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AIBU?

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Original poster

Air tag tracking me but I don't own one

238 replies

frustratedplusone · 01/03/2025 23:54

Hi just need a bit of advice on how these work. Last day or two my phone keeps telling me im near an air tag .. but I don't own one. From history it's only tracking me when I'm in my car. It shows every journey I made today. I asked my soon to be ex partner as he has one and he said why do I have his air tag on my phone? .. I don't have his on my phone! I never received notifications on his whereabouts when he used it and the history is only tracking where i have been not anyone else. He said he's not put it in my car but we are going through a break up due to emotional abuse on his part so I don't want to demand to see his as trying to avoid further conflict, is there any explanation for this other than he has hid one in my car? Only me and my DD been in car she's 9 and doesn't have one.

OP posts:
Dolambslikemintsauce · 01/03/2025 23:55

Take it to a reputable garage. I bet they will look for free.....

Undrugged · 01/03/2025 23:56

Well no, the obvious explanation here is he has indeed put a tracker in your car.

Undrugged · 01/03/2025 23:57

https://support.apple.com/en-us/119874

WilfredsPies · 02/03/2025 00:03

If you don’t own one, then either your phone is going bonkers, your daughter has managed to purchase and set one up without you discovering it, someone you have given a lift to has accidentally dropped it in your car or ‘someone’ has placed it in your car in order to track your movements. There are no other possible explanations are there?

Option 1 is possible. Options 2 and 3 are unlikely. Option 4 is entirely possible. I’d be taking it to a garage if I were you. And then the police.

ShutUpForTheLoveOfGod · 02/03/2025 00:04

Of course he’s put it in your car. It alerts you because it’s where you’ve been with it.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 02/03/2025 00:05

I'd be getting your car swept asap, he's obviously out one in your car.

Original poster
frustratedplusone · 02/03/2025 00:30

Ok thank you. I'll have a look tomorrow... daughter only 9 so she's not got one and others that have been in car are her friends and it was tracking before I picked them up. Was hoping for a less sinister reason, oddly didn't even suspect him until this evening when I sat and thought about it... he is controlling and abusive but not done anything like this before. He said he's not getting notifications when I asked him but I assume he must be able to log in and see where I've been. Thank you all will get this sorted tomorrow x

OP posts:
Carouselfish · 02/03/2025 00:52

Get garage to find it as then that'll be proof it was in there.
Then mail it to somewhere obscure.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 02/03/2025 00:55

The Ex has planted it in your car. Find it and chuck it somewhere obscure.

Needspaceforlego · 02/03/2025 00:56

Search your car yourself first.
Between cushions,
If the rear seat folds under the seat,
Under mats,

If you can't find it take it to a garage see if they can find it.
If they can't try the police.

cheseandme · 02/03/2025 01:01

I had a new phone recently and my son set it up . Am not sure how it happened but I was AirTag him …so probably a tech problem.

MoosakaWithFries · 02/03/2025 01:07

He's stalking you OP.

This is one for the police and you must report it.

Please change your passwords on all accounts you have. If you have an Alexa change that too as he can listen in. I'd also check the rooms at home for cameras.

I'd imagine the air tag is within the inside of the car itself or boot. As a previous poster says you can take it to a garage and they will usually put the car up on a ramp to check underneath.

teenmaw · 02/03/2025 01:26

Op of course he's put an AirTag in your car. Not sure what a garage would be able to do you're probably going to have to find it yourself. My ex used to hide stuff under the floor of the boot. He'll have put it somewhere a woman wouldn't normally look.

Report this to the Police, guys like him need to know from the offset you won't tolerate this shit, especially now you've split.

Popcorn63 · 02/03/2025 01:29

Do not let him near your car until you get this sorted!

Slowgrowingelm · 02/03/2025 01:42

If I remember correctly AirTag have specifically ensured that their tags ‘announce’ themselves to someone’s phone to ensure that you are aware that you are being tracked. They do not want their tags being used be twatish wankers. Take your car to a garage (they can help) and then go to the police. Get it on record.

endofthelinefinally · 02/03/2025 01:45

Look under mats and carpets, especially in and under the boot. Look all round the outside and under the wheel arches and bonnet. Anywhere he could have taped it with gorilla tape.
Don't tell him when you find it. Put it in the bin. (I would be tempted to leave it on a bus or post it to a friend in another part of the country. Have some fun with it).
As pp have said, check your house for spyware.

Northerngirl821 · 02/03/2025 02:19

If it’s detected by your phone then you should have an option to make it beep. Do this whilst checking your car and see if you can hear it, that might help you narrow it down.

In the meantime make sure you save or screenshot all the evidence of it tracking you and if you do find it then you can report him to the police for stalking and harassment. Don’t bin it as PP said - keep it as evidence.

ForPoliteHam · 02/03/2025 03:02

Some of the advice re throwing in it away or trying to trick him is frankly dangerous imo.

OP is breaking up with him as he's abusive, he's likely stalking her.. telling her to piss him off on purpose is insane.

Luckypoppy · 02/03/2025 03:22

Bet it's in the boot! That's where mine was hidden. In the jack kit as it's the last thing I'd open personally.

Pinkl · 02/03/2025 03:36

Do you happen to have any skiwear in you car? I have a ski coat with a tracker which alerts my phone when I’m wearing it. it’s a coat that was given to me so I have no idea if you first register it, but there is a clear sign on the sleeve that says the coat has a tracker in it.

Agree with PP to keep screenshots of the tracking notifications and do get the car checked.

FallinUltra · 02/03/2025 03:43

This site gives loads of information about AirTags, including how to disable them and how to identify the owner:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/119874 support.apple.com/en-gb/119874]]]]

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 02/03/2025 06:21

Find the air tag then plant it in his own car.

Blue444 · 02/03/2025 08:42

OP if you find it hidden be really careful about your next moves. If he was/is abusive this is likely just the start of escalation now you're trying to leave.
OTOH I hope it's not that for your sake
Good Luck

PumpkinPie2016 · 02/03/2025 08:56

How worrying for you @frustratedplusone

Really, I can only 2nd what others have said;

  1. Screen shot any evidence
  1. I would contact the police before attempting to find it - explain your suspicions and ask for their advice.
  1. Depending on 2, you can then take the car to a reputable garage and ask them to help find it. Ask them to photograph where they find it/see if you can get pictures or other proof that they were looking for it.
  1. Once it's found, take it straight to the police.

Above all else, don't let your car anywhere near your ex until its sorted or he will try to move it. I hope you can get things moving today.