Apple has released a new Android app allowing users to detect whether there’s an unfamiliar AirTag following them. It’s a useful safety tool for any non-iPhone users concerned they may be a victim of high-tech stalking.
“Tracker Detect looks for item trackers that are separated from their owner and that are compatible with Apple’s Find My network,” the app’s Google Play store description reads. “These item trackers include AirTag and compatible devices from other companies. If you think someone is using AirTag or another device to track your location, you can scan to try to find it.”
When Apple announced its new Bluetooth AirTag trackers in April, they were quickly met with privacy and security concerns. Using these handy 1.26-inch tags to electronically keep track of your keys and wallet is pretty convenient. Being potentially tracked by a stalker without your knowledge is less great.
Apple indicated it was aware of this issue, and implemented a few features to help prevent AirTag abuse. This included automatic detection of any unknown AirTags following you, the ability to deactivate said AirTags, and having AirTags emit a noise if they’re separated from their paired iPhone for three days. The audio alert was later updated in June to activate at a random time between 8 and 24 hours.
However, aside from the AirTags’ sound, these features were only available for iPhone users. Now, Apple’s Tracker Detect app will finally allow Android users to check whether they’re being shadowed by any maliciously-intended AirTags, hopefully catching them early.
Though Tracker Detect appears to be a handy safety tool, it isn’t without flaws. Users have already started leaving negative reviews on the Google Play store, criticizing Apple’s app for requiring manual activation of its scan. This means you’d have to already know someone might have planted an AirTag on you recently, otherwise you probably wouldn’t bother opening the app and scanning. On the other hand, Tracker Detect could potentially drain your phone’s battery if it was automatically scanning all the time.
“Tracker Detect gives Android users the ability to scan for an AirTag or supported Find My enabled item trackers that might be travelling with them without their knowledge,” an Apple spokesperson told Mashable. “We are raising the bar on privacy for our users and the industry, and hope others will follow.”
UPDATE: Dec. 14, 2021, 12:26 p.m. This article has been updated with comment from Apple and to note the update to the AirTag’s audio alert feature.
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