google and Apple are aware of this and have jointly introduced features to let you find rogue AirTags. There are also third-party apps are available that help you detect other Bluetooth trackers. This guide walks you through the process of finding Bluetooth trackers, whether you use abudget Android phoneor a high-end model.
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How do Bluetooth trackers work?
Bluetooth trackers help you keep an eye on your belongings. There are many options to choose from. You can get an Apple AirTag or explore options from manufacturers like Samsung, Cipholo, and Tile. All trackers have an internal power source (a battery), a chip, and an antenna to make things work. Some come with a built-in speaker so that they can be easily located. Also, Bluetooth trackers are accompanied by a mobile app to let you track the location of the object they are attached to.
Most trackers work on the same principle. They use a low-energy form of Bluetooth (Bluetooth LE) and/or UWB to connect to your smartphone. Each Bluetooth tracker comes with its own universally unique identifier, a UUID, which makes sure thetracker cannot be tracked by othersand its location is only known to the owner. However, the owner of the tracker can decide to share it with their friends and family, allowing them to track it from their phones.
There’s more to it. Bluetooth trackers also connect to devices from other people, but they do it in a way that keeps your identity secret. For instance,AirTags use Bluetooth signalsto link with any nearby device in Apple’s Find My network without revealing your details; they can useApple’s “Precision Finding” feature, thanks to built-in UWB on newer iPhones (iPhone 11 and later). And with the release of iOS 17, Apple lets you share AirTags with up to five people in your household.
And while Apple had a significant head start, Samsung’s SmartTag 2 uses UWB and Bluetooth for location tracking as well. There’s alsoTile, which has its own crowdsourced networkand works with any phone that has Bluetooth connectivity.
How to find AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers using the Tracker Detect app
Apple’s AirTags are designed for iPhones, but Android users can find unexpected AirTags around them using the free Tracker Detect app. The app works with any item tracker that supports Apple’s Find My network, including AirTags and devices from other manufacturers like Chipolo and Pebblebee.
If the Tracker Detect app finds an unknown Bluetooth tracker around you, it flags it and gives you instructions on how to learn more about the tracker and how to turn it off. Follow the steps below to find Bluetooth trackers using Apple’s Tracker Detect app.
Find AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers using Android’s Unknown tracker alerts
Google introduced Unknown tracker alerts for Android usersduring I/O 2023and started thewider rollout of the feature in August 2023. You’ll receive an unknown tracker alert when someone else’s tracker device is separated from them and detected as traveling with you and out of Bluetooth range from the owner. The safety feature is available on Android 6.0 and above.
However, Unknown tracker alertsonly work with Apple AirTags. During our testing, we found the alerts are activated by default. you’re able to choose to deactivate them from the settings.
How to find a tracker when you receive an alert
How to manually scan for the tracker
Google also lets you manually check for Bluetooth trackers that are separated from their owners and currently near you.
Third-party apps that can help you find AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers
Many third-party apps can help you find Bluetooth trackers. In this tutorial, we used LightBlue, a free app available on the Play Store that can detect trackers from any manufacturer. LightBlue shows you all Bluetooth devices within range, including smartwatches, earbuds, and keyboards. To find your Bluetooth tracker, move away from other devices.
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What to do when you find a Bluetooth tracker?
If you find a tracker, you can decide what to do with it. You can tap the Bluetooth tracker with an NFC-compatible Android phone to know its serial number or information like the last four digits of its owner’s phone number. You can also remove the back cover and look for the serial number inside the tracker.
Apple recommendsremoving an unknown AirTag’s battery. Push down and twist counter-clockwise on the back of the tracker to take the cover off. These instructions may not work for all Bluetooth trackers, but removing the battery should turn off location tracking on most. you may also contact your local law enforcement agency if you find an unknown tracker nearby;Apple works with law enforcement agencies worldwideto provide assist AirTag issues.
Keep unknown AirTags and Bluetooth trackers far away
A Bluetooth tracker is like a double-edged sword. While it helps you find your belongings, nefarious folks could use it to stalk you. You might be aware that Google also tracks your web browsing history, location, app activities, and more on your Android phone. While it isn’t possible to go on without using Google services, there are steps you can take toprotect your digital privacy online.
