Android now warns users of unexpected AirTag Bluetooth trackers

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In the news

While location trackers aren’t new, when Apple released its AirTags in 2021 the company pitched the quarter-sized Bluetooth tracking devices as a solution to finding misplaced items, like your keys. An AirTag placed on the end of a keychain, for example, will leverage wireless connections from nearby Apple devices and alert you of its location. But before long, reports of abuse of the trackers surfaced. Unwanted AirTags were being found in stolen cars and women’s purses. Google, reportedly developing its own tracking product, teamed up with Apple on an industry specification to combat unwanted tracking. Google is now rolling out updates for Android 6 or later, which will provide unknown tracker alerts. The new feature also allows users to actively scan for location trackers, and provides pointers on your next steps for taking action if you do find one. Initially, the feature will only work for AirTags, but will grow to incorporate other device makers. Check out Ars Technica’s writeup.

What you can do

• Android users: Once you’ve downloaded the update, your device will alert you of unknown location trackers that appear to be following you. It will give you the option to force these devices to play a sound, so you may be able to find it and disable it. Within your Settings app, you can choose “Safety & Emergency” to run a scan or change your notification settings.
• For those who have not received the new update yet, you can download the Tracker Detect app to conduct a manual scan for trackers.
• iOS users: iPhones already detect nearby AirTags that appear to be following you. It doesn’t work on all Apple devices, so check out Apple’s documentation to confirm this feature will work on your preferred device.?
• New security features like this reinforce the importance of keeping your devices up to date. Check out our guide on the story inside your software updates.

Updates from our team

Next week on Aug. 7-8 I’ll be visiting Southern California for the Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security in Anaheim. If you are around, let me know and come say hi! I’ll have some Freedom of the Press Foundation and newsletter stickers on hand.

Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.

Best,

Martin

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Martin Shelton

Principal Researcher

Freedom of the Press Foundation