Introduction
Airtag is the newest tracking device marketed by Apple, designed to help users locate their misplaced belongings and possessions. However, the Airtag has raised concerns about privacy, as it can be used as a tracking device by individuals seeking to monitor someone’s location without their consent or knowledge. In this guide, we will explore the ways to know if Airtag is tracking you and provide practical solutions to protect your privacy.
5 Signs Your Airtag Is Tracking You and How to Know for Sure
There are some tell-tale signs that your Airtag is tracking you, including:
Strange Sounds Coming from Your Items
One of the most apparent signs of an Airtag tracking is hearing unusual sounds coming from your personal items such as bags, clothing, or other accessories. These sounds occur when the Airtag starts playing a sound to let the owner locate their lost item. If you hear these sounds consistently and aren’t aware of any lost possessions, it’s worth investigating.
Receiving Suspicious Notifications
If you keep receiving notifications on your phone about finding “unknown” items or detecting an Airtag that you don’t recognize, it is likely that someone is trying to track you using an Airtag. These notifications will only occur if someone has placed an Airtag in your proximity, and your iPhone is picking it up.
Unusual Battery Drainage
An Airtag has a battery life of around a year. However, if you notice your iPhone or other Apple devices connected to it start to drain battery rapidly, this could be due to Airtag’s constant pinging. If the device is connected with an Airtag, it is continuously sending location data to the tracker, which could explain the unusual battery drainage.
Mysterious Movements on the Find My App
The Find My app on your iPhone is a signal-picking software that detects all Apple devices near you. Therefore, if you see an unfamiliar device on your Find My app, it could be an Airtag. If you’re not aware of any missing items, then it could be regarding.
The Airtag Pings Near You on Someone Else’s Devices
If someone is tracking you using an Airtag, their iPhone will send a notification when they come near you, and the Airtag detects your iPhone nearby. If you receive this notification repeatedly from different people, it’s a sign that someone has placed an Airtag on your belongings or person’s necklace, possibly to monitor you.
The Ultimate Guide to Checking for Airtag Surveillance
Here are some ways to check for Airtag surveillance:
Checking for Airtags using an iPhone
You can find out if there is an Airtag stalking you by using your iPhone’s Find My app. When walking around, check the nearby devices list on the app to spot any unfamiliar devices or queries, as these could be Airtags someone is using to track you. If you suspect an Airtag is nearby, you can also use the Find My app to play a sound from it.
Using an Anti-Spy Bug Detector
Anti-spy bug detectors pick up radio frequencies, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular, which Airtags use to send location data. These devices alert you when detecting an unfamiliar transmission source nearby.
Using an NFC Enabled Android Device or RFID Reader
If you own an Android device with NFC or an RFID reader, you can use it to check for any Airtags in your surroundings. These devices connect with Airtags using radio waves and can quickly pick them up.
Is Someone Tracking Your Every Move with Airtags? Here’s How to Find Out
Here are some ways to find out if someone is using Airtags to track you:
Using the Find My app
If you suspect someone is tracking you with an Airtag, open the Find My App and look under the “Items” tab. If you see an unfamiliar item listed near you and you suspect someone could use it to track you, you can use the app to play a sound on the Airtag to identify which item it is, or disable the item’s identification, to prevent it from being paired with a device.
Checking for Paired Devices on Airtags
If you come across an Airtag conveniently placed on or near you, you can check to see if any nearby devices are linked to it. To do this, move the Airtag closer to your iPhone, tap on the item on your Find My app, and scan the NFC chip to see if it is paired with any nearby devices.
Using Anti-Surveillance Apps Like IDetector
To stay on the safe side, use anti-surveillance apps like iDetector to scan for any radio transmissions coming from an Airtag placed on you.
Don’t Be Tracked: 7 Simple Steps to Detecting an Airtag on Your Person
Here are seven measures to safeguard your privacy and prevent any Airtag tracking attempts.
Checking Your Belongings Frequently
Periodically check your belongings, especially your purse or backpack, for any suspicious items or Airtags. Checking your items frequently can help you identify any irregularities and avoid potential tracking attempts.
Being Aware of Any Suspicious and Unexplained Occurrences
Be wary of any strange noises or unfamiliar beeps emanating from belongings and check for any new pairing notifications or Find My app notifications. Unexplained occurrences could be an indication of unauthorized Airtag use.
Look for Unfamiliar Bluetooth Devices
Check your Bluetooth settings for any unknown devices that may have paired with your mobile devices, as these can be potential Airtags placed on you by an attacker.
Turn Off WiFi and Bluetooth Connections When Not in Use
When not in use, turn off Bluetooth and WiFi connections on your phone, limiting your phone’s transmissions, which restricts Airtag communication.
Disable the Airtag’s Contact-Based Notification
Disabling contact-based notifications for Airtags makes it harder to trace you or your belongings, by preventing anyone detecting any of your devices nearby through the Airtag.
Be Vigilant and Take Precautions
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and investigate any unexplained activity immediately.
Block Unknown Airtag Data-Sharing Requests on Your Apple Devices
You can secure yourself from unauthorized Airtag use by blocking data-sharing requests from unknown devices by swiping left on any device listed on your Find My app’s “Items” tab.
How to Detect and Remove Airtags from Your Belongings
If you found an Airtag in your belongings or clothing, use these methods to remove it:
Using Your iPhone or Any NFC Supported Android Devices
If you have an iPhone or another mobile device that can detect NFC chips, tap your device on the Airtag to wipe the pairing data, unpairing the item from the Airtag.
By Resetting and Unpairing an Airtag
You can restore your Airtag to its original settings by pressing and holding the button on the tracker until the light flashes white, then releasing it. The Airtag resets and removes its data from any prior pairings, so it can no longer track you.
Disabling the Inappropriate Pairing with NFC Enabled Devices
You can also disable the automatic pairings with NFC-enabled devices by going into your iPhone’s settings, tapping “Find My” > “Items,” then toggle “Enable Offline Finding” and disable “Identify Found Items”.
Using Physical and Magnetic Airtag Detectors
Multiple physical and magnetic detectors are available on the market, which you can use to search for Airtags in your surroundings. These detectors locate Airtags through their electromagnetic signal and help remove them entirely.
A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Privacy from Airtag Tracking
To protect yourself from unwanted tracking by Airtags, you can take the following measures:
Install Anti-Surveillance Apps to Protect Your Devices
Several anti-surveillance apps assist in detecting any suspicious radio transmissions, such as Hidden Camera Detector and iDetector. These apps can scan and alert you when there is any transmittable signal.
Check Your Online Accounts of Any Unauthorized Access
Occasionally review your online accounts, including your phone carrier account and online bank, for any suspicious activities. Unauthorized Airtag tracking mostly occurs through hacking into online accounts to track the user’s location.
Keep Your Phone and Bluetooth Connection Off Whenever Possible and Remain Cautious
When not in use, switch off your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, reducing the signaling metrics that restrict Airtag communication.
The Airtag Menace: How to Stay Safe and Secure from Unwanted Monitoring
How to Avoid Suspect Harboring People
Always keep a safe distance from individuals who appear threatening, and be mindful of suspicious strangers in crowded areas. These people could potentially plant Airtags on you or your possessions to track your location.
Highlighting the Importance of Attentive and Careful Behavior
Remaining vigilant and adopting healthy habits like frequently checking your surroundings and being vigilant will prevent you from falling into potentially harmful situations.
How to Secure Personal Belongings
Use locks, zippers, and zip-ties to secure your zippers or any means to secure your backpacks and luggage. It will significantly reduce the ease at which anyone could plant Airtags on you or your possessions.
What to do About Airtag Surveillance
If you suspect someone is using Airtags to illegally track you, immediately report this to the relevant authorities, and seek expert help from anti-surveillance experts.
Conclusion
Airtags might appear like an unobtrusive locator tool, but if misused, can be employed as a potent weapon to track people without their consent or knowledge. By taking some simple precautions such as checking your items regularly, installing anti-surveillance apps, and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself against unwanted tracking with Airtags.
Final Thoughts on Staying Safe and Taking Precautions
The need to stay safe and secure cannot be understated in today’s digital age where hacking attempts and other forms of cybercrimes are rife. We recommend always watching out for your surroundings, securing your possessions, and installing up-to-date security measures such as anti-surveillance tools to stay on the safe side.