What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (2024)

AirTag lets you easily track things like your keys, wallet, purse, backpack, luggage, and more. Simply set it up with your iPhone or iPad and attach it to your item, and your AirTag shows up in the Items tab in the Find My app.

AirTag and devices that are part of the Find My network accessory program, and some AirPod models — AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max — use the Find My network to help you keep track of and find your belongings.* After you set up a compatible item, it shows up in the Devices or Items tab in the Find My app.

AirTag, AirPods, and other Find My network accessories include features to guard against unwanted tracking. They should not be used to track people, and should not be used to track property that does not belong to you. Using these products to track people without their consent is a crime in many countries and regions around the world. If an AirTag, set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory is discovered to be unlawfully tracking a person, law enforcement can request any available information from Apple to support their investigation.

AirTag, AirPods, and Find My network accessories are designed to protect your privacy when you're using them to keep track of important items. They have unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently. The Find My network uses end-to-end encryption and is built with privacy in mind.

Learn more about Find My and Privacy

To further combat the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices, Apple and Google have worked together to create an industry specification that makes it possible to alert users — across both iOS and Android — if such a device is unknowingly being used to track them. This will help mitigate the misuse of devices designed to help keep track of belongings.

Tracking Notifications for compatible Bluetooth location-tracking devices require iOS 17.5 or later and iPadOS 17.5 or later.

Unwanted tracking

If any AirTag, AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device, separated from its owner, is seen moving with you over time, you'll be notified in one of two ways. These features were created specifically to discourage people from trying to track you without your knowledge.

  1. If you have an iPhone or iPad, Tracking Notifications will send a notification to your Apple device. This feature is available on iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later. To receive alerts, make sure that you:

  2. An AirTag, AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charging case, or Find My network accessory that isn't with its owner for a period of time will emit a sound when it's moved.

If you detect an unknown AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device, use the steps below to learn about it, find it, and disable it.

If you see an alert

If you see one of the following alerts on your iPhone or iPad, an item compatible with the Find My network or a compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device could be traveling with you, and the owner might be able to see its location.

It's possible that the AirTag or Find My network accessory might be attached to an item you're borrowing, or you might get this alert if you’re borrowing someone else’s AirPods. If you're borrowing an AirTag or another item compatible with the Find My network from a member of your Family Sharing group, you can turn off alerts for that item for one day, or indefinitely.

If an AirTag that's separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, or if your iPhone is awake and an AirTag that isn't with its owner for a period of time emits a sound to indicate that it has moved, this alert is displayed: AirTag Found Moving With You.

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (1)

Find My displays a map of where the AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device has been observed with you. The red dots show where the unknown item was detected near your iPhone or iPad. The dashed lines connecting the red dots help indicate the sequence where the item was detected with you. The red dots do not indicate when the item's owner is viewing the item's location.

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (2)

If AirPods that are separated from their owner are seen moving with you over time, one of these alerts is displayed: AirPods Detected, AirPods Pro Detected, or AirPods Max Detected.

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (3)

If a Find My network accessory or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device that's separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, this alert is displayed: "Product Name" Found Moving With You (where "Product Name" is the name of the Find My network accessory or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device that has been detected).

If a set of AirPods, a Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is detected but the Find My app has issues connecting to them or to the server at that time, this alert is displayed: Unknown Accessory Detected. This alert will display only if a set of AirPods, a Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is detected near you, not an AirTag. These could be borrowed AirPods, or AirPods inadvertently left behind by a friend or family member.

Find the unknown AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device

If you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is traveling with you, follow these steps to find it. First, check on the Find My app if you're able to play a sound on the unknown accessory:

  1. Tap the alert.

  2. Tap Continue and then tap Play Sound.

  3. Listen for the sound. You can play it again if you need more time to find the item.

If the option to play a sound isn't available, the item might not be with you anymore. Or if it was with you overnight, its identifier might have changed. Find My uses the identifier to determine that it's the same item moving with you. If the item is within range of its owner, you also won't be able to play a sound.

If the unknown accessory is an AirTag and you have a supported iPhone model with Ultra Wideband, you can also tap Find Nearby to use Precision Finding to help you locate the unknown AirTag.

  1. Tap the alert.

  2. Tap Continue, then tap Find Nearby.

  3. Follow the onscreen instructions and move around the space until your iPhone connects to the unknown AirTag.

  4. Your iPhone displays the distance and direction to the unknown AirTag. Use that information to get closer to the unknown AirTag until you find it.

    • When the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, you can play a sound on the AirTag by tapping the Play Sound buttonWhat to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (4).

    • If your iPhone says that more light is required, tap the Turn Flashlight On buttonWhat to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (5).

  5. When you're done, tap the Done buttonWhat to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (6).

If the option to play a sound isn't available or you're unable to hear the sound, or if you can't locate the item with Precision Finding, and you believe the item is still with you, look through your belongings to try to find it. Check on your person, or in anything in your possession that could contain this device. It could be in an item that you don’t check often, like a jacket pocket, the outer compartment of a bag, or your vehicle. If you can't find the device and if you feel your safety is at risk, go to a safe public location and contact law enforcement.

If you hear an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device emitting a sound

To alert people nearby, an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device separated for a period of time from its owner will emit a sound when it's moved.

Get information about or disable an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device

If you have found an unknown AirTag, you can follow these steps to see information about it, or to disable it:

  1. If you have found an AirTag, hold the top of your iPhone or NFC-capable smartphone near the white side of the AirTag until a notification appears.

  2. Tap the notification. This opens a website that provides information about the AirTag, including its serial number and the last four digits of the phone number of the person who registered it. This can help you identify the owner, if you know them. You might want to take a screenshot to make sure that you can document the information.

    What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (7)
  3. If the owner marked the AirTag as lost, you might see a message with information about how to contact the owner.

To learn more about a set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device that’s been separated from its owner, scroll to the bottom of the Items tab, then tap Identify Found Item.

If you need to see a list of all AirTag, Find My Network accessories, and compatible Bluetooth location-tracking devices about which you have been notified, launch the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Items. Scroll to the bottom and tap Items Detected With You. Items that have recently triggered an unwanted tracking alert will be listed. If the option to play a sound isn't available, the item might not be with you anymore, might be near its owner, or if it was with you overnight, its identifier might have changed.

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (8)

To disable the AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-sharing device and stop it from sharing its location, tap Instructions to Disable and follow the onscreen steps. After the AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is disabled, the owner can no longer get updates on its current location. You will also no longer receive any unwanted tracking alerts for this item.

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (9)

Disable instructions and additional information for compatible Bluetooth location-tracking devices will come from its respective finder network and will not have been certified by Apple. Product images, instructions, and descriptions may not be available, or may not be available in all languages.

If you feel your safety is at risk, contact your local law enforcement, who can work with Apple to request information related to the item. You might need to provide the AirTag, set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory, and the device's serial number.

Disabling the Find My network on your device, turning off Bluetooth, or turning off Location Services on your iPhone will not prevent the owner of the AirTag, AirPods, or Find My network accessory from being able to see the location of that AirTag or accessory. You must disable the item by following the instructions above.

Check for nearby AirTag or Find My network accessories with an Android device

If you use an Android device, you can download the Tracker Detect app from the Google Play Store. Tracker Detect looks for item trackers within Bluetooth range that are separated from their owner and that are compatible with Apple's Find My network. These include AirTag and compatible item trackers that use the Find My network. If you think someone is using an AirTag or another item tracker to track your location, you can scan to try to find it. If the app detects an AirTag or compatible item tracker near you for at least 10 minutes, you can play a sound to help find it.

Go to Google Play to download the Tracker Detect app

Additional resources

If you feel that your safety is at risk, these additional resources might be helpful:

* The Find My network isn't supported in South Korea.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsem*nt. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date:

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you - Apple Support? ›

This feature is available for Apple tracking devices and other Bluetooth trackers. If your Android smartphone detects an AirTag moving with you that has been separated from its owner, it will let you scan for the tracker and play a sound to find it -- all without ever letting the owner know it's been found.

Why did I get a notification that an AirTag was detected near me? ›

This feature is available for Apple tracking devices and other Bluetooth trackers. If your Android smartphone detects an AirTag moving with you that has been separated from its owner, it will let you scan for the tracker and play a sound to find it -- all without ever letting the owner know it's been found.

Why does it say AirPods are detected near me? ›

Similarly, if another Apple device, most commonly AirPods, are within your vicinity for a period of time and have tried unsuccessfully to pair with your device, you may receive an “Unknown Accessory Detected Near You” or “AirPods Detected” notification.

How do you stop an AirTag from tracking you? ›

If the AirTag is not in Lost Mode and you don't know where it came from, you should tap on "Disable AirTag" and follow the steps to prevent it from continuing to track your location. These instructions will walk you through removing the AirTag's battery to disable it.

How to tell if AirTag is tracking you? ›

If you see an alert

If an AirTag that's separated from its owner is seen moving with you over time, or if your iPhone is awake and an AirTag that isn't with its owner for a period of time emits a sound to indicate that it has moved, this alert is displayed: AirTag Found Moving With You.

What happens if an AirTag is near you? ›

How do you know if you are being tracked by an AirTag? Apple issues alerts to let someone know that there's an AirTag near them that isn't associated with their iCloud account. These alerts happen after some period of time or while you're moving and the AirTag is moving with you.

Can you get a false AirTag notification? ›

Yes, false alerts can happen. They're often caused by a nearby AirTag on a lost item or an AirTag belonging to someone you're traveling with, like a family member.

How do I protect myself from AirTag tracking? ›

Remove yourself from a Sharing Group using Safety Check

Note: After you remove yourself, you can't see the location of the AirTag, and unwanted tracking alerts resume. You may want to see if the AirTag is near you before removing yourself from the share. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.

How do I find a hidden AirTag in my car? ›

AirTags use Bluetooth signals to connect to Apple's Find My Network. You can use Bluetooth tracking apps to scan for any unknown AirTags in your vicinity. If you have an Android phone, download the app to detect the AirTag which can be found at the Google Play store.

Can I detect an AirTag that isn't mine? ›

If you use an Android™ device, you can download the Tracker Detect app to get notifications if an unknown AirTag is tracking you.

How do you scan for AirTags? ›

Use Tracker Detect on Android to scan for AirTags

Just hit Scan and search for nearby AirTags. After downloading Tracker Detect, turn on Bluetooth, open the application, agree to the terms and conditions, and tap the blue Scan button to search for nearby items.

How do I disable AirPod tracking? ›

If you don't have access to the Find My app for whatever reason, you can stop AirPods tracking you via iCloud instead like this:
  1. Go to iCloud.com in your web browser and sign in.
  2. Click on Find My.
  3. Select your AirPods, then click Erase This Device.
  4. Click Next and follow the prompts.
Dec 15, 2023

What does notify when found on AirTag mean? ›

The next time the AirTag is located (e.g., its signal is received by another iPhone with access to the Internet,) you will receive a notification and you can see where the AirTag is located.

Why did I get a Find My iPhone alert? ›

A Find My iPhone alert means that your iPhone has been located if you ever lost it or it got stolen. It can also indicate a change in your iCloud settings from unauthorized access. Sometimes, you may get these alerts randomly due to an issue with the iPhone's system.

How long before an AirTag alerts? ›

You get a notification on your iPhone.

At first, it used to take eight to 24 hours to get alerted about an unknown AirTag. Now it takes just 15 minutes for you to receive a notification that an AirTag/unknown device is moving with you and that the owner of it can see your location.

How far can an AirTag track? ›

Apple has not specified the exact Bluetooth range of an AirTag but it's believed that each AirTag supports Bluetooth 5.0 (same as the latest iPhones). The Bluetooth range is around 30 feet.

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