How to find AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers with your Android phone

AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers can be a lifesaver when you’ve accidentally lost your keys, purse, or even your luggage.

Although they’re commonly called Bluetooth trackers, AirTags and other similar devices use both Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) for location tracking.

Due to their small size, Bluetooth trackers can be easily lost or misplaced, or even stolen.

Google and Apple are aware of these issues. That’s why both companies have introduced features to help you find rogue AirTags.

But outside official channels, there are also third-party apps that help you detect other Bluetooth trackers.

Our guide walks you through the most common ways to find Bluetooth trackers, whether you use a budget Android phone or a high-end model.

How do Bluetooth trackers work?

Bluetooth trackers help you keep track of your belongings.

There are many options to choose from. You can get an Apple AirTag or explore options from manufacturers like Samsung, Chipolo, and Tile.

All trackers have an internal power source (a battery), a chip, and an antenna to function correctly. Some models come with a built-in speaker, making them easier to locate.

Additionally, Bluetooth trackers are paired with a mobile app that allows you to track the location of the object they are attached to.

Most trackers work on the same principle. They use a low-energy form of Bluetooth (Bluetooth LE) and/or UWB to connect to your smartphone.

Each Bluetooth tracker comes with its own universally unique identifier, a UUID, which makes sure the tracker cannot be tracked by others and its location is only known to the owner.

However, the owner of the tracker can decide to share it with their friends and family, allowing them to track it from their phones.

Bluetooth trackers also connect to devices from other people, but they do it in a way that keeps your identity secret.

For instance, AirTags use Bluetooth signals to link with any nearby device in Apple’s Find My network without revealing your details.

For this to work, it utilizes Apple’s “Precision Finding” feature, thanks to the built-in UWB capability on newer iPhones (iPhone 11 and later).

Since the release of iOS 17, Apple has let you share AirTags with up to five people in your household.

Credit: Apple

And while Apple had a significant head start, Samsung’s SmartTag 2 also uses UWB and Bluetooth for location tracking.

There’s also Tile, which has its own crowdsourced network and works with any phone that has Bluetooth connectivity.

Google introduced Unknown tracker alerts for Android users during I/O 2023. A wider rollout of the feature occurred in August 2023.

You’ll receive an unknown tracker alert when someone else’s tracker device is separated from them and detected as traveling with you, outside of Bluetooth range from the owner.

The safety feature is available on Android 6.0 and above. However, Unknown tracker alerts only work with Apple AirTags, Find Hub network-compatible tags, and headphones.

During our testing, we found that the alerts are activated by default. You can also choose to deactivate them from the settings.

How to find a tracker when you receive an alert

1. If you see the tracker alert on your phone, tap it to open the map.
2. On the map, find where the tracker has been detected traveling with you.
3. Tap Play Sound and follow the sound made by the tracker to locate it.

   Credit: Google

How to manually scan for the tracker

Google also lets you manually check for Bluetooth trackers that are separated from their owners and currently near you.

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety & emergency.
3. Select Unknown tracker alerts.
   

   
4. Tap Scan now. Your Android device takes about 10 seconds to complete a manual scan.
5. You’ll find nearby trackers in the search results. Since this feature is only compatible with AirTags, you won’t see trackers from other manufacturers.
   

   
6. Tap the unknown tracker in the list and tap Play Sound to locate it.

Apple’s AirTags are designed for iPhones. But Android users can find unexpected AirTags around them using the free Tracker Detect app.

The app works with any item tracker that supports Apple’s Find My network, including AirTags and devices from other manufacturers, such as Chipolo and Pebblebee.

1. Download the Tracker Detect app from the Play Store.
2. Open the application and agree to the terms and conditions.
3. Tap the blue Scan button to search for nearby items. If this is your first time using the app, you’re asked to give access to Bluetooth.
   

   
4. After the search is complete, you’ll see nearby AirTags and other Bluetooth tracking devices in the results. If you don’t find anything, try the scan again later. The tracker must be separated from its owner for more than 15 minutes to appear.
5. Tap any AirTag or Bluetooth tracker the app finds.
6. Tap Play Sound to make the tracker ping to help find it. The tracker must be within Bluetooth range of your phone for 10 minutes or more to play a sound.

Many third-party apps can help you find Bluetooth trackers. In this tutorial, we used LightBlue, a free app available on the Play Store. The app lets you detect trackers from any manufacturer.

LightBlue shows you all Bluetooth devices within range, including smartwatches, earbuds, and keyboards.

To find your Bluetooth tracker, you’ll need to move away from other devices.

1. Download the LightBlue app from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and tap the Peripherals button at the bottom to find nearby trackers.
3. You’ll see the list of nearby Bluetooth devices displayed in real-time. AirTags or other Bluetooth trackers usually appear as an Unnamed.
   

   
4. To locate the Bluetooth tracker near you, keep an eye on the RSSI value (the value displayed in dBm) and signal strength bars next to the tracker in the list.

After you’ve selected an unnamed Bluetooth tracker, you will need to walk around with the app to locate it.

As you approach the tracker, the RSSI value becomes less negative, and when you’re within a specific range, more of the signal bars turn blue.

Related

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What to do when you find a Bluetooth tracker?

If you find a tracker, you can decide what to do with it.

For example, you can tap the Bluetooth tracker with an NFC-compatible Android phone to view its serial number or information, including the last four digits of its owner’s phone number.

You can also remove the back cover and look for the serial number inside the tracker.

Apple recommends removing an unknown AirTag’s battery. You can remove the cover by pushing down and twisting the tracker counterclockwise.

These instructions may not apply to all Bluetooth trackers. However, removing the battery should disable location tracking on most devices.

You can also contact your local law enforcement agency if you find an unknown tracker nearby. Apple works with law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist with AirTag issues.

Related

9 creative ways to use Android Find My Device trackers

Some of which are actually useful

A Bluetooth tracker is like a double-edged sword. While it helps you find your belongings, nefarious folks could use it to stalk you.

You might be aware that Google also tracks your web browsing history, location, app activities, and more on your Android phone. It almost feels like your own phone is spying on you.

So keep that in mind while Google services are still in use. Limit your usage when necessary.