Practical for finding stolen or lost items, GPS trackers like the AirTag are also used to spy on people through location. Fortunately, on Android, as on the iPhone, there is a function to detect these cookies.
Bluetooth GPS trackers have been around for a long time. But it was Apple that popularized this type of accessory with its famous AirTag. Very affordable – it sells for less than 40 euros – this small, round, thin box fits anywhere – on a key chain, on the bottom of a bag, on a suitcase, in a bag, in a wallet, under a saddle of two wheels, in a car, etc. – and allows its owner to precisely locate it in just a few moments. Handy for finding your belongings if lost or stolen!
But as is often the case in technology, this clever device was quickly diverted from its original purpose. And malicious people started using it for espionage purposes. For example, it is enough to discreetly attach an AirTag to luggage or under a vehicle to locate someone without their knowledge. And always know exactly where it is by locating it in real time on a smartphone. An impressive technique for tracking down a spouse suspected of infidelity, a teenager skipping school, a rival or competitor. Not to mention the thieves who spot rich potential victims in a train station, airport or parking lot before robbing them in their home, or the sexual predators who find there an easy way to track down their prey. Not very reassuring…
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A spy tracker detection feature
And don’t think that these are paranoid fantasies: since the launch of AirTags, the media around the world has reported many cases of this kind. Especially since there are other products of the same type: Samsung also has SmartTags in its tracker catalog that offer approximately the same functions, as do a large number of small Chinese manufacturers for whom security and confidentiality are sometimes abstract concepts.
These vile and dangerous practices have apparently alarmed Apple, which has taken several precautions to prevent its small tracker from being used for spying purposes by integrating an unknown AirTag detection feature into iOS, its mobile operating system. And Google recently followed suit and developed a similar feature. In fact, any smartphone can now detect the presence of a spy tracker nearby.
Since August 2023, Google has implemented a system to detect unknown AirTags on Android smartphones. This function covers all versions of the system from Android 6 onwards, i.e. almost all Android devices in circulation. You can then activate the warnings by making a small adjustment. Meet in Settings From the phone, go to the “Security and Emergencies” section and press Unknown tracker alerts. Turn on notifications if you haven’t already. If in doubt, you can even do a search to check that there isn’t an AirTag (which actually uses a Bluetooth connection and the Find My network generated by nearby iPhones) nearby.
If an unknown AirTag is found, you will receive a notification. You can then call it – without the owner’s knowledge – to find it. When you get your hands on it, you just have to place it on the back of the smartphone (if it has an NFC chip) to view the relevant information, especially if it has been declared lost.
If this is not the case, it is strongly recommended to disable it by removing the battery. Tracker detection on Android currently only affects Apple AirTags, but Google plans to add more models soon. In addition, Apple also offers its free app for Android, Tracker Detect, in the Google Play Store, which you can also use to find unknown AirTags.
On the iPhone, automatic detection is built into the system. An alert appears on the screen as soon as the iPhone detects the presence of a device in the Find network (such as an AirTag or even AirPods) nearby for a certain period of time and its owner is not nearby. You can then identify and disable the spy device if you suspect it is following you without your knowledge by following the on-screen instructions. A simple and effective way to detect any tracking attempt!