This Android App Is Better At Finding Unknown AirTags Than Apple's
University researchers have created an Android app that they claim is better than Apple's at finding an unknown AirTag or other Find My-enabled tracker. The AirTag is meant to be used for locating one's lost items. However, the advanced location technology Apple's beacons contain makes them attractive to thieves, who might hide an AirTag in a vehicle or other expensive item as a target to be located and stolen under the cover of darkness when the owner is away or asleep.
Apple does provide an alert to iPhone owners if an unknown AirTag is detected nearby and traveling with the person, suggesting that unwanted tracking might be taking place. Apple also released an Android app with similar capabilities. However, Apple's Tracker Detect app for Android must be open and manually triggered to locate an AirTag. This means the user would have to be expecting a hidden tracker and remember to use the app for it to be of use.
Related: AirTag Dimensions: How Big Are They?
AirGuard is an Android app that finds not only any nearby AirTag but also other Find My enabled devices. AirGuard is also much faster, detecting trackers within half an hour in most cases, while Apple's solution was found to take up to four hours. Spotted by Bleeping Computer, the app was made by researchers working in the Secure Mobile Networking Lab at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany and is free with no subscription or advertising. Instead, the developers request participation in their project, which uses anonymous data not tied to the user's identity or personal information, according to the privacy policy, which is visible within the app's settings.
It has come to light recently that some AirTag owners have modified the devices to prevent them
Read more on screenrant.com
