How Find My Detects Unknown AirTags on iOS 15

Apple introduced proactive safety alerts in iOS 15 to prevent unwanted tracking through its Find My network. When an AirTag separated from its registered owner travels alongside you over time, your iPhone detects this persistent proximity and delivers an automatic notification. This guide explains how iOS 15 identifies an unknown AirTag, the alerts you receive, and the specific actions you can take directly within the Find My app to locate and disable the device.

How iOS 15 Detects an Unknown AirTag

The Find My network continuously monitors Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple accessories. For iOS 15 to trigger an unwanted tracking alert, two conditions must be met:

  1. Separation from the Owner: The AirTag must be out of Bluetooth range of the owner's paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  2. Co-Movement Over Time: The AirTag must travel along the same path as your iPhone across multiple locations or for an extended duration.

If an AirTag is merely stationary nearby (such as an item left in an office) or moving in a crowded public transit vehicle where the owner is present, it will not trigger an alert on your device.

The Notification: "AirTag Found Moving With You"

When the system confirms that an unknown AirTag has been traveling with you, iOS 15 sends a push notification to your Lock Screen and Notification Center stating:

"AirTag Found Moving With You"

Tapping this notification automatically opens the Find My app directly to the tracking details screen.

Actions Available in the Find My App

Once inside Find My, iOS 15 provides several built-in tools to help you identify the tracker and ensure your privacy:

  • View the Route: A map displays where the AirTag was first observed traveling with you, along with red dotted lines tracing the path where it was detected.
  • Play Sound: Tap the "Play Sound" button to force the AirTag to emit an audible chime, helping you pinpoint where the item is physically hidden (such as in a bag, pocket, or vehicle).
  • Pause Safety Alerts: If the AirTag belongs to someone you know—such as a borrowed set of keys—you can choose to pause alerts for one day or permanently for members of your Family Sharing group.
  • Learn About This AirTag: By tapping this option and holding the top of your iPhone near the white side of the AirTag, an NFC prompt opens a web page displaying the tracker's serial number and the last four digits of the owner's registered phone number.
  • Instructions to Disable: Find My provides step-by-step instructions on how to twist off the back cover of the AirTag and remove the CR2032 coin-cell battery. Once the battery is removed, the AirTag can no longer broadcast its location.

Sound Alerts When Alerts Are Missed

If an unknown AirTag remains separated from its owner and is traveling with someone who does not have an iPhone, or whose iPhone has Bluetooth disabled, the AirTag itself serves as a fallback. After a variable window of time away from its owner (between 8 and 24 hours), the AirTag automatically emits a chirping sound whenever it is moved, alerting anyone nearby to its presence.

Required Settings for Tracking Notifications

For these notifications to work on iOS 15, the following settings must remain enabled on your iPhone:

  • Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and ensure the feature is turned on.
  • Tracking Notifications: Under Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services, ensure Find My iPhone is enabled.
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth must be active in Settings > Bluetooth so the iPhone can scan for nearby signals.
  • Find My Notifications: Go to Settings > Notifications > Find My and ensure Allow Notifications is checked.