You may be under the impression that the Apple AirTag can only be used with Apple devices. However, this is not entirely accurate. If an AirTag is in Lost Mode or not connected to its owner’s device, you can actually use and find it with your Android phone. Allow me to demonstrate how this process works.
How to Detect an AirTag Tracking You on Android
Apple has introduced an app on the Google Play Store for Android phones called Tracker Detect. This app enables Android users to scan for nearby AirTags and other Find My-compatible devices that may be unknowingly tracking them. The Tracker Detect app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and doesn’t require an Apple ID account. It is compatible with Android devices running Android 6.0 or later.
Apple created the Tracker Detect app in response to concerns that AirTags could be utilized for covertly monitoring individuals. Given their small size, AirTags can be discreetly placed in bags, coats, or vehicles.
If you have an Android phone, you won’t be able to fully access the features of AirTag since you don’t have Apple’s Find My app. However, you still have access to a limited range of capabilities.
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Using the Tracker Detect app allows you to identify any nearby trackers. (CyberGuy.com)
Ways to Utilize the Tracker Detect App
If you suspect that someone might be using an AirTag to track your location, you can open the app and tap on “Scan for Trackers.” The app will display any trackers nearby that are not paired with your phone.
It’s important to note that the Tracker Detect app doesn’t automatically scan for trackers like an AirTag does. You must initiate the scan yourself as mentioned above. This means you need to be mindful of the possibility of being tracked by another person’s device and use the app to check for it.
If you receive a notification from the Tracker Detect app indicating that an unknown tracker is moving with you, you can tap on it and opt to play a sound on the tracker to help locate it.
If you come across an AirTag that doesn’t belong to you, you can use the Tracker Detect app to scan it. If the owner has marked the AirTag as lost and provided contact information, such as a phone number or email address, you can use that information to reach out to them and return the tracker.
If you’re unable to contact the owner or suspect that the tracker was being used maliciously, you can disable it by removing the battery.
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Apple AirTags can be detected using the Tracker Detect app. (CyberGuy.com)
How to Scan an AirTag on an Android Using the Tracker Detect App
1. Open the Tracker Detect app.
2. Tap on “Scan for Trackers.”
3. The app will display any nearby trackers that are not paired with your phone.
4. If you find an AirTag that doesn’t belong to you in the Tracker Detect app, you can tap on it and choose to play a sound on the tracker after it has been near you for 10 minutes to help you locate it.
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Woman using an Apple AirTag with her Android phone. (CyberGuy.com)
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Downside of the Tracker Detect App
The Tracker Detect app only detects trackers that are compatible with Apple’s Find My Network, like AirTags. It cannot detect other brands of trackers, such as Tile or Samsung.
You cannot use the Tracker Detect app to set up or pair an AirTag with your Android device, nor can you track an AirTag that is still connected to its owner’s device. For these features, you need an Apple device and the Find My app.
Additionally, the Tracker Detect app does not provide precise location guidance like the Find My app does on iPhones.
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Google’s “Unknown Tracker Alerts” Warns You of Unwanted AirTags
In July, Google introduced a feature called “Unknown Tracker Alerts” for Android phones. This feature automatically alerts you if there is an AirTag nearby that does not belong to you. It works on Android 6.0 and up without requiring any app downloads or scans. If your phone detects an AirTag separated from its owner, you will receive a notification. You can tap on it to view more details, such as where the AirTag was last seen with you and how to make it beep for easier locating. You can also learn how to disable it.
IS ALEXA SECRETLY LISTENING TO YOUR PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS? Google alerts you of unknown trackers. (CyberGuy.com)
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Best AirTag Alternatives for Android Users
If you wish to use a tracker similar to the AirTag with your Android phone, there are several alternatives to consider. These include the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and the Tile Mate. These trackers utilize Bluetooth and may also have ultra-wideband technology to aid in locating your belongings. Each alternative has its own app available for download on the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store, which are compatible with Android devices.
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Kurt’s Key Takeaways
While you cannot set up an AirTag on your Android device, it is still valuable for you to know how to detect, find, and disable an AirTag that is in Lost Mode or not connected to its owner’s device.
However, keep in mind that the Tracker Detect app from Apple has certain limitations compared to the Find My app on iPhones.
If you desire a more compatible and versatile tracker for your Android phone, you may want to explore other options like the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag or the Tile Mate. These trackers offer similar features to the AirTag but with more Android-friendly apps and functions.
What are your thoughts on the Tracker Detect app and the AirTag compatibility with Android devices? Do you believe Apple should make the AirTag more accessible to Android users or keep it exclusive to its ecosystem? Let us know by contacting us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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