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    AirTag Stalking Defense

    Find hidden trackers in your bag, car, or coat — in plain English.

    What is an AirTag?

    A small round white tracker (about the size of a quarter) made by Apple. People use them to find lost keys or luggage. But unfortunately, some abusers slip them into bags, coats, or cars to follow people. Tile and Samsung SmartTag work similarly.

    If you have an iPhone

    Your iPhone automatically warns you if an unknown AirTag has been with you for a while.

    • You'll see a notification: "AirTag Found Moving With You".
    • Tap the notification → tap "Continue" → you can play a sound to find the tag, or see where it\'s been with you.
    • Even without a notification, you can check yourself: open the Find My app → tap "Items" → "Items Detected With You".

    If you have an Android phone

    Android also detects unknown AirTags now.

    • Install the free Apple app "Tracker Detect" from the Google Play Store, or use the built-in scanner.
    • Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts (on most Android 14+ phones).
    • Tap "Scan now" — it looks for nearby AirTags or compatible trackers.

    Where to physically search

    If you got an alert, look in these spots:

    • Inside coat pockets, purse linings, backpack pockets.
    • Inside your car: under seats, glove compartment, between cushions, in the trunk\'s wheel well, behind the bumper, magnetic to the underside of the car.
    • Inside hat brims or shoes.
    • In gifts you recently received from someone you don\'t fully trust.
    • You can also play a sound from the alert — the AirTag will beep.

    If you find one — important

    1. Don\'t throw it out yet. The serial number can help police find who bought it.
    2. If you feel unsafe — go to a public place (police station, friend\'s house) before disabling it.
    3. To disable an AirTag: hold it shiny side up, twist the metal back counter-clockwise, lift off, and pull out the battery.
    4. Call 911 if you\'re in immediate danger.
    5. Otherwise, contact local police (non-emergency line) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

    False alarm

    Sometimes you get an "AirTag Found Moving With You" alert because you borrowed someone's car or rode in a friend's, and their AirTag traveled with you. Always check who owns it before assuming the worst — but don't ignore the alert either.