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Apr 12, 2001
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With the iOS 15.2 beta that was released today, Apple has added enhancements to the Find My app. There's a new feature that's designed to let users scan for AirTags or Find My-enabled items that might be tracking them.

apple-unknown-items-scan.jpg

When opening the Find My app after installing the beta and going to the "Items" tab, there's an option for "Items That Can Track Me." Tapping on this allows users to search for nearby items that might be used to track their location.

When activated, the Unknown Items feature scans for anything that's nearby, and will let users know either way if there's a device that belongs to someone else nearby. If an item is detected, Apple offers instructions on how to disable the device so that it can no longer be used for tracking purposes.

Apple also has a "Help Return Lost Items" option, which is the same as the prior "Identify Found Item." The Help Return Lost Items feature launches a scan that locates nearby devices and provides instructions on how to contact the device's owner, with instructions personalized based on the device in question.

AirTags and items with Find My integration are meant to allow users to track their lost devices, but there have been concerns that AirTags can be planted on people for stalking purposes. To prevent stalking with AirTags and other devices, Apple has implemented several safety measures.

AirTags are designed to start playing a sound between eight and 24 hours after being separated from their owner, and iPhone users are alerted if an AirTag is traveling with them. Apple is working on an Android app that will let Android users detect an unknown AirTag or Find My network-enabled item to prevent AirTags from being used to stalk Android users.

Article Link: iOS 15.2 Adds Option to Scan for Nearby AirTags and Find My-Enabled Items
 
Recently my AirPod Pro’s have been going crazy with find my notifications. It got really bad one day, with about a dozen alerts and then while listening to a podcast both the AirPod Pro’s I was wearing and the non-pro I have at home were deleted from my Bluetooth list. Repairing fixed the find my issue and then yesterday it started alerting me that I left them behind even though they were in my pocket.
 
Ok so this has downgraded its ranking from partially useful to fully useless for me. What’s the point of for example placing a airtag in a bag, if the perpetrator can just pull out his phone, confirm there is one and disable it.

What’s the point of this Device?
 
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Pretty lame. I get Apple’s intent but it seems contradictory. Why work with Van Moof to integrate Find My/AirTag functionality into bikes? Are people losing their bikes with no theft involved? This sends mixed messaging.

Yes, it’s for lost items. But stolen items are lost items too.
 
Does this feature allow someone to see the name of the AirTag? If so, there is now no value to the device. I don't need someone to be able to use my AirTags to "find" my golf clubs in my car or my keys (making it easier to steal them) or my wallet. Seems to just be easier for criminals to use AirTags to find something to steal. I'm rarely using an AirTag on something of little value to me.
 
And thieves everywhere rejoice.

This is STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!
Quite likely Apple’s worst decision ever.

I want my money back for the now useless AirTags that I bought.
I mean, they were incredibly clear about this from Day 1.
 
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