Your Android phone can now detect unwanted AirTags heres how to set it up

Date:
Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:00:49 +0000

Description:
The new security feature will be housed in your Android's Settings menu and activating it is easy.

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Googles new safety update for Android to detect unwanted Bluetooth tiles has started reaching smartphones and were going to show you how to activate it.

To give a quick refresher of the situation, bad actors have been reported using Bluetooth trackers, like Apple AirTags , as an inexpensive way to stalk people. The method is someone places a tag on a mark, then they follow the device on their smartphone while the other person is none the wiser. After
the news broke, Apple and Google announced they were teaming up to tackle
this serious security problem. This patch is the latest piece of protection
to come out from this collaboration. How to activate Unknown tracker alerts

Activating the detection tool is pretty simple. Start by opening your phones Settings app then scroll down. If your device is running Android 12 or newer, tap Safety & Emergency. 9to5Google states in their report that smartphones running Android 11 or older must select Personal Safety instead. Scroll to
the bottom again where you should see a new entry titled Unknown tracker alerts. (Image credit: Future)

Tap the entry and you will be taken to the Unknown tracker alerts menu. The Allow Alerts switch will be turned on by default. Moving forward, your
Android phone will periodically scan its surroundings for any unknown Bluetooth tiles placed on or near you. If it finds anything, it will notify you. There is also an indicator telling you when it last detected a
mysterious tracker. Alerts will automatically be deleted after 48 hours.

Down at the bottom is a Scan Now button. Pressing it will prompt your phone
to manually check the area around you. Manual scans last ten seconds. Be
aware results will not be saved. (Image credit: Future)

The page for Unknown tracker alerts has a couple of links connecting to an Android Help page informing people what will happen if they do encounter an unwanted Bluetooth tile. According to the post, the phone will display a map telling the user where the tracker was first detected and the path both of
you took. Additionally, tapping the on-screen Play Sound button will cause it to make noise so you locate the offending gadget more easily

Google will even offer some advice on what to do next like calling the police if you feel unsafe plus instructions on how to disable the tracker. Availability

Currently, the update can only search for Apple AirTags. Its ineffective against tiles from other brands although third-party companies have voiced their support for this technology. One day, this tech could expand to cover something like the Samsung Galaxy Tag , but nothing has been confirmed yet.

9to5Google claims theyre only seeing this patch on Pixel and Samsung mobile devices. However, we used a OnePlus Nord N20 5G to check out the tool, so theres a good chance the update is a lot more widespread than initially thought.

If you havent done so already, be sure to install the latest Android patch to get this security feature. TechRadar's list of the best Android phones for 2023



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/your-android-phone-can-now-detect-unw anted-airtags-heres-how-to-set-it-up


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