How to tell if an unknown AirTag or tracker is following you

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.