Tracker Detect on Android, Apple’s anti AirTags app!

Apple launched its AirTags in April 2021 in order to continue to expand its ecosystem of products to serve its loyal consumers who are always on the lookout for the slightest novelty. Under the air of a keychain that looks like nothing, you will not find anything less here than Bluetooth beacons connected to the network Locate and that you can follow on your iPhones. Very practical if you are afraid of losing your keys, your handbag, the baby’s blanket or any other object that you think is worthy of being found if you lose it. Equipped with a speaker, your AirTag will emit a sound to guide you to it. Of course, it can be customized with your own engraving or in key rings of different colors, because otherwise it would not be “fashion”. Finally, it does not store any data and guarantees the confidentiality of each product to its owner. Except that its use has been, precisely thanks to that, completely diverted.

A drink in the Apple

It was indeed very easy for thieves and paranoid perverts to understand that AirTags could become very cheap cookies since they cost “only” 35 €. So nothing prevents you from placing one discreetly in someone’s coat to find out if they are at lu’s house. Since the range of these small devices is 100 meters maximum. You can tell if the AirTag is in the apartment or the house by staying on the landing. Car thieves have even been seen to use this ploy to precisely locate luxury cars in the property of their owners. Because even if the range is limited, if another iPhone passes by your AirTag, you will be informed of its position on your smartphone! The possibilities are endless for those who want to use it badly. Well aware of the problem, the AirTag app has an option that lets you know if you are near one of these beacons which is itself far from its official owner. Except that this application was until now only available on iPhones. What about potential Android victims?

Apple protects the enemy

The apple brand was already present on the Google Play Store with the Beats, Migrate to iOS and Apple Music applications. Today, the offer is expanding with a fourth called Tracker Detect. It works on the Find My network and scans around the user for AirTags which, if found, will appear as Unknown on your phone screen.

Next, a new scan is performed after 10 minutes to see if the device has moved or not. As long as it hasn’t moved an iota, you will be given instructions to make it make a sound so that you can find it on your own. Once in your hands, you can discover information by placing your phone on it by NFC. Finally, you will only have to remove the battery to deactivate it completely. You have every right after that to contact the police if you feel tracked down and in danger.

Apple therefore now allows all smartphone owners, under iOS or Android, to know if they are being tracked by their own product. On the Google Play Store, the Tracker Detect app has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times in one week. However, it is currently only available in English.

On the Play Store, a comment made us smile: “ Forced to install an app to protect against thieves using Apple products… Well done, Apple! “Indeed it is nerd, but it should be noted that more efficient GPS trackers, and hardly more expensive and bulky exist on the market…