Got Notification “AirTag Found Moving With You” on Your iPhone? What to Do if You’re Being Tracked

If your iPhone notifies you that an unknown device—like an AirTag or other accessory—is moving with you, Apple has outlined clear procedures to help safeguard your privacy and security. These alerts are part of Apple’s broader efforts to prevent unwanted tracking and ensure that users are aware of potential risks to their location data.

Understanding the Notification

Apple’s alert system is designed to detect if a Bluetooth tracking device that does not belong to you is traveling with you over time. These alerts include messages such as “AirTag Found Moving With You” or similar notifications about other Find My network accessories. The system works with AirTags, AirPods, and other third-party accessories that support the Find My network. These notifications are automatically enabled and do not require user configuration.

How to Locate the Tracking Device

For AirTags: Bring your iPhone or any NFC-capable smartphone near the white side of the AirTag to receive a prompt. Tapping the prompt opens a webpage with details such as the AirTag’s serial number and the last four digits of the owner’s phone number. Taking a screenshot of this page is recommended for documentation.

Play a Sound: If the tracking device is within range, you can use the Find My app to make it emit a sound. Navigate to the Items tab, find Items Detected With You, select the device, and tap Play Sound. This helps locate it if it’s hidden in a bag, vehicle, or clothing. However, sound playback may be unavailable if the device is too far, back with its owner, or its identity has changed.

How to Disable the Tracking Device

To stop the device from tracking you:

Open the Find My app and go to Items > Items Detected With You.
Select the detected device and tap Instructions to Disable.
Follow the onscreen steps. For AirTags, this typically involves removing the battery, rendering it unable to send location updates to the owner.

If you can’t locate the device using your phone, manually inspect your belongings for hidden trackers.

Reviewing Location Sharing Settings

If you believe you’re being tracked through location sharing:

Open the Find My app and go to the People tab.
Check the list of people who can see your location.
Select any contact you no longer wish to share your location with and tap Stop Sharing My Location.

To globally disable location sharing:

Go to Me in Find My and toggle off Share My Location, or
Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Share My Location and disable it.

Turning Off Location Services

To completely block all apps and Apple services from accessing your location:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and toggle it off.

You can also restrict the Find My app individually by setting its location access to Never in the same settings menu. Be aware this will limit useful services like Maps and weather apps.

Emergency Measures with Safety Check

In urgent situations where you suspect you’re being stalked or followed:

Use Safety Check by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
Choose Manage Sharing & Access for a detailed review or Emergency Reset to instantly revoke all sharing permissions and review privacy settings.

If You Can’t Find the Device or Feel Unsafe

Inspect all personal belongings for hidden devices.
If the tracker is identified as lost, contact information for the owner may be available through the AirTag prompt.
If you suspect intentional, malicious tracking, contact law enforcement. Apple recommends this course especially if you feel unsafe.

Additional Security Measures

Ensure Airplane Mode is off, as it can block tracking alerts.
If there’s concern that someone has access to your iPhone or iCloud account, consider a factory reset via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Regularly audit app permissions under Location Services and limit access to only trusted apps.

Compatibility Notes

Apple’s enhanced tracking protection requires iOS 17.5 or later. This update supports cross-platform tracking alerts in partnership with Google, expanding coverage to more Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Apple’s tracking notification system is a key privacy feature designed to prevent abuse of location-tracking technology. Following these steps allows users to protect themselves, address unauthorized tracking, and respond appropriately in any concerning scenario.