/techfirstnow/media/member_avatars/YodgYEj3LV7y7UHyMiOo.jpg )
/techfirstnow/media/media_files/qG95YP4i1hQLcpsBj4ZI.png)
AirtTags with Android (Image via TechFirstNow)
Follow Us
AirTags are Bluetooth-enabled tracking devices created by Apple that are designed to help locate lost items by playing sounds or appearing on the Maps app when near another Apple device signed into the same iCloud account.
This article will explore whether AirTags can be used with Android, how the Tracker Detect app allows Android devices to identify nearby AirTags and some popular AirTag alternatives that are fully integrated with the Android ecosystem.
Can AirTags Be Used with Android Devices?
To use AirTags to monitor items, they must first be set up and then exclusively handled through Apple's Find My network service. As these trackers are specifically designed for use within Apple's ecosystem, they cannot currently be set up or used directly using devices running the Android operating system. AirTags require interaction with iPhones, iPads, Mac computers and other Apple hardware to leverage the Find My network's lost item recovery features.
Locating AirTags Using the Tracker Detect App
Given that AirTags are created with helpful intent, the potential also exists for inappropriate utilization like stalking or surveillance without permission. Google and Apple worked cooperatively to remedy this situation by allowing Android smartphones to identify and pinpoint AirTags in close proximity through a specially designed tracker detection program.
1. First, download the Tracker Detect application from the Google Play Store on your Android device. Once the Tracker Detect app has finished installing, open it to start the detection process.
/techfirstnow/media/post_attachments/01f1c17859892e65efe4505decdd6511a62f378f5f33d149edd59b9c03822c53.jpeg)
2. When you first open the app, it will show you some terms and conditions for using the software. Go ahead and read through what it says - you'll need to agree to the details before moving on.
/techfirstnow/media/post_attachments/c0cd5a1eae66c57b22b974be7aa82365dc27ecff693eb6b6d42a77f27168cd36.jpeg)
3. Once you're at the main menu, look for a button labelled "Scan" near the bottom of the screen. Tap that button there to start checking your surroundings for any AirTags.
/techfirstnow/media/post_attachments/532d2a729388f3266c8846aab615ea796e7172fd2846e897347c47f7265312c9.jpeg)
4. The app may ask permission to use certain things like your Bluetooth or location - it needs access to stuff like that to properly locate the tags. If you see any requests pop up, allow them so the scan can work its magic.
/techfirstnow/media/post_attachments/c941ad621f3bc717f567b5fce7d799836d0c8e5bb7cdae649ef93c98db8b1000.jpeg)
5. After a quick scan of the area, it will let you know if any AirTags were found nearby. Any that aren't registered to you will be labelled with a little "Unknown AirTag" tag to let you know they aren't yours.
/techfirstnow/media/post_attachments/1be4c20f664f54479719f77837713e20835e68d917ee70bcad433e07c541afec.jpeg)
t's important to note that the Tracker Detect application, when used on an Android device, is limited in its ability to detect AirTags to only those within a short range of the smartphone or tablet. The app cannot identify tags outside of a particular maximum distance from the Android device. The detection process also requires manually initiating each scan by pressing the on-screen button assigned for that purpose within the app interface.
Playing Sound and Disabling AirTags
When an unrecognized AirTag is identified via the Tracker Detect application, the user has the ability to activate an audible tone from the device utilizing the application’s sound activation functionality. This audible alert may aid in physically locating the AirTag. Additionally, the app provides guidance on how to deactivate the AirTag by extracting the self-contained charge source that powers its operation. Removing this internal power component serves to disable the AirTag.
AirTag Alternatives Compatible with Android
Given that AirTags lack the ability to integrate with Android-powered hardware, several competing options exist designed specifically for smooth use within the Android ecosystem. Popular selections are:
-
Tile: Tile provides a selection of Bluetooth item trackers explicitly engineered for linking with Android phones.
-
Samsung SmartTags: Created by Samsung to work seamlessly with Samsung Galaxy products. SmartTags operate in a similar manner to AirTags, providing comparable item tracking and finding functionality designed specifically for compatibility with Samsung device ecosystems.
These substitutes may provide divergent features and connection support levels, so thoroughly examining each to identify the choice best fitting usage requirements remains important.
In closing, while AirTags are intended to be paired with and their locations saw through Apple's iOS mobile devices, Android smartphones and tablets unfortunately cannot serve this same purpose directly. However, Android users are still able to check for unknown nearby AirTags using the Tracker Detect application developed for this purpose.
Although AirTags were created primarily for use within Apple's hardware and software environment, both Apple and Google collaborated to provide Android users with some means of detecting any unidentified AirTags in their vicinity through this application. It permits Android phones to scan the local area and identify any unfamiliar AirTags so unauthorized tracking can be prevented.
Explore more topics:
