Adam Kos Although AirTag helps to find lost devices, unfortunately there are also those who want to use it for certain nefarious activities. It is primarily about tracking people, but also different things, e.g. cars. Until now, Android devices could at least read these tags, but now Apple has given them more options. With the help of the Tracker Detect application, they find out if an AirTag is located directly near them.
How the app works
Tracker Detect is available in Google Play for free, and it works not only with AirTags, but with any locators belonging to the Find platform, including those from third-party manufacturers (e.g. Chipolo). The app searches for object trackers within Bluetooth range, typically within 10m of your device. However, this does not mean that it will find all locators in your range. The condition is that the tracker must first be separated from its owner, i.e. that the AirTag or other device is not connected to the paired device.
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Using Tracker Detect
If you think someone is using an AirTag or other item tracker to track your location, you can try to find them by scanning. If the app detects an AirTag or compatible Find It item tracker near you for at least 10 minutes, you can even play a sound on it to help you find it better.
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The application interface is actually very simple. After starting it, you only have the option to choose Scan, which will start the actual search for trackers. If it finds any, it will show you a list of them with a time horizon for how long they have been near you. You can then scan again to make sure the tracker is still near you.
Apple Air Tag
After clicking on the found tracker, you can learn more about it, i.e. find out its serial number and possibly a message from the owner. Legally, it does not have to be targeted tracking of you. There are also instructions on how to disable the tracker. If it's an AirTag, just remove the battery. You don't need to have an Apple account to use the app.
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Vratislav Holub He who seeks will find
The release of the app is a clear response to several recent incidents involving AirTags. It was mainly about theft of luxury vehicles, in which the thieves hid the AirTag and then tracked it to a parking spot and then stole it. Already in June, Apple shortened the time of automatic audio playback after separation from the owner from three days to 8 to 24 hours.
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But the problem with the application is that it works on demand, i.e. not proactively. The Find platform, on the other hand, can send alerts, while Tracker Detect cannot. Even so, more than 50 users have already installed the application from Google Play, who want to have an overview of whether someone is trying to break into their privacy, despite the fact that so far the first evaluation comment in the store sounds rather unflattering for Apple , namely: "nothing found".
