How to Find a Tracker On Your Car (2024)

With the rise of the smartphone comes more connected devices, including small tracking devices. These little beacons can be used for almost anything, from finding lost keys to tracking your luggage on an airline trip. A tracker is also a useful security device for a car since it can help you locate your ride if it gets stolen. Because they’re small and easily concealed, thieves are unlikely to notice or look for an item barely larger than a bottle cap when they’re driving away.

Trackers work primarily using Bluetooth and/or ultra-wideband technology to communicate to the owner’s phone. If the owner’s phone and the tracker get separated, the tracker can update its location by anonymously connecting to other phones that have the same app. The best known examples of these trackers are Apple AirTags and Tile products, but others from Samsung, Chipolo, Pebblebee and Eufy offer similar functionality.

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What is a Tracker?

AirTags and their ilk do have limitations—mainly that they are passive devices. To update the location, a tracker needs to be near a compatible phone. If your car gets driven into the wilderness, these kinds of trackers won’t be any help. They also chirp when marked as lost by the owner or when they can’t connect to the owner’s phone for a certain period of time, which could alert thieves that they’re being digitally followed. Still, it’s good enough that some car insurance companies will offer a small policy discount for cars carrying an AirTag or similar tracker.

There are also GPS-based trackers that can report a vehicle’s location independent of a smartphone. GPS trackers usually require some kind of subscription and either need to be wired into the vehicle’s power or recharged regularly, because they are actively tracking GPS satellites and pushing location to a server on a regular basis. In addition to tracking a stolen car, these are also useful for monitoring driving habits of fleet vehicle drivers or teens, for example.

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How to Find a Tracker?

But what if someone puts a tracker on your car without your knowledge or consent? In December 2021, police in Canada’s York region reported five instances in which would-be thieves surreptitiously placed AirTags on cars in order to later break into and steal them after the owners drove home and left the vehicles unattended.

While troubling to think that a tracker could be used for nefarious reasons, the good news is that most trackers have precautions built in to discourage stalking. AirTags, for example, will emit a noise when separated from the owner after 8 to 24 hours, alerting anyone else to their presence. Apple phones will also alert you if you’re moving with a nearby AirTag that doesn’t belong to you. If you click on that notification, Apple’s Find My app will show you where you first picked up the unwanted tracker. To make sure you get notified, you must have location services and other settings enabled on your phone, and have Bluetooth turned on.

Android users can scan for nearby AirTags (and AirPods) if they download the Tracker Detect app in the Google Play store. Similarly, Tile has a feature in its iOS and Android apps called “Scan & Secure” that will help locate any nearby trackers that are moving with you. It does require downloading an extra app, but this feature works even if you don’t have a Tile device or account.

Soon, it will be easier to find nearby trackers. Earlier this year, Apple and Google announced a proposal to standardize tracking devices so that they can be monitored and discovered on multiple platforms, not just in their specific apps or phone operating systems, and several companies that sell trackers have already signed on to participate.

GPS trackers might not give themselves away as easily, although most battery-powered ones will make noise when they run low on power. And, once a GPS tracker runs out of juice, it stops tracking. They are also generally larger in size and harder to conceal.

If you are suspicious that someone has placed a tracker in your car, it doesn’t hurt to do a thorough inspection inside and out. Start with obvious places, such as the glove box, center console or cargo area. Then move on to areas like under the seats, seatback pockets or behind any carpet or trim panels that are easy to move. Check underneath the car and in the engine compartment as well.

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What to Do if You Find a Tracker on Your Car

If you think that you picked up the device by accident, the apps that alert you to the tracker can also help you notify the owner. You don’t need to return it in person, as you can leave the device almost anywhere for the owner to track and collect it.

If you find a tracker in your car or other belongings and suspect that someone is tracking you without your consent, the first thing to do is contact help and get to a safe location. Bear in mind if someone is tracking you they can likely see where you’re going, so use your best judgment on the safest course of action. For example, it might be more prudent to go to a public area and wait for police to meet you rather than go straight to a police station.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 888-799-7233, also provides 24/7 support for people who believe they may be at risk.

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How to Find a Tracker On Your Car (2024)

FAQs

Is there an app that can detect a tracking device on a car? ›

Tracker Detect looks for items that are separated from their owner and that are compatible with Apple's Find My network. These items include AirTag and compatible devices from others.

Can a cell phone detect a GPS tracker? ›

An unknown tracker alert is sent when someone else's tracker device is separated from them and if your Android phone detects the tracker is traveling with you and out of Bluetooth range from the owner. The notification alerts you to the tracker and tells you how to find it and what to do next.

How to find out if you have a tracking device in your body? ›

The best way to check for an implant would be to have an X-ray performed. RFID transponders have metal antennas that would show up in an X-ray. You could also look for a scar on the skin. Because the needle used to inject the transponder under the skin would be quite large, it would leave a small but noticeable scar.

How to tell if someone is tracking you? ›

10 Signs to Tell If Your Phone Is Being Tracked
  1. Unknown Apps Installed on Your Phone. ...
  2. Your Phone Gets Overheated. ...
  3. Higher Data Usage. ...
  4. Increased Battery Consumption. ...
  5. Your Phone Is Jailbroken or Rooted. ...
  6. Sudden Performance Deterioration. ...
  7. Unusual and Peculiar Permission Requests. ...
  8. Unusual Noise During Calls.

How do I scan my car for a tracking device? ›

If you suspect that your car may have a tracking device, you can look for physical signs such as unfamiliar wires or devices attached to your car. You can also use an RF (radio frequency) detector to scan for any signals that may indicate a tracking device.

Can my Iphone detect a tracking device on my car? ›

Both iOS and Android devices now alert their owners when an unknown Bluetooth tracker is found moving with them.

How to track your car? ›

Some of the ways to track your car include:
  1. Car Tracking Apps. Car tracking apps are one of the most convenient methods of tracking your car's location. ...
  2. Bluetooth Car Tracking. Add to Cart. ...
  3. Car Locator Device. Car locator devices, also known as GPS trackers, offer advanced tracking capabilities.
Feb 11, 2024

Can someone track you if your GPS is off? ›

The answer is yes, it's possible to track mobile phones even if location services are turned off. Turning off the location service on your phone can help conceal your location. This is important if you don't want third parties knowing where you are or being able to track your movement.

How can I find a tracking app on my phone? ›

Check the apps list to look for anything suspicious. Monitoring apps will very often hide their app icons but they might show up in the main apps list, albeit under an innocuous, alternative name: From Settings on Android, tap Apps and notifications then See all apps to check.

Is there an app to detect tracking devices? ›

Android users can scan for nearby AirTags (and AirPods) if they download the Tracker Detect app in the Google Play store. Similarly, Tile has a feature in its iOS and Android apps called “Scan & Secure” that will help locate any nearby trackers that are moving with you.

How to check for hidden AirTags? ›

You can use the Find My app to locate a missing AirTag or third-party item that you've registered to your Apple ID. If you have an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro model, you can also find their exact location. Learn how to register an AirTag or third-party item.

How to find a silent AirTag? ›

Download a Bluetooth tracker

You can use Bluetooth tracking apps to scan for any unknown AirTags in your vicinity. If you have an Android phone, download the app to detect the AirTag which can be found at the Google Play store.

How do I know if my car has been fitted with a tracker? ›

Thoroughly look for anything that you find misplaced in your car, whether it's a small wireless electric module or a wired component. Move the car seats and look underneath. Also, check the edge of the seat covers that may hide the tracker. Examine the area beneath the dashboard.

How do I know if the tracking is out on my car? ›

If you find your tyres seem to be wearing quicker than usual, this may be a sign of a problem with your car's wheel alignment, also known as 'tracking'. Incorrect alignment could also mean that you experience crooked/unstable steering, pulling from the steering wheel, or a steering wheel that is not level when driving.

How to scan your car for a tracking device with your phone? ›

Android users can scan for nearby AirTags (and AirPods) if they download the Tracker Detect app in the Google Play store. Similarly, Tile has a feature in its iOS and Android apps called “Scan & Secure” that will help locate any nearby trackers that are moving with you.

How do you tell if your car is bugged or tracked? ›

To effectively detect hidden bugs and tracking devices, you can use bug detectors or GPS trackers to sweep your car for any unusual signals. It's also recommended to conduct thorough physical inspections under the chassis, seats, and in the trunk area.

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