Club Benefits
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Daily (Mon-Sun)
Tom's Guide Daily
Sign up to get the latest updates on all of your favorite content! From cutting-edge tech news and the hottest streaming buzz to unbeatable deals on the best products and in-depth reviews, we’ve got you covered.
Weekly on Thursday
Tom's AI Guide
Be AI savvy with your weekly newsletter summing up all the biggest AI news you need to know. Plus, analysis from our AI editor and tips on how to use the latest AI tools!
Weekly on Friday
Tom's iGuide
Unlock the vast world of Apple news straight to your inbox. With coverage on everything from exciting product launches to essential software updates, this is your go-to source for the latest updates on all the best Apple content.
Weekly on Monday
Tom's Streaming Guide
Our weekly newsletter is expertly crafted to immerse you in the world of streaming. Stay updated on the latest releases and our top recommendations across your favorite streaming platforms.
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Google may be giving Android the ability to detect Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers by default, and without downloading any other apps.
9to5Google examined code found within the latest version of Google Play Services and found evidence of Google seemingly working on a detection system for trackers. Specifically, it found references to “Unfamiliar device alerts” and “Unfamiliar Tag Detected Notification” features, as well as mentions of "Tile tag" and "ATag," which sound like specific identifiers for Tile trackers and Apple AirTags.
Having this ability enabled by default in Android itself would make it much easier to find errant tags, and bring some welcome peace of mind to users. AirTag safety is a widespread concern right now because it's been proven to easily to track people without their knowledge with the tag.
Apple has made changes with the new iOS 15.4 update that makes it easier to find errant AirTags, but that doesn't help out Android users. Instead it offers the Tracker Detect Android app that allows users to scan for AirTags nearby. And Tile has done something similar with its Scan and Secure feature, which can be used on the Tile app even without an account.
Google could still be some way off making this feature live, or it may decide to drop the idea entirely. However, with Android 13 due to launch in a couple of months, we'll be keeping a close eye on if it features a Google-made answer to the problem of unwanted tracking.
