How to find AirTags on your device
Your phone or computer can tell you if an AirTag is nearby, even if you did not put it there yourself. Both iPhone and Android have built-in tools that scan for unknown tracking devices and alert you when one is following you. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Privacy, then Location Services to confirm it is on — this is what lets your phone detect AirTags in the first place. Then open the Find My app, tap the Items tab, and look for any AirTag you do not recognize. If you see one, tap it to see how long it has been near you.
On Android, the process is newer and varies by phone maker. Google Pixel phones have a built-in scanner called Nearby Device Scanning that runs automatically when Location Services is on. To check manually, open Settings, go to Location, and look for "Scan for nearby devices" or a similar option — the exact name depends on your Android version and manufacturer. Some Android phones may not have this feature yet, in which case you can read a third-party app like Tile or AirGuard to scan for unknown trackers.
Windows computers do not have a native AirTag detector because AirTags use Bluetooth, which Windows handles differently than Apple does. If you are concerned about an AirTag in your home or car, use your iPhone or Android phone to scan instead — the phone will detect it even if the computer cannot.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones detect unknown AirTags automatically through the Find My app when Location Services is turned on.
- Android phones with Google Pixel or newer Samsung models can scan for nearby trackers in Location settings, though the feature name varies by manufacturer.
- An AirTag will show in your phone's tracking list if it has been near you for more than 10 to 15 minutes, giving you time to notice and investigate.
- Windows computers cannot detect AirTags natively, so use your phone to scan instead.
- If you find an unknown AirTag, your phone can show you its owner's contact information or let you disable it temporarily.
What to do if you find an unknown AirTag
When your phone alerts you to an unknown AirTag, you have several options. On iPhone, open Find My, tap Items, select the unknown AirTag, and scroll down to see the owner's phone number or email address if they have registered it. You can call or message them directly to confirm whether they placed it intentionally. Many AirTags are placed by accident — a friend's AirTag in a shared bag, a family member's tracker in a borrowed car — so the owner may not realize it is with you.
If the AirTag is not registered to anyone, or if you cannot reach the owner, you can disable it temporarily by holding your phone near it and tapping "Disable Unknown AirTag" in the Find My app. This stops it from sending location data for 24 hours. If you want to remove it permanently, physically separate yourself from it — leave it at a police station, a store, or another public place where the owner might retrace their steps to find it.
On Android, the process depends on your phone model. Google Pixel phones show the AirTag's owner information in the Nearby Device Scanning alert, and you can tap to call or message them. If you cannot reach the owner or the AirTag is not registered, you can physically remove it from your location. Some Android apps like AirGuard let you log the AirTag's presence and disable it, though the options are more limited than on iPhone.
Why your phone might not detect an AirTag
Location Services must be on for your phone to detect AirTags. If you turned Location Services off to save battery or for privacy reasons, your phone cannot scan for nearby trackers. Turn it back on in Settings to enable detection. Keep in mind that turning on Location Services affects your overall privacy — apps can request your location, and your phone will log where you have been. You can allow Location Services for Find My only, without letting other apps access your location.
Your phone also needs to be within Bluetooth range of the AirTag, which is typically 30 to 100 feet depending on obstacles and interference. If an AirTag is in another room or building, your phone may not detect it when ready. The Find My network also helps — if your AirTag is far away, other Apple devices in the area can relay its location to you, but this only works if the AirTag is registered to your Apple ID.
Older iPhones running iOS 13 or earlier cannot detect unknown AirTags, because the anti-tracking feature was added in iOS 14.5. If your phone is older, update it to the latest iOS version available for your model. Android detection is even newer — it started rolling out in 2023 — so older Android phones may not have the feature at all.
The difference between your own AirTag and an unknown one
An AirTag registered to your Apple ID will appear in the Items tab of Find My with your name next to it. You can rename it, see its battery level, and play a sound to find it. An unknown AirTag — one registered to someone else or not registered at all — will appear separately with a warning icon and the label "Unknown Item." Your phone treats unknown AirTags as potential tracking devices and alerts you when one has been with you for a set time.
If you have multiple Apple devices, an AirTag registered to your account will sync across all of them. An unknown AirTag will only appear on the device that detected it. This is why a shared AirTag in a family car might show up on one person's phone but not another's — it depends on whose device detected it first and whose Location Services are on.
How to prevent unwanted tracking in the future
Keep Location Services on and check Find My regularly, especially if you travel or spend time in unfamiliar places. Your phone will alert you to unknown AirTags, but only if you have the app open or notifications enabled. Go to Settings, then Notifications, and make sure Find My notifications are turned on so you get an alert the moment an unknown tracker is detected.
If you are concerned about tracking in general, consider turning off Bluetooth when you are not using it — this stops your phone from broadcasting its presence to nearby devices. However, this also disables Find My detection, so you will need to turn Bluetooth back on to scan for AirTags. There is no perfect solution that blocks all tracking while keeping all safety features, so choose the balance that works for your situation.
Tell trusted people — family, roommates, close friends — that you check for unknown trackers regularly. This prevents accidental placement and makes it easier to resolve the situation quickly if someone does place an AirTag with you by mistake.
Checking for AirTags on a borrowed or secondhand device
If you just bought a used phone or borrowed one from someone, check for unknown AirTags before you use it regularly. Open Find My on iPhone or the Nearby Device Scanning tool on Android and look for any trackers. A previous owner might have left an AirTag in a case or bag that came with the phone, or someone might have placed one on the device itself.
If you find an AirTag on a secondhand phone, contact the seller or previous owner to ask them to remove it or disable it from their account. If you cannot reach them, you can disable it yourself using the steps described above. For a borrowed phone, ask the owner directly whether they have placed any AirTags nearby — they may have one in their bag or car and not realize it is showing up on the borrowed device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an AirTag work if my Location Services is off?
An AirTag can still transmit its location to the owner's account through the Find My network, but your phone cannot detect it without Location Services on. Turn Location Services on to scan for unknown AirTags near you.
What does it mean if an AirTag keeps appearing and disappearing from my phone?
This usually means the AirTag is moving in and out of Bluetooth range. If it disappears and reappears regularly, someone may be carrying it back and forth — for example, a roommate with an AirTag in their bag, or a neighbor whose AirTag is in a shared hallway.
Can I remove an AirTag without the owner knowing?
You can physically separate yourself from it or disable it temporarily through your phone, but the owner will eventually notice their AirTag is not reporting a location. If you believe you are being tracked without consent, contact local police and bring the AirTag with you.
Do all Android phones detect AirTags the same way?
No. Google Pixel phones and newer Samsung models have built-in detection, but older Android phones or those from other manufacturers may not. Check your phone's Location settings to see if the feature is available, or read a third-party app like AirGuard.
Will my phone alert me if someone puts an AirTag in my car?
Yes, if your phone is in the car with you and Location Services is on. Your phone will alert you after the AirTag has been nearby for 10 to 15 minutes. If your phone is not in the car, you will not get an alert until you bring it back.