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Original poster

Dd notified of new Apple tag with her since early hours - advice?

346 replies

iknowimcoming · 02/04/2022 21:05

Dd is 22, at uni, lives alone in flat with 24 hour reception (manned 24 hours) we visited her yesterday and went for brunch this morning, this evening she's had a notification that a new AirTag has been with her since 5.01am and shows the walk we took to and from the cafe this morning. She's checked everything and can't find anything, has anyone had this and it's been a mistake or should we be very concerned?

OP posts:
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6
Original poster
iknowimcoming · 02/04/2022 22:47

Anyone? Sad

OP posts:
CatherinedeBourgh · 02/04/2022 22:50

You should be very concerned. The reason apple have started sending these notifications is that they can be used by stalkers.

Ratatoo · 02/04/2022 22:52

That is a bit worrying. Can she contact apple in the morning and get more details? I'm not too sure how they work

HollowTalk · 02/04/2022 22:52

That's scary! How could that even happen?

TheWorstClass · 02/04/2022 22:53

AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking. If someone else’s AirTag finds its way into your stuff, your iPhone will notice it’s travelling with you and send you an alert. After a while, if you still haven’t found it, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know it’s there.

Of course, if you happen to be with a friend who has an AirTag, or on a train with other passengers who have AirTag, don’t worry. These alerts are triggered only when an AirTag is separated from its owner.

The above is from the apple website. I'm not sure how long it takes to start playing the sound. I didn't know these existed till just now. They seem like a terrifyingly unnecessary addition to life. I hope she finds it soon (and smashes it to bits).

Kay7766923 · 02/04/2022 22:53

They only set off when they're away from their owners too. I think it's meant to start beeping after a while of being away from its owner?

I don't have one but was looking in to them just yesterday.

How come it says 5am? Who does she live with and do they have access to her things?

Williamshatnershorses · 02/04/2022 22:54

This tells you how to disable it I think.

theemmadilemma · 02/04/2022 22:56

Tuning AirTag’s sound: Currently, iOS users receiving an unwanted tracking alert can play a sound to help them find the unknown AirTag. We will be adjusting the tone sequence to use more of the loudest tones to make an unknown AirTag more easily findable.

Williamshatnershorses · 02/04/2022 22:56

I was reading about the yesterday as I wondered about putting them inside my bike frame in case it got stolen but the article said it was relatively easy for the theif to disable them if they get this notification.

TalbotAMan · 02/04/2022 23:01

An AirTag has been hidden in her clothes or bag. Check things like coat pockets and handbags or rucksacks. Also see
www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-airtags/#:~:text=Check%20that%20you%20will%20receive,Detect%20app%20for%20Android%20phones.

Kay7766923 · 02/04/2022 23:03

Sorry OP I've just realised you said she lives alone. If she was in her home alone during the time it started tracking could reception look at the CCTV from then?

TheBolterdahling · 02/04/2022 23:04

support.apple.com/en-gb/HT212227

Helpful info here

QuebecBagnet · 02/04/2022 23:04

Can she go for a walk without her bag but the same coat and see if it tracks her ? If not then go for a walk with her bag and see if it then still tracks her? Try and pin point where it is and then search like mad. If still can’t find it maybe go to an Apple shop and failing that the police?

pastypirate · 02/04/2022 23:12

@QuebecBagnet

Can she go for a walk without her bag but the same coat and see if it tracks her ? If not then go for a walk with her bag and see if it then still tracks her? Try and pin point where it is and then search like mad. If still can’t find it maybe go to an Apple shop and failing that the police?
Great advice! Are they tiny?
Original poster
iknowimcoming · 02/04/2022 23:13

She lives alone but had a female friend stay over last night on her sofa (definitely not the friend btw) so no chance anyone got in her (tiny) flat unnoticed during the night so assumption is it was 'planted' at some point in the evening when she was in the pub (with said friend) pub was student pub so she knows most people there, she said she did leave bag unattended at times but has thoroughly searched it and found nothing! I'm considering driving the 2 hours back tomorrow to see if I can find anything.

She will try the going out with different bags etc but only in daylight tomorrow (at my request)! She has told the security desk that she's not expecting any visitors or deliveries so not to let anyone in asking for her - they said they wouldn't do that anyway! Bloody weird and so worrying being this far away!

OP posts:
Mustreadabook · 02/04/2022 23:14

When it tells you that the Apple tag is there it gives you the option to disable it i think? It always has for me ( husbands tags I use to keep my keys safe)

Hawkins001 · 02/04/2022 23:17

All the best op

QuebecBagnet · 02/04/2022 23:19

They are small, flattish discs, bit bigger than a 50p. They can be hidden in stuff…..I don’t just mean hidden in a bag. I have one hidden in a specially built bike reflector. So look for anything which she potentially does not recognise.

clkim · 02/04/2022 23:19

God this is scary and very weird Confused hope you get to the bottom of it OP!

MichelleScarn · 02/04/2022 23:20

If someone didn't have an iPhone, am I right that they could be tracked with one of these and never know?!

pastypirate · 02/04/2022 23:23

@iknowimcoming

She lives alone but had a female friend stay over last night on her sofa (definitely not the friend btw) so no chance anyone got in her (tiny) flat unnoticed during the night so assumption is it was 'planted' at some point in the evening when she was in the pub (with said friend) pub was student pub so she knows most people there, she said she did leave bag unattended at times but has thoroughly searched it and found nothing! I'm considering driving the 2 hours back tomorrow to see if I can find anything.

She will try the going out with different bags etc but only in daylight tomorrow (at my request)! She has told the security desk that she's not expecting any visitors or deliveries so not to let anyone in asking for her - they said they wouldn't do that anyway! Bloody weird and so worrying being this far away!

They can be slotted into a card like a credit card. If this was my dd I'd want to search myself! Can you face time her and get her to tip everything out? Does she know what they look like?

Odds on it's that bag that was left unattended - hole in the lining maybe? Underneath the cardboard bit sone bags have to keep their shape? Inside her phone case?

AreWeThereYetMummy · 02/04/2022 23:23

If it's likely it was put there at the pub, was she wearing the same coat/using the same bag when you went to the cafe?

pastypirate · 02/04/2022 23:24

Make up compact? Cd case?

Nomoreusernames1244 · 02/04/2022 23:24

Has the friend left anything that may have a tag?

Airpods, keys, etc? Anything in her coat or clothes pockets?

Dh had this when we were out one day-it was my airpods.