Apple's AirTags have proved extremely popular as a way to keep track of everything from your key and luggage to your pets. We've even heard stories of cars being recovered after an Air Tag was left inside.
There have also been a few less ethical uses, such as parents placing them in their kids' bags or clothing or even used to other people. If you're an Apple user, it's now easy to find out if you have another AirTag close to you, but often Android users have been left in the dark. Until now.
Tracker Direct is an Android app created by Apple for just this purpose and is available now on the Google Play store. It allows you to detect AirTags and other devices on Apple's Find My network. The app will not only alert you to the device's presence but it will tell you exactly where it is and help you identify it.
While the obvious use-case here is to identify surreptitiously placed trackers about your person it also has more innocent uses. If for instance, you find an item – a bag or keys – that has a tracker on it, it will help you to reunite it with its owner.
The downside here, of course, is that anyone purposely taking your possessions can use this to scan for an AirTag and remove it so that it can no longer be tracked – which could impede one of the AirTag's best uses.
So maybe the answer here is that this is a useful app to have but not one you want to tell too many people about.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
As T3's Editor-in-Chief, Mat Gallagher has his finger on the pulse for the latest advances in technology. He has written about technology since 2003 and after stints in Beijing, Hong Kong and Chicago is now based in the UK. He’s a true lover of gadgets, but especially anything that involves cameras, Apple, electric cars, musical instruments or travel.
-
Two dumbbells, five exercises and 25 minutes to sculpt your inner thigh muscles
Training them is key for injury prevention and athletic performance
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
I’ve been taking creatine every day for four years – 3 things I’ve learned
Spoiler alert: it didn't make me gain a ton weight
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Possible Nothing Phone (3) listed online, could also come with a larger Plus model this time
A duo of unannounced Nothing smartphones have been spotted online
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple TV+ set to correct its biggest mistake
There's great news coming for Android phone owners
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Google Pixel 8a review: the affordable phone to beat
Pixel perfect: the 8a sees Google outpace its competition in the affordable Android phone market
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Millions of Samsung users loving latest free upgrade for older Galaxy phones
Samsung's One UI 6.1 brings AI feature additions to Galaxy phones and has been installed by millions of users
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Android users just got a big peace of mind upgrade
You'll never lose anything again... maybe
By Andy Sansom Published
-
It'll soon be easier to switch from iPhone to Android after you upgrade your device
Apple vows to simplify the digital transfer process when you swap phones
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Some Samsung Galaxy phones will soon lose access to an essential feature
A price to pay for not upgrading
By Andy Sansom Published
-
How to create your own official Google Android Bot
Build a bot that represents you
By Andy Sansom Published