This is how Apple’s AirTag anti-stalking measures work

Prevent AirTag stalking

With the AirTag you can keep an eye on the location of important objects, such as your keys, wallet and bag. AirTags are used to track objects. They are not intended to be used on humans and pets. But what if someone wants to keep an eye on your actions and a AirTag hidden in your bag? Apple has taken this into account to prevent someone from following you unnoticed. This should prevent unwanted stalking. People who want to abuse the AirTag run into a number of obstacles. But the system is not completely watertight either.

What to do if you find a ‘strange’ AirTag

Suppose you find an AirTag among your things. To find out the owner, hold your iPhone against the AirTag after which you will see the serial number. If the AirTag is in Lost Mode, you will also see contact information and a message from the owner. This is only visible if the AirTag in lost mode state. If not, you will only see the serial number.

If someone wants to follow you unnoticed, Lost Mode will usually not be enabled. All you can do is follow the on-screen instructions to deactivate the AirTag. This basically means that you have the AirTag battery out.

You could file a report and report the serial number to the police. But without Apple’s cooperation, the police can’t figure out which one Apple ID the tracker is paired.

AirTag moves with you, now what?

Whoever wants to follow you will probably have the AirTag well hidden, for example in the lining of your bag or jacket. In that case, there is little chance that you will discover the AirTag quickly. Apple found something on it.

If an AirTag moves with you all the time while it is not yours, you will be notified that an unknown AirTag has been found nearby. This usually happens after three days, during which time you will hear a sound. You can then locate the AirTag and turn it off using the instructions above. The sound will repeat regularly. The warning also comes when, for example, you arrive at home or arrive at another location where you often visit, such as your work.

Are you iPhoneuser, you will also receive notifications on the screen that an AirTag is traveling with you. Can’t find the AirTag? Then you can play a sound on it, so you know where to look.

Are you curious what happens if someone found your AirTag? We have a separate tip about that!

Turn off notifications for roommates

If you often lend items to others, you can prevent this person from getting notifications all the time. You can set this as follows:

1. Open the Find My app.
2. Go to the Me tab.
3. Scroll down and flip the switch Security notices for objects from.

You can also wait until you get a notification and then take action.

If a notification comes in that an AirTag is traveling with you, you can indicate that the notifications should be paused for a day. Borrow an AirTag from a person with whom you Sharing with family you can choose whether you want to disable the notifications for one day or indefinitely.

This is therefore only possible when you receive the notification. There is no setting with which you can arrange this in advance.

How well do the AirTag anti-stalking measures work?

Apple has carefully considered possible unwanted tracking of people with the AirTag. Yet there are still some snags to the system.

These are the pluses:

• Apple is the first tracker manufacturer to pay attention to this.
• The measures also take non-iPhone users into account.
• The notifications only appear when the owner is not near the AirTag. If you always go for a walk with the same person, then there is no stalking and you will not receive any reports of unwanted AirTags.
• You can turn off anti-tracking for housemates, which can be useful if you lend your car keys, for example.

However, there are also some downsides:

• The notifications will only appear after three days or when you arrive at a known location, such as your home. By that time, the stalker already knows where you live, work and go to school.
• If you live with the stalker, the notifications will not appear. The AirTags will connect to the iPhone from the owner. The time period for notifications is reset. So you will not have to come near the owner for more than 3 days to get the notifications anyway. This also means that a housemate or partner can follow unnoticed where you are during the day.
• The victim cannot easily find out who posted the AirTag.

The inadequacy of anti-stalking on the AirTag has also been shown by a Washington Post test, in which a editor was followed for days by a colleague. This was done with the knowledge of all involved, but it shows that it is possible to find out where someone is. You do not get many notifications and if the AirTag is properly wrapped in textile or sound-absorbing fabric, the warning sounds may hardly be heard.

More tips for your AirTag
We have recently written a lot of tips for the AirTag. Also try this one:

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