Apple AirTags, Tile, Samsung SmartTags and similar devices are designed for finding lost keys — but they're also misused to stalk people. Modern phones can detect them.
iPhone: an 'Item Detected Near You' or 'AirTag Found Moving With You' notification. Android: similar alerts via Google's 'Find My Device' tracker detection (built-in on Android 6+).
iPhone: open the Find My app → Items → Identify Found Item. Android: install 'Tracker Detect' (by Apple) or use Google's built-in scanner under Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts → Scan now.
AirTags separated from their owner for 8–24 hours play a chirp. Listen in a quiet space — bag, jacket, car interior, under bumpers.
If the tracker may belong to an abusive partner, removing it tips them off. Read the protect step before disabling — and consider contacting a domestic-violence service first.
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Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers