When a Bluetooth tracking device is separated from its owner, it begins sending “unknown tracker alerts” to nearby smartphones. These alerts can help you find and return strangers’ belongings, though they can also help you protect yourself from stalking.

For reference, your Android smartphone can detect trackers from all major brands. It doesn’t matter if the tracker is made for iPhone or Android, you’ll still receive an alert.

Tracker Alerts Are Enabled by Default

Android smartphones will alert you when a tracking device, such as an Apple AirTag or Chipolo ONE Point, has been separated from its owner and is traveling with you. This is a default setting, though you can manually scan for trackers by opening “Settings,” tapping “Safety & emergency,” navigating to “Unknown tracker alerts,” and selecting “Scan now.”

In most cases, an unknown tracker alert isn’t a cause for alarm. You may receive these alerts when a friend leaves their bag in your home, or when you borrow a family member’s car keys. A neighbor’s AirPods could even trigger an unknown tracker alert, under some circumstances. Unfortunately, Bluetooth tracking devices can be used to stalk people, so it’s important to pay attention to any unknown tracker alert you receive.

Note that unknown tracker alerts can be disabled. Open “Settings,” tap “Safety & emergency,” go to “Unknown tracker alerts,” and toggle the “Allow alerts” button. Repeating this process will re-enable unknown tracker alerts.

Use Your Phone to Locate the Tracker

When you receive an unknown tracker alert, click it. You’ll see some information about the tracker, including the name of its manufacturer and a map that shows where it has traveled with you. Take a screenshot, as you may lose access to the tracker’s details at some point. (If you accidentally dismissed the tracker notification, enter “Settings,” go to “Safety & Emergency,” and open “Unknown tracker alerts” for past alerts.)

While viewing the tracker’s information, press the button labeled “Play sound.” Listen closely to your surroundings and try to locate the tracker based on the beeping noise it makes. You may need to press this button several times while searching for the tracker—that’s okay, the owner won’t be notified. If the “Play sound” option disappears, it’s usually because you’ve wandered out of the tracker’s range.

Trackers that are damaged or modified may not beep. If you can’t hear the tracker, check any belongings that may have been accessed by a stranger, such as your bag or the outside of your car. Of course, you should also check any items that you’ve recently borrowed from friends or family. And if anyone’s been in your home or car, you should check the seats.

Once you find the tracker, follow the instructions on your phone to see the owner’s email address (take a screenshot of this, too). If the tracker is attached to someone else’s belongings, and you feel that it isn’t being used for stalking, contact the owner and schedule a meetup in a public setting. Alternatively, leave the tracker with a fast food or retail employee and say you found it sitting around. The owner can see the tracker’s location on their phone—they’ll figure it out.

If you can’t find the tracker and suspect that you’re being stalked, contact someone you trust to let them know what’s going on, go to a public location if you feel unsafe at home (a gas station or restaurant is fine), and call the police. Disabling the tracker may let the owner know that you’ve found it, so leave the tracker enabled.

Report Suspicious Trackers to the Police

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Chances are, any Bluetooth tracker you find is owned by a friend, family member, or harmless acquaintance. But if you suspect that a tracker has been intentionally placed on your belongings by a stalker, you should report it to the police.

Take screenshots of the tracker’s information. You should also shoot a couple photos of the tracker itself, especially if it was placed in a container or taped to something, as this may be evidence of the stalker’s intent. Leave the tracker enabled to prevent its owner from knowing that you found it.

Send a quick text message to someone you trust so that they know what’s going on. Then, call law enforcement and explain that you might be in danger. If you feel unsafe at home, go to a public place (a restaurant, gas station, or any other location with people and cameras) and call the police from there.

While speaking with the police, request a copy of the police report, get name and badge numbers, and ask about local services that deal with stalking and harassment. You should also ask the police for an emergency restraining order if you don’t have one already, though you may need to submit a petition to your local court if an emergency restraining order is deemed unnecessary.

If you know the identity of whoever is stalking you, be prepared to show any additional evidence of stalking or harassment to the police and court. Never delete evidence of stalking or harassment, and do not talk yourself down from reporting such crimes.