Take the alert seriously without confronting anyone
An unfamiliar tracker may be lost, borrowed or travelling nearby—or it may indicate unwanted tracking. Move to safety, preserve the alert and use the phone’s official tools.
Safe response
- If you feel threatened, go to a public or secure place and contact the appropriate local emergency service.
- Open the alert and preserve screenshots, detection times and the route map.
- Use the official “play sound” or nearby-finding function when safe.
- Check belongings, clothing, mobility equipment and vehicle exterior without dismantling safety-critical parts.
- Record the tracker identifier or owner detail shown by the official workflow.
- Follow platform instructions to disable the device when doing so will not increase immediate risk.
- Report suspected stalking or coercive control and retain the device or information as advised.
Disabling a tracker can alert the person using it or remove your ability to observe updates. If abuse or stalking is suspected, prioritise safety planning and police or specialist-support advice.
Official tools
Apple devices and compatible trackers support unwanted-tracking notifications, while Android provides automatic alerts and a manual scan. Keep Bluetooth, location-related safety settings and system updates configured as described by the platform.
Official guidance: Apple unwanted-tracker alerts and Google Android unknown-tracker alerts.
Last checked: 1 September 2026. Menus and supported trackers change with software updates.