AirTag Found Moving With You: What To Do To Ensure Your Safety

In today’s digital world, technology is woven into the fabric of our daily lives, offering convenience and connectivity like never before. But with these advancements come new challenges and concerns, particularly regarding privacy and security. 

One such concern is the potential misuse of Apple’s AirTag — a small device designed to help you track your belongings — which, in the wrong hands, could be used to track you without you knowing. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you receive an alert that an unknown AirTag is moving with you, it’s essential to know what to do and how to ensure your safety swiftly and effectively.

What Is an AirTag and How Does It Work?

Apple’s AirTag is a small, coin-sized device you can attach to keys, wallets or bags to keep track of them through the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices, which then relay the tag’s location to its owner.

AirTags are incredibly useful when used as intended — for tracking lost or misplaced items. However, the same technology that makes these tags convenient also makes them vulnerable to misuse. If someone places one in your bag, car or on your belongings without your knowledge, they could potentially track your movements without your consent.

Why You Might Get an AirTag Alert

Receiving a notification that an AirTag is found moving with you might seem like something out of a spy movie, but it’s a real concern. There are a few scenarios where this could happen:

Accidental Tracking

Someone you know may have accidentally left an AirTag in your bag or car. For instance, a family member could have placed one in your vehicle to track its location without realizing you’d be using it.

Malicious Intent

Unfortunately, there are cases where individuals with ill intentions use AirTags to track others secretly. It could be an attempt to monitor your movements for various reasons, ranging from stalking to theft.

Lost Item

It’s also possible that someone lost an item with an AirTag attached, and it ended up near you by coincidence. In such cases, the alert simply notifies you that the tag is in proximity, but no malicious intent is involved.

What To Do If an AirTag Is Found Moving With You

No matter the reason, if you get an AirTag alert, you must take it seriously and follow these steps to ensure your safety:

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The first thing you need to do is remain calm. It’s natural to feel alarmed, but panicking won’t help. Instead, take a moment to assess the situation. The alert on your iPhone should provide information about the AirTag, including how long it’s been moving with you and whether it’s nearby.

2. Search for the AirTag

Once you’ve received the alert, the next step is physically searching for the AirTag. Use the information provided by your iPhone to locate the device. The tag could be hidden in your bag, vehicle, coat or jacket pocket, or any other personal item. Since they are small and easy to conceal, take your time and be as thorough as possible in your search.

To help locate the AirTag, you can play a sound from the device directly through the Find My app. This feature is particularly useful if the tag is hidden in a hard-to-see location.

3. Disable the AirTag

If you find the AirTag and it’s not yours, disable it immediately. Disabling it is straightforward — twist the back of the device counterclockwise to open it, then remove the battery. Once the battery is removed, the tag can no longer send signals to its owner, effectively stopping any tracking.

If you’re unsure how to disable an AirTag, many helpful YouTube tutorials walk you through the process.

4. Consider Contacting Authorities

Contact your local law enforcement if you suspect the tag was placed on you intentionally and with malicious intent. Provide them with the AirTag and any details about when and where you found it. The authorities can use the serial number on the tag to trace it back to its original owner, which could be crucial in identifying and stopping any potential wrongdoing.

Sometimes, law enforcement may advise you to keep the AirTag for further investigation. If this happens, make sure to document everything you’ve done, including the steps taken to find and disable the device.

How To Prevent Unwanted AirTag Tracking

While it’s important to know what to do if an AirTag is found moving with you, it’s also necessary to take steps to prevent unwanted tracking from happening in the first place:

Keep Your Devices Updated

Apple frequently releases software updates to enhance security features, including those related to AirTags. To benefit from these updates, ensure your iPhone and other Apple devices are running the latest software. You can easily check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Enable Safety Alerts

Ensure notifications are enabled for “Find My” alerts on your device. This setting ensures you’re notified if an unknown AirTag is detected near you. You can check or enable this setting by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services and confirming that “Find My iPhone” is turned on.

Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

While technology plays a significant role in protecting your privacy, staying aware of your surroundings is equally important. Pay attention to anything unusual, especially in public spaces or unfamiliar areas. If you notice something suspicious, such as finding an unknown AirTag in your belongings, act quickly and follow the steps above.

What If You Don’t Have an iPhone?

One concern with AirTags is that their tracking alerts are primarily designed for iPhone users. However, Apple has acknowledged this gap and released an app called Tracker Detect for Android devices. 

This app allows Android users to scan for nearby AirTags and receive alerts if an unknown one is detected. While it’s not as seamless as the iPhone’s integration, it provides a critical layer of protection for non-Apple users. You can download the Tracker Detect app from the Google Play Store.

Protecting Your Privacy

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, protecting your privacy and security is more important than ever. While Apple’s AirTags are a powerful tool for keeping track of your belongings, they can also be misused in ways that compromise your safety. If you ever receive a notification that one is found moving with you, remember to act quickly and follow the necessary steps to protect yourself. 

Remember, your privacy is your right. Stay informed about the technology you use, and don’t hesitate to take action or ask for help if something feels off. By staying vigilant and knowing what to do when an AirTag is found moving with you, you can ensure your safety and security remain in your control.