AirTags Are Tracking People and Cars—Here’s How You Can Find Hidden Apple AirTags in Your Car

People are finding a lot of uses for Apple’s AirTags, including tracking pets, luggage, and camping gear. With assistance from an Apple AirTag, Aunny Grace shockingly discovered that her lost luggage wound up in a homeless encampment with all its contents missing. Her Apple AirTag led the way. 

As tech devices in our lives become increasingly sophisticated, the opportunity for misuse and abuse also grows. Such is unfortunately the case with AirTags, landing them at the center of a growing privacy controversy.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of AirTags – exploring what they are, why people use (and misuse) them, and most importantly, the concrete steps you can take to combat this growing threat. 

Whether you’re an iPhone user, an Android owner, or simply someone concerned about privacy, this information is crucial for maintaining your personal security in the digital age.

What is an AirTag and Why Should You Care 

AirTags are small, button-sized devices designed by Apple to help users keep track of personal items like keys, wallets, or backpacks. Using Bluetooth connectivity and Apple’s vast Find My network, these ingenious trackers can pinpoint lost items with impressive accuracy, even when they’re far from their owners.

However, this same technology that makes AirTags so useful for finding misplaced belongings has also made them attractive to individuals with malicious intent. Reports have surfaced of AirTags being secretly placed in cars, personal belongings, or even on unsuspecting individuals for unauthorized tracking and stalking.

The implications are chilling: imagine someone slipping an AirTag into your bag or car, suddenly gaining the ability to monitor your movements and routines without your knowledge. It’s a scenario that has raised alarms among privacy advocates and law enforcement agencies alike.

But don’t panic just yet. While the threat is real, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Apple has implemented several safeguards, and both iPhone and Android users have tools at their disposal to detect hidden AirTags.

How to Detect a Hidden AirTag Following You

In the cat-and-mouse game of AirTag detection, not all players are equally equipped. Apple has implemented safeguards for iPhone users, but Android owners face a more challenging landscape.

For the Apple faithful with iPhone 11 or later models running iOS 14.5+, your device acts as a silent sentinel. It’ll ping you with a notification if it detects an AirTag separated from its owner that’s been tagging along on your travels. But beware – this guardian only works if you’ve got the right settings enabled.

Android users, while not completely defenseless, need to take a more active approach. Apple’s Tracker Detect app allows you to scan for nearby rogue AirTags, but it’s not an always-on solution. You’ll need to remember to open the app and initiate a scan manually.

Whether you’re team Apple or team Android, if you get an alert about an unknown AirTag in your vicinity, you can trigger its built-in chime. This audible beacon can help you locate the sneaky device. It’s worth noting that AirTags also play this sound on their own when separated from their owner for an extended period – a failsafe against misuse.

Here’s the kicker: just because you’ve detected an unknown AirTag doesn’t automatically mean you’re being stalked. It could be a genuinely lost item. But if your gut says something’s off, you have options.

You can deactivate the AirTag by removing its battery, which stops it from updating its location and alerts the owner. However, proceed with caution – law enforcement warns that this could tamper with potential evidence if you’re dealing with a case of malicious tracking.

Hunting for a Hidden AirTag In Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide

Yes, “How to find an airtag in my car” is now a question frequently asked online. 

This is a guide to help you find the AirTag you suspect is tracking you.

1. Launch your digital detective: Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Focus your search: Tap the “Items” tab at the bottom of your screen.
3. Identify your target: Select the specific AirTag you’re trying to locate.
4. Visualize the hunt: If the AirTag is within range, it’ll appear as a blip on your digital map.
5. Listen for clues: Can’t spot it? Tap “Play Sound” to make the AirTag sing out its location.
6. Follow the breadcrumbs: Is the AirTag out of immediate reach? Hit “Directions” to navigate to its last known whereabouts.
7. Set a digital trap: If the AirTag is playing hide-and-seek, enable “Notify When Found” to get an alert when it resurfaces.
8. Go old school: When all else fails, conduct a manual sweep of your vehicle, checking nooks and crannies.
9. Decode the alert: If you get a notification about an AirTag moving with you, tap it and select “Continue.” You’ll see a map with red dots and dashed lines, revealing the AirTag’s journey alongside you.

What Do You Do With an AirTag You’ve Discovered

Get the AirTag’s serial number and associated phone number

When you stumble upon an unknown AirTag, you’re holding a key to valuable information – and you can access it without alerting the owner. Here’s how to become a digital detective:

1. Tap into the Tag’s Secrets: Every AirTag is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This isn’t just for pairing; it’s your gateway to hidden data.
2. Smartphone Sleuthing: Whether you’re team Android or Apple, your smartphone can unveil the AirTag’s story. Simply hold your device near the AirTag to trigger the NFC reader.
3. Follow the Digital hints dropped: Your phone will detect a unique URL. Don’t worry – clicking this link won’t set off any alarms for the AirTag’s owner.
4. Decode the Data: The webpage you land on is a treasure trove. It reveals the AirTag’s serial number and, if it’s been reported lost, potentially a contact number.
5. Privacy Preservation: Apple has designed this system to protect everyone’s privacy. The AirTag’s owner won’t know you’ve accessed this info, and there’s no direct link back to them.
6. Building Your Case: If you suspect foul play, this information becomes crucial evidence. The serial number can be vital for legal action or law enforcement involvement.
7. The Digital Paper Trail: Remember, AirTags leave a complex digital footprint. They’re linked to an iPhone or iPad, an iCloud account, and a chain of location data. In cases of misuse, this creates a robust trail for investigators to follow.
8. Encryption and Exposure: While Apple uses top-notch encryption for data in transit, the information on the paired device itself isn’t as heavily fortified. This means determined investigators can potentially trace an AirTag back to its source.

By understanding these steps, you’re not just finding a hidden AirTag – you’re unveiling a digital story that could be crucial for your safety and privacy.

Next Steps

Whatever the case may be, if you’re in need of help, call one of these U.S.-based services the National Domestic Violence Hotline or more specialized resources for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and other violence listed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Be sure to also contact local law enforcement if you’ve been a victim of this type of crime. 

Tune in to this episode of the Easy Prey Podcast to learn more. How Abusers Misuse Technology and What Abuse Survivors Can Do.