this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2024
55 points (98.2% liked)

Privacy

32173 readers
773 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Archive link: https://ghostarchive.org/archive/hWxVX

Owners of newer iPhones should turn on Bluetooth and check their settings to ensure they’ll receive notifications. Under Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and toggle Location Services on. Scroll to the bottom of that page, tap on System Services, and activate Find My iPhone. Also, search for the Find My app, visit Me in the bottom right corner, then tap Customize Tracking Notifications to double-check that notifications are enabled. Also, make sure that you don’t have Airplane mode activated, or you won’t receive any notifications.

When you click on the iPhone alert for an unrecognized AirTag, you may be given the option to play a sound on the AirTag to help locate it. If you own a more recent smartphone from Apple, you might be able to use precision location data to find the hidden device.

Months after the release of the AirTag, Apple launched the Tracker Detect app for Android phones, where users had to initiate the scan. Google and Apple since have continued working together to make it easier for Android phones to detect unwanted AirTag trackers and for Apple phones to spot Android trackers. Recently, Google rolled out automatic smartphone alerts for unknown Bluetooth trackers, similar to what iPhone owners receive for AirTags.

top 16 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago (3 children)

What is the intended use for these?
all I ever see these used is for nefarious shut like tracking a person or car or something.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 minutes ago

anything you might want to track/find. keychain. luggage. a purse. a pet. where you parked. they have card sized ones to put in your wallet. maybe they should put them in remote controls.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 24 minutes ago

Tracking your property, in case it gets stolen/lost.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 25 minutes ago

tracking a pet

[–] [email protected] 2 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Stupid question: Why does location services have to be on for findmy to be able show me my airtag’s location? So it can show it in relation to me? Still, I’m home, bluetooth is on, wifi is on, why can’t it show it to me?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

Probably because the airtags don't use GPS them selves, they are detected by a nearby phone and their location is interpreted from the phone's location.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 hours ago

It's likely to be forced participation.

You want to use airtags and benefit from other phones providing tag locations? Then you have to supply data to the airtag network as well. Quid pro quo and all that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 13 hours ago

but that wouldn’t have to me my iPhone?

[–] [email protected] -4 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

What if my phone is android?

[–] Treczoks 22 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

How about reading the text to the end:

Months after the release of the AirTag, Apple launched the Tracker Detect app for Android phones, where users had to initiate the scan. Google and Apple since have continued working together to make it easier for Android phones to detect unwanted AirTag trackers and for Apple phones to spot Android trackers. Recently, Google rolled out automatic smartphone alerts for unknown Bluetooth trackers, similar to what iPhone owners receive for AirTags.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

There is also a FOSS app called Airguard on F-Droid that I found works well.

[–] slazer2au 7 points 17 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 14 hours ago

Yes. I've only tested it manually scanning to save battery life though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 18 hours ago

I was just wondering about this since I do not use any kind of Google Play Services or the Google Play Store so that is good to know.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

You don't need any app. I recently moved over from iPhone to android, and I have an airtag in my shoulder bag. My razr 2024 has to remind me every day that there is an airtag traveling with me. There is no way for me to tell it to ignore this one since it's mine.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 hours ago

Hey just FYI there is an Air tag traveling with you.