In order to determine whether an unknown object tracking device is moving with them, Google introduced an unknown tracker alert system towards the end of last year. To far, there have been many reports of theft, stalking, and other illegal activities involving devices like AirTags. Google and Apple also collaborated to develop a cross-platform tracker alert system in order to counter the threat. Google is now strengthening the security system with two upcoming Android phone improvements.
Turning off location updates is the first feature. Users have the option to turn off their phone’s location logs on Google’s Find My Device network when they encounter an unknown tracker alert. Their location updates will be halted for 24 hours once they are enabled. Open the tracker alert notification and do the following actions to accomplish this: I’m having trouble finding the tracker. Please pause.
But bear in mind that this won’t prevent the owner of the tracker from remotely identifying the tracking device through its own dashboard. You can start a manual scan to find any unknown tracking device by following these instructions if you are unable to view the unknown tracker notification any more:
On your phone, open the Settings apps.
After swiping down, select Safety & Emergency.
Select “Unknown tracker alerts” by tapping on it.
Your phone will start searching for any potential suitable Bluetooth trackers that are following you as soon as you press the Scan Now option.
Find Nearby is the second safety feature that Google has released. “Your Android device will guide you to the tag, to help you find it if it’s hidden,” according to the business. The concept is that your phone will provide on-screen directional assistance to help you identify an unknown tracker warning if you use the “Play Sound” feature and are unable to hear the audio cues.
This is an essential safety precaution, particularly if the speaker hardware has been purposefully broken or if a tracking device has been hidden so that you are unable to hear the audio pings. A few online marketplaces have featured “silent AirTags” with their speaker turned off, so there is undoubtedly precedent for taking preventative action. That safety gap might be filled with Find Nearby. Follow these procedures to utilize this feature:
To open the map view, tap the tracker alert notice.
After tapping the Next steps icon, tap Find Nearby to continue.
As you approach the tracker, its shape fills in and you will see a connection status on the screen.
At this point, you can also use the Play Sound button to play sound through the tracker’s speaker to aid in the hunt.
Note that only trackers that are part of the Find My Device ecosystem can use this feature.