Apple AirTags as Tracker

[bad company]

I’ve hidden an AirTag in each of my cars to use like a tracker. Does anyone know if there’s a way of thieves identifying that the AirTags are there? I’ve often heard about expensive cars being stolen and the trackers found and quickly disposed of.

[What The Deuces]

Will that even work? Relies on proximity to other Apple devices doesn’t it?

[Cold]

They beep and they inform nearby Apple devices that one is in the vicinity. Probably not the best idea to rely solely on them as a covert tracking device.

[Kes Arevo]

Didn't apple change it so if an airtag was'following you' it would tell you?

It was to stop stalkers, etc, but would do the same for a thief, surely?

[Tye Green]

what's the advantage of the Air tag thing over the £6 gps & sim card carrying gizmos on ebay?

[Dr Interceptor]

Kes Arevo said:

Didn't apple change it so if an airtag was'following you' it would tell you?

It was to stop stalkers, etc, but would do the same for a thief, surely?

Yep they do... to stop people dropping them into bags/coat pockets to follow people.

As soon as a thief gets in his car with an iPhone in his pocket, his phone will tell him someone else's airtag is nearby.

I think I'd rather my chances with one of these... https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-security/itr...

Small enough to hide under a seat, or under the dash, just remember to charge it.

[SamR380]

Kes Arevo said:

Didn't apple change it so if an airtag was'following you' it would tell you?

It was to stop stalkers, etc, but would do the same for a thief, surely?

Yes, I noticed this when I borrowed a car with an airtag on the keys. When I got back home my iPhone told me someone else's airtag had been with me while travelling and it might be tracking me. I assume this would only work for people with iPhones.

[768]

SamR380 said:

I assume this would only work for people with iPhones.

I think you currently need a separate app to do it on Android, but a while back I think I read that it was expected to end up with native support.

I'd not worry about someone knowing the car was being tracked by an AirTag. Keep it well hidden. Might even encourage them to abandon it.

[jayemm89]

I know a few people who buy them in bulk and hide several in the car. They're small enough you could make them a mission to find, and that could be enough time to annoy someone and make them go elsewhere.

[reefer110]

There are vids on youtube detailing how to remove the speaker from these, if you do so and hide one on the car the 'thief' may still get notified but they'll have a job to find it.