AirTag Safety // Police Department // UCI (2024)

FAQs

Can police find the owner of AirTag? ›

If an AirTag, set of AirPods, or Find My network accessory is discovered to be unlawfully tracking a person, law enforcement can request any available information from Apple to support their investigation.

Check the Find My app

If you hear an AirTag -- or another sound you can't recognize that you believe could be an AirTag -- you can open the Find My app on your Apple device. Then check the app to see if an AirTag is found.

It's important to note the limits of the AirTag. It's not a true GPS tracker, as it relies on being within 30 feet of someone's iPhone (or iPad or Apple Watch) to deliver its location to the network.

Apple's $29 AirTags have become popular items since their 2021 release, helping users keep tabs on the location of anything from their lost keys to wallets and luggage. But stalkers have also taken advantage of AirTags and similar products to follow individuals without their consent.

The bottom line is that AirTags are tracking devices, and while tracking devices can help you find your keys, they can also be used for nefarious purposes. Regardless of the limited exceptions carved out in the law, you should never use an AirTag to track any person without first consulting with an attorney.

By removing the speaker from the AirTag, you can make it undetectable to thieves. The process is straightforward, and you only need a razor blade and a few minutes of your time. First, remove the rear battery door and the battery itself. You will see a gray interior plastic piece and a white exterior plastic piece.

An AirTag has a different use case than a GPS tracker. Ideal for finding household and small items, but not for finding cars. A Thatcham approved GPS tracker is the much better alternative to an AirTag. Ideal for far away distances (if you are on holiday for example), and for larger items such as vehicles.

The easiest way to find the AirTag that's moving with you is to use audio. The Find My app gives you the option to 'Play Sound'. If you click this option, the AirTag begins to emit a high-pitched chime sound, making it easily detectable if it is anywhere inside your car.

If the AirTag is not in Lost Mode and you don't know where it came from, you should tap on "Disable AirTag" and follow the steps to prevent it from continuing to track your location. These instructions will walk you through removing the AirTag's battery to disable it.

While the Airtag is a useful tool for finding lost items, it also has some important limitations and restrictions to consider: - Limited range: The Airtag uses Bluetooth technology to connect to nearby Apple devices. This means that its range is limited to about 10 meters indoors and about 30 meters outdoors.

How long do AirTag batteries last? ›

But, AirTags only work if they have enough battery power, which only lasts up to one year (a fact I learned recently when I was traveling in Europe). Here's an inside tip — instead of buying a new AirTag for $28 when the battery dies, you can simply replace the battery.

Can you track one miles away? AirTags do not have a defined range because of how they connect to Apple's Find My network. You can locate an AirTag that's thousands of miles away or even internationally, providing it is within Bluetooth range of an iPhone.

Tracking devices, like Apple AirTags, are usually used to keep tabs on things in case they get lost. Now, in some cases, police are also taking advantage of the technology to track down thieves and recover stolen property.

AirTags stalking lawsuit alleges Apple's negligence in protecting victims. Each year, an estimated 13.5 million people in the US are victim to stalking. This is a worrying fact stated in the introduction of a lawsuit against Apple brought by stalking victims who charge that AirTags empowered their abusers.

It is possible for stalkers to track someone's movements with the AirTag by placing it on their belongings and using the Apple “Find My” app. This is a serious invasion of privacy, and it can be very dangerous for the victim. New tech can help us in our daily lives, but it's important to be aware of the malicious uses.

If you were able to find that AirTag, you can turn it off. Before you do, though, be sure to take note of the AirTag serial number and the phone number associated with it. You can send this information to law enforcement. After you've turned off the AirTag, you won't be able to access this information.

To summarize, only an AirTag's owner can tap its location under normal circ*mstances — neither the family members nor someone else. It's linked only to one Apple ID. Further, other phones or devices in the Find My network that relay an AirTag's location remain anonymous to ensure privacy.