Android Might Get Its Own Tracker Detection
Google is reportedly working on a native Bluetooth tracker detection feature for Android. Bluetooth trackers are becoming increasingly popular, thanks mainly to Apple AirTag, which brought the segment into the mainstream of consumer technology products. However, trackers are not limited to iPhone owners, as Android users also have many options to choose from, including Tile, Chipolo, and more.
While Bluetooth trackers offer great help in finding lost products, they're also reportedly being used for stealing cars and stalking unsuspecting victims, with many such cases coming to light recently. While Apple has long updated its AirTags with multiple anti-tracking measures, Tile also introduced anti-stalking features for its trackers earlier this month, enabling users to check if there's an unexpected Tile tracker nearby.
Related: AirTags For Android: The Best Alternatives
An APK teardown of the latest version of Google Play Services (version 22.12.13) by 9to5Google has found references to 'Unfamiliar device alerts' and 'Unfamiliar Tag Detected Notification' for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags. Interestingly, these terms are related to strings mentioning 'Tile' and 'ATag,' which the report believes is a reference to Apple's Airtag. The discovery suggests that a future version of Android will allow users to scan and find unwelcome trackers near them. The report further indicates that the BLE tracker detection feature will also allow Android users to ring an identified tag, similar to how Apple lets users play a sound on unwelcome AirTags.
The report further claims that Google started working on the tracker detection feature in mid-March, although it's not immediately clear when it will be rolled out to users. It's unclear
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