Earlier year, Google announced that it was working with Apple on a new safety feature called ‘Unknown Tracker Alerts’ which can notify users about unwanted Bluetooth trackers travelling with them.
While Bluetooth trackers like AirTags and Tiles are often used to track or find lost items, many have used them for stalking other people and committing crimes like planned car theft.
Available on devices running Android 6 Marshmellow or later, the Unknown Tracker Alerts feature works by sending users a notification if it finds a Bluetooth tracker that does not belong to them is travelling with them.
If you want more details, just tap on the notification and you will be able to see the location on a map which shows when the tracker started following them. Users can also reveal the serial number and information of the owner by bringing the tracker near the back of their phone. In case you want to locate the tracker without notifying the owner, use the ‘Play Sound’ option.
Google says that the ‘Unknown Tracker Alerts’ feature only supports Apple’s AirTag, but it plans to add support for more Bluetooth-based trackers in the future. The tech giant is also working on a redesigned ‘Find My Device’ network that will compete against Apple’s offering and help users find lost items.
