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Bluetooth trackers were invented to find lost things, but criminals can use them for surveillance. It is difficult to find such tags, but there are options.
I will tell you how to understand that someone is trying to follow you with a tracker, and what to do in such a case. As an example, I will consider AirTag from Apple - one of the most famous Bluetooth beacons on the market.
The simplest tags connect only to the owner's smartphone - to find them, you need to be very close.
Advanced options work with secure networks created by other gadgets nearby. Simply put, they exchange information with them, and then the owner receives this signal. In any case, to detect the tag, there must be other devices, smartphones or computers nearby.
Finding a tag in a forest where there is no one is almost impossible. Because the tag has nothing to "catch on to" - there is no Bluetooth signal. But in a crowded place, for example, at a train station or a city square, it is quite possible, since there are many smartphones with Bluetooth turned on there.
AirTag determines the location through a secure "locator network". To do this, the tag exchanges data with any iPhones, iPads and MacBooks nearby.
The keychain is designed to work with Apple equipment. Smartphones and tablets on Android can only detect other people's AirTags.
They track pets. The keychain is attached to the collar to find the animal if it gets lost.
They use it in a car to find it in case of theft. This is not the most reliable, but a fairly simple way to track a car after theft.
They track people, although this is illegal and entails criminal liability. Initially, the developers certainly did not include such a scenario for using their accessory, so when the devices began to be used this way, Apple and Google developed special protection against surveillance, indicating someone else's AirTag nearby.
They monitor the movements of their children. If the child does not yet have a smartphone or smartwatch, you can find out his location using the Apple tag.
If someone else's AirTag is near you for some time, your iPhone will receive a notification: "AirTag is moving with you." This could be a planted tracking keychain or an item with a tag attached that someone lost.
You won't be able to find other tags in the same way. Even if you scan all Bluetooth gadgets nearby, you won't know their exact location. These could be fitness bracelets, smart watches, headsets, electric scooters, or other people's smartphones.
GSM modules can also be used for tracking, which are generally impossible to detect from a smartphone. These are beacons with a built-in SIM card that can only be found with specialized equipment.
If you have an Android smartphone, you can find an AirTag nearby using the official Tracker Detector app from Apple.
If you see a notification, click on it - a map of the AirTag's recent movements will open.
The lost tag should itself make a sound signal. If this does not happen, then click the "Play sound" button to find the device. The found AirTag can be placed on the back cover of a smartphone that supports NFC technology to see the owner's contacts on the screen. This will help if someone simply lost the device.
It will not be possible to turn off, reset or link someone else's AirTag to another account. But if you are sure that the tag was used for surveillance, you can remove the battery from it. To do this, follow the instructions from Apple: press the back cover of the AirTag and turn clockwise. Remove the cover and remove the battery.
Starting with iOS 17.5 and Android 6.0, smartphones should notify users of any Bluetooth tags nearby, but this requires developers to improve their accessories and update their software.
It may take from a few minutes to a few hours for such a notification to appear.
The notification may come not only from AirTag, but also from some AirPods models: third-generation headphones, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
iOS 17 introduces the ability to share a tag with friends and family
All iPhones with iOS 14.5 and iPads with iPadOS 14.5 can participate in the locator network to find your or other people's AirTags. The function is voluntary and is disabled by default. If you enable the "Locator Network", no one will know your location, but the owner of the tag will be able to find it faster through the iPhone or iPad. The data is encrypted and remains confidential.
To enable the option, do the following:
If you disable the "Locator Network" option, you won't be able to find someone else's AirTag nearby
The tag's range is limited by the Bluetooth coverage area - from 10 to 30 meters. But sometimes tags can connect to the network of other gadgets and expand the coverage area.
It is very difficult to find someone else's Bluetooth tag nearby. But if an Apple tag is near you, you will receive a notification on your iPhone.
To turn off someone else's tag that was planted on you, you need to remove the battery from it.
If the owner of the AirTag has written their contacts to it, they can be found using a smartphone with NFC support. Just put the back cover of the device to the tag.
I will tell you how to understand that someone is trying to follow you with a tracker, and what to do in such a case. As an example, I will consider AirTag from Apple - one of the most famous Bluetooth beacons on the market.
How Bluetooth Tags Work
Most Bluetooth tags do not have a built-in SIM card or GPS module. Therefore, they only work within the Bluetooth signal range - this is approximately 10-12 meters indoors and 20-30 meters outdoors.The simplest tags connect only to the owner's smartphone - to find them, you need to be very close.
Advanced options work with secure networks created by other gadgets nearby. Simply put, they exchange information with them, and then the owner receives this signal. In any case, to detect the tag, there must be other devices, smartphones or computers nearby.
Finding a tag in a forest where there is no one is almost impossible. Because the tag has nothing to "catch on to" - there is no Bluetooth signal. But in a crowded place, for example, at a train station or a city square, it is quite possible, since there are many smartphones with Bluetooth turned on there.
What is AirTag
This is a keychain tag from Apple that is needed to find lost keys, a bag or a suitcase. AirTag uses not only Bluetooth, but also NFC and Ultra-Wide Band modules to communicate with other devices. The first is responsible for contactless reading of information from tags, and the second is for precise positioning of devices indoors, but does not work in some countries, including Russia.AirTag determines the location through a secure "locator network". To do this, the tag exchanges data with any iPhones, iPads and MacBooks nearby.
The keychain is designed to work with Apple equipment. Smartphones and tablets on Android can only detect other people's AirTags.
How else is AirTag used?
Initially, the Apple tag was intended as a keychain for finding things, but users have found other uses for it.They track pets. The keychain is attached to the collar to find the animal if it gets lost.
They use it in a car to find it in case of theft. This is not the most reliable, but a fairly simple way to track a car after theft.
They track people, although this is illegal and entails criminal liability. Initially, the developers certainly did not include such a scenario for using their accessory, so when the devices began to be used this way, Apple and Google developed special protection against surveillance, indicating someone else's AirTag nearby.
They monitor the movements of their children. If the child does not yet have a smartphone or smartwatch, you can find out his location using the Apple tag.
How to Know if You're Being Tracked with an AirTag or Other Bluetooth Tag
In theory, hackers can use AirTag and other tags to track someone. All accessories work differently, and there is no universal way to find any tag nearby.If someone else's AirTag is near you for some time, your iPhone will receive a notification: "AirTag is moving with you." This could be a planted tracking keychain or an item with a tag attached that someone lost.
You won't be able to find other tags in the same way. Even if you scan all Bluetooth gadgets nearby, you won't know their exact location. These could be fitness bracelets, smart watches, headsets, electric scooters, or other people's smartphones.
GSM modules can also be used for tracking, which are generally impossible to detect from a smartphone. These are beacons with a built-in SIM card that can only be found with specialized equipment.
What to do if you receive notifications about an AirTag nearby
The iPhone will send a notification if someone else's AirTag is "traveling" near you. This usually happens if the tag has moved too far away from its original owner.If you have an Android smartphone, you can find an AirTag nearby using the official Tracker Detector app from Apple.
If you see a notification, click on it - a map of the AirTag's recent movements will open.
The lost tag should itself make a sound signal. If this does not happen, then click the "Play sound" button to find the device. The found AirTag can be placed on the back cover of a smartphone that supports NFC technology to see the owner's contacts on the screen. This will help if someone simply lost the device.
It will not be possible to turn off, reset or link someone else's AirTag to another account. But if you are sure that the tag was used for surveillance, you can remove the battery from it. To do this, follow the instructions from Apple: press the back cover of the AirTag and turn clockwise. Remove the cover and remove the battery.
Starting with iOS 17.5 and Android 6.0, smartphones should notify users of any Bluetooth tags nearby, but this requires developers to improve their accessories and update their software.
It may take from a few minutes to a few hours for such a notification to appear.
The notification may come not only from AirTag, but also from some AirPods models: third-generation headphones, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
How to Find Lost Items with AirTag
If you lose your wallet or bag with AirTag, do the following:- On your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, open the Find My app. It's installed by default on Apple devices.
- Go to the Things tab and tap on the lost AirTag.
- You will see the approximate location of the device on the map. The accuracy depends on whether there are other Apple gadgets nearby.
- If you approach the mark at 10-15 meters, you can turn on the sound signal. To do this, press the "Play sound" button.
iOS 17 introduces the ability to share a tag with friends and family
How to Set Up an iPhone or iPad to Find AirTag
Since AirTag does not have GPS or a cellular module, the key fob cannot determine its location on its own. It transmits data to devices in the locator network, and they transmit the coordinates to the Locator app.All iPhones with iOS 14.5 and iPads with iPadOS 14.5 can participate in the locator network to find your or other people's AirTags. The function is voluntary and is disabled by default. If you enable the "Locator Network", no one will know your location, but the owner of the tag will be able to find it faster through the iPhone or iPad. The data is encrypted and remains confidential.
To enable the option, do the following:
- Go to Settings → your Apple ID → Find My.
- Open the Find My iPhone section and turn on the main switch.
- Turn on the "Locator Network" option.
- Make sure notifications are enabled for the Find My app. This can be done in Settings → Notifications → Find My.
If you disable the "Locator Network" option, you won't be able to find someone else's AirTag nearby
What's the bottom line?
AirTag and other Bluetooth tags are needed to find lost things. But they can also be used for surveillance.The tag's range is limited by the Bluetooth coverage area - from 10 to 30 meters. But sometimes tags can connect to the network of other gadgets and expand the coverage area.
It is very difficult to find someone else's Bluetooth tag nearby. But if an Apple tag is near you, you will receive a notification on your iPhone.
To turn off someone else's tag that was planted on you, you need to remove the battery from it.
If the owner of the AirTag has written their contacts to it, they can be found using a smartphone with NFC support. Just put the back cover of the device to the tag.
