Your device is running iOS 17.5 or later (or iPadOS 17.5 or later). Earlier versions back to iOS 14.5 support basic AirTag alerts, but newer versions add broader compatibility with other trackers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Location Services are enabled.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Notifications for Tracking Alerts are allowed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Airplane Mode is turned off.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can check these by opening Settings<\/strong>, then navigating to Privacy & Security<\/strong>, Location Services and Notifications<\/strong>. Apple also recommends turning on Significant Locations<\/strong> in the System Services <\/strong>menu, which helps your device determine when an unknown tracker has traveled with you to places like your home.<\/p>\n Go to Settings<\/strong>, tap Privacy & Security<\/strong>, then select Location Services<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Toggle Location Services<\/strong> on.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Scroll down and tap System Services<\/strong>, then toggle Significant Locations<\/strong> on.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n If these settings are disabled, your iPhone may not be able to alert you when an AirTag or similar device is nearby.<\/p>\n What tracking alerts look like<\/p>\n If your iPhone detects a tracker that doesn\u2019t belong to you moving with you, you may see a notification such as:<\/p>\n AirTag Found Moving With You<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \u201cProduct Name\u201d Found Moving With You<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Unknown Accessory Detected<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Tapping the alert opens the Find My app, which shows a map of where the item was detected near you. The map uses dots to indicate locations where your device noticed the tracker nearby. This doesn\u2019t mean the owner was actively watching your location at those times, only that the tracker was detected in close proximity.<\/p>\n In some cases, the alert may have an innocent explanation. For example, you might be borrowing someone else\u2019s keys, bag or AirPods. If the item belongs to someone in your Family Sharing group, you can temporarily pause alerts for that item by tapping the notification and opting to turn off alerts for that item either for one day or indefinitely.<\/p>\n What to do if you hear an AirTag making a sound<\/p>\n If an AirTag or compatible tracker has been separated from its owner for a period of time and is moved, it may emit a sound on its own. This is another built-in safety feature meant to draw attention to the device.<\/p>\n If you hear an unfamiliar chirping or beeping sound, especially from a bag, jacket pocket or vehicle, it\u2019s worth checking your belongings to see if there\u2019s an AirTag or similar tracker inside.<\/p>\n How to find an unknown AirTag or tracker<\/p>\n If you receive an alert and believe the tracker is still with you, the Find My app offers tools to help locate it.<\/p>\n From the alert, you can choose to play a sound on the device to help pinpoint where it\u2019s hidden.<\/p>\n Tap Continue and then tap Play Sound<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Listen for the sound or play it again to give yourself more time to find the item.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n If the tracker is an AirTag and you have a compatible iPhone with ultra wideband connectivity, you may also see a Find Nearby option, which uses Precision Finding to guide you toward it with distance and direction indicators.<\/p>\n Tap Continue<\/strong> and then tap Find Nearby<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Follow the onscreen instructions. You may need to move around the space until your iPhone connects to the unknown AirTag.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Your iPhone will display the distance and direction of the unknown AirTag, so you can use that information to identify where the unknown AirTag is. When the AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, you can tap the Play Sound<\/strong> button to listen for it. You can also tap the Turn Flashlight On<\/strong> button to provide more light if it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n If neither option is available, or if the tracker can\u2019t be located electronically, manually check your belongings. Look through bags, pockets, jackets and vehicles. If you feel unsafe and can\u2019t find the device, Apple recommends going to a safe public place and contacting local law enforcement.<\/p>\n The new Apple AirTag that works with Find My app. (Apple)<\/p>\n How to get information about an AirTag<\/p>\n If you find an unknown AirTag, you can learn more about it without needing to unlock it or log in.<\/p>\n Hold the top of your iPhone, or any NFC-capable smartphone, near the white side of the AirTag. A notification should appear.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tap the notification to open a webpage with details about the AirTag. This page includes the serial number and the last four digits of the phone number associated with the owner\u2019s Apple Account.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n If the AirTag was marked as lost, the page may also include a message from the owner explaining how to contact them. This can help determine whether the situation is accidental or intentional.<\/p>\n How to disable an AirTag that isn\u2019t yours<\/p>\n If you confirm that an AirTag is tracking you and it doesn\u2019t belong to you, you can disable it so it stops sharing its location.<\/p>\n From the Find My alert or information page, select Instructions to Disable<\/strong> and follow the steps provided. For an AirTag, this usually involves removing the battery, which immediately stops location updates. Disabling Bluetooth or turning off Location Services on your phone does not stop the AirTag from reporting its location. The device itself must be disabled.<\/p>\n If you believe the tracker was used for malicious purposes, keep the AirTag and document its details before contacting law enforcement. Apple states that it can provide information to authorities when legally required<\/a>.<\/p>\n What Android users should know<\/p>\n Android devices running Android 6.0 or later can also receive alerts if a compatible Bluetooth tracker, including an AirTag, appears to be moving with you. These alerts are enabled automatically on supported versions of Android.<\/p>\n\n
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