Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Finders Keepers?? AirPods

136 replies

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:47

DS (12) recently found some AirPods (don’t know if they are official) on a beach walk with DH and I. DH and I have now had a big fall out over what DS should do with turn. DH told DS they are his to keep and “quick, put them in your pocket before anyone sees!” I told him he should hand them in and that they are not his to keep. DH called me naive, a “nerd” a wimp etc for wanting to do that. I tried telling our son to imagine if he lost something valuable, he would want it back. DH said that’s not how the world works, anyone could come along and lie and claim them.

I tried again telling our son that the right thing to do is to hand in anything you find but I was then made out that I was “upsetting DS” and being “a misery”

We were meant to take DS out for a meal but the atmosphere was so awful that we came straight home. I ruined everything apparently 🙄

So AIBU?! I know I am not but apparently I am now the bad guy for ruining the evening. So what the hell do you do when one parent tries to teach right from wrong and the other just tramples all over it and fights you all the way?!

OP posts:
whistleblower99 · 24/04/2024 18:16

AirPods cannot be removed from find my IPhone of the original account holder so even if they can use them - they actual owner can locate them.

Hwory · 24/04/2024 18:16

My AirPods have the ability to play a bell ringing sound (which is very loud if they’re in your ear) from my iPhone. If I could see someone’s taken them to their house you betcha I’d be activating it over and over again.

Scarletttulips · 24/04/2024 18:15

They can also be deactivated or reported as lost so he won’t be able to use them anyway/

ToxicChristmas · 24/04/2024 18:14

Tessisme · 24/04/2024 18:13

Morals aside, there is NOTHING that would induce me to place something in my ear holes that had been plugged in someone else's ear holes. No amount of antibacterial spray. Not even a fucking flame thrower would clean those bastards sufficiently for me.

THANK YOU! Absolutely agree.

Tessisme · 24/04/2024 18:13

Morals aside, there is NOTHING that would induce me to place something in my ear holes that had been plugged in someone else's ear holes. No amount of antibacterial spray. Not even a fucking flame thrower would clean those bastards sufficiently for me.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 24/04/2024 18:12

12 is such an impressionable age for this sort of thing. I'm on your side and think your DH is a bit of a prick for the lesson he's teaching your son

OhmygodDont · 24/04/2024 18:11

Yes if they are official AirPods they can be tracked worldwide even if separated.

If they are not AirPods your dh started an argument over £10 knockoffs. Tho I do like my cheapo ones

ToxicChristmas · 24/04/2024 18:10

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:51

Good! I really hope they do turn up at our house looking for them! He can deal with whoever turns up!

Good for you OP, I'd be hoping the same. Hopefully the crushing embarrassment of being caught out as a thief will end his arrogance. Of course DS is on his side, he wants to keep the airpods!

MississippiAF · 24/04/2024 18:09

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/04/2024 18:07

I am not very techno savy

If they are trackable like iPhones why didn't the owner track them and go to the beach ?

Won’t show if they’re run out battery.

As soon as they are charged, they’ll show.

Bit embarrassing if someone has taken them 50 miles, clearly intending on stealing. Owner can report to police. Most of time they’ll do nothing but…

lucindasspunkyfunkyvoice · 24/04/2024 18:09

Airpods aren't fitted with a gps tracker

I think it's pretty easy to reset them

Anyway, perhaps try and reunite with owner. Facebook post?

If nobody claims, they're yours

RollOnSpringDays · 24/04/2024 18:09

Most people would post a found post on local facebook groups.

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/04/2024 18:07

But yes you are right

Should try and find owner

whistleblower99 · 24/04/2024 18:07

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/04/2024 18:07

I am not very techno savy

If they are trackable like iPhones why didn't the owner track them and go to the beach ?

May not have realised they are gone yet.

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/04/2024 18:07

I am not very techno savy

If they are trackable like iPhones why didn't the owner track them and go to the beach ?

Weel · 24/04/2024 18:04

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

How far can they be traced? We are now 10 miles away from where they were found.

It’s not based on distance, it’s the same technology as AirTags.

Longma · 24/04/2024 18:04

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

How far can they be traced? We are now 10 miles away from where they were found.

Worldwide.

When dd was working in the US and we were in the UK I could 'see' her AirPods, in the same way I could see her phone, iPad, MacBook, etc.

They can see them through 'Find my iPad' which is an app included on most Apple products as well as online.

As soon as they are 'turned on' they will show up with your location - which in many cases is very specific. Sometimes it can be a little way out but generally it can pinpoint to which part of a building they are in - using a bird's eye view in a map.

whistleblower99 · 24/04/2024 18:03

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

How far can they be traced? We are now 10 miles away from where they were found.

Everywhere that is the point. Even when they die it will show their last known location.

HansBanans · 24/04/2024 18:02

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

How far can they be traced? We are now 10 miles away from where they were found.

I work about 20 miles from home and can still see them on my app. I'd imagine as long as they have charge they can be found from any distance

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

How far can they be traced? We are now 10 miles away from where they were found.

OP posts:
UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:59

TokyoSushi · 24/04/2024 17:56

a) it's wrong, b) the person can likely find you/them through the tracker c) it's just a really horrible attitude, they're expensive and my DS would be devastated if he lost his, of course you hand them in!

DH is a dick.

Yes, he is a massive dick! I can only try my best to talk to DS when DH isn’t around, his attitude is really horrible. I did say to DH too that if he lost something wouldn’t he want it back? But it falls on deaf ears.

OP posts:
whistleblower99 · 24/04/2024 17:58

Your location will be sent to the owner. They are traceable.

UnlimitedCake · 24/04/2024 17:57

Runningbird43 · 24/04/2024 17:52

Maybe explain the “theft by finding” law?

your DS has committed a crime by simply keeping them.

however if he makes a reasonable attempt at locating the owner, posts on fb, reports to police etc, and an owner cannot be located, then yes, he can keep them.

as pp pointed out too, AirPods are trackable so there is every chance the police or owner may turn up at your door.

Yeah I explained that too but was just met with aggression and told to stop being such a nerd etc. Unfortunately DS was on DH’s side completely no matter what I said.

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 24/04/2024 17:56

a) it's wrong, b) the person can likely find you/them through the tracker c) it's just a really horrible attitude, they're expensive and my DS would be devastated if he lost his, of course you hand them in!

DH is a dick.

RhiWrites · 24/04/2024 17:55

That sucks. You’ve been married 12 years or more and only now discovered his moral compass is a fidget spinner.

MississippiAF · 24/04/2024 17:53

They’ll pop up with the location on the owner’s iPhone as soon as they are put in a charger.