Table of Contents
- Intro
- What is Apple’s Find My App?
- How Does Apple’s Find My App Work?
- What Are AirTags?
- What To Do If There is Unauthorized Location Tracking
- How To Check If There is Unauthorized Apple Items Tracking Your Location
Last Updated: January 27, 2026
Note that Apple does not endorse nor sponsor this digital resource.
Symbols and What They Mean in This Guide
Course of action may be visible to your former or current partner. You may want to consult with a staff of an anti-violence program in your community before removing your former or current partner’s access.
Evidence documentation checkpoint. Take screenshots, pictures with a different device, or screen recordings of your former or current partner’s unauthorized access.
Definition of Words in This Guide
iCloud: Apple’s cloud-based service that stores your data and keeps it synced across all your Apple devices.
Family Sharing: An Apple feature that lets up to six family members share information such as services, subscriptions, purchases, and location. When enabled other features can be shared in the family such as screen time and app limits.
What is Apple’s Find My App?
Apple’s Find My is an app and service that allows you to locate and track Apple devices on the same iCloud account. Location sharing for devices on the same iCloud account is automatically enabled, so each device can see the others in Find My.
Apple has another feature called Family Sharing. When Family Sharing is set up, members of the same family group can view the precise locations of each other’s Apple devices.
Additionally, when permission is granted, you can share your location with friends or family members who use different iCloud accounts. These shared locations will also appear in the Find My app.
How Does Apple’s Find My App Work?
Apple’s Find My works by tracking the precise location of the connected Apple devices. Within the Find My app, you can view the different categories at the bottom of your screen to see people, devices, and items that share their location with you or that you share your location with.
If you own multiple Apple devices, you can change which device shares your location by:
- Open the Find My app in the device you’d like to share your current location.
- At the bottom of your device’s screen tap Me.
- Toggle on Share My Location.
You can get notifications for different people and devices in the People section in the Find My app.
Example: When someone arrives at a specific location, leaves a location, or doesn’t show up at a location in a set schedule. However, keep in mind that when you set a notification for a person, they will receive a notification that you have done so.
To learn how to set this up, click apple support.
What Are AirTags?
AirTags are made for tracking your personal belongings in case they get lost or stolen.
They are a small circular disk, about the size of toonie and can be easily sewn into belongings such as bags and backpacks or placed in hidden compartments in a car, luggage or pocket. Accessories can be added onto AirTags, allowing them to be used as keychains, attached with magnetic mounts, or placed in holders that can clip or strap onto personal items.
What To Do If There is Unauthorized Location Tracking
Source: Apple Personal Safety User Guide
If an unknown AirPod, AirTag, or a Find My accessory is separated from the owner and moves with you over a period of time, your Apple device will notify you of this concern:
- Only AirPods, AirTags or Find My accessories (not including the Apple Watch) are capable of sending alerts to your device.
- Only iPhone and iPad can display alerts for potential unauthorized location tracking (MacBooks cannot receive alerts).
When you receive an unauthorized location tracking notification, you will have the option to play a sound to help you find the item. Once found, you can disable the device, which will prevent its owner from accessing its location. If you prefer not to disable it immediately, you may choose to turn off notifications instead. Additionally, you will have the option to save the serial number of the item, which can be used to help you track it back to its owner or assist law enforcement.
To learn more, click this link to Apple Support’s What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory, or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you article.
Safety Tips: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings and documentation of the findings.
Keep in mind that before removing unauthorized access, you may want to consult with a support worker as disabling the item could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase your risk to violence.
How To Check If There is Unauthorized Apple Items Tracking Your Location
If an unknown AirPod, AirTag or a Find My accessory is separated from the owner and moves with you over a period of time, you can use the following apps to check if there is unauthorized location tracking from an Apple item.
For Apple Devices: Find My, made by Apple
For Android Devices: Tracker Detect, made by Apple
If you are experiencing tech abuse, you are not alone. Find support in your community by connecting with a BC Society of Transition Houses Member Program or check out our other safety resources at techsafebc.bcsth.ca.
©BC Society of Transition Houses, Tech Safe BC Project, 2026. We encourage others to share this material, provided BC Society of Transition Houses is acknowledged