Detecting Hidden Trackers Using Your Smartphone

Sep 23, 2025

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A Safety Guide For Sex Workers of All Kinds

Let’s not sugarcoat it. If you’re a face-forward content creator or provide in person services, you are more likely to be targeted for tracking than the average person. Whether it’s a disgruntled fan, a toxic ex, or a stalker who thinks you “owe” them access, the threat is real. But so is your power to detect it early.

This guide breaks down why and how to use your smartphone to check for hidden trackers like Apple AirTags, Tiles, or other Bluetooth-based stalker devices—on both iOS and Android.

What We’ve Seen Reported

Help! Got an AirTag notification after meeting 2 clients

This person who occasionally escorts ended up finding an air tag located in the lining of their coat pocket after an in person service:

“Help! So, I’m an occasional escort, and I really need some advice on a situation that’s got me kinda freaking out. Yesterday, I had a call-out with two clients at an Airbnb they rented. Let’s call them A and B. A is a regular I’ve seen seven times, so I kinda trust him, but B is someone I’ve only met twice. We spent like nine hours together—grabbed dinner at a restaurant, then hopped in client A’s car to head to the Airbnb. Everything seemed chill, and I took a taxi home after. But then this evening, BOOM, I check my iPhone and I see notification saying an AirTag was following me. I’ve got two phones (an iPhone and a Samsung ), but the notification only popped up on the iPhone. I’m like, how long has this thing been tracking me? It’s seriously stressing me out. And here’s where it gets weird: just a few minutes after I got home, client B messaged me saying “thanks and all the bla blaa…” and asking if I got home safe. I replied like an idiot that I did, but now I’m wondering if his message and the AirTag are connected somehow. For some background, I’m super careful about my privacy . I always lie about where I live, and I live alone with my cat. But this AirTag thing? It’s got me super worried about my safety. Has anyone else dealt with something like this? What should I do about the AirTag? Should I be freaking out about client B, or is this just some random coincidence? Any advice would be awesome, I’m totally lost on how to handle this”

Update: I just found the AirTag and I’m literally shaking. It was hidden inside the lining of my coat . someone had cut a small hole under the armpit area and slid it in. like… wtf?! That’s so calculated it makes me sick When I scanned it with my iPhone, I saw the serial number and the tracking apparently started right after dinner with the two clients. So yeah… it was on me the entire time after that. I took the battery out ,and left my apartment . I’m honestly in full panic right now. I don’t know what to do”

SD put a tracker on my car

This person who sugars ended up finding a airtag on her vehicle after meeting her sugar daddy.

“I took safety precautions. Fake name, fake number, photos which can’t be reverse image searched, some vetting, used Uber, met in public, shared my location with a friend.

He was educated, polite, not pushy, not creepy. He bought me nice clothes, shoes, jewelry, gave me money. Of course I still didn’t trust him, but I guess I got too comfortable with him, let my guard down slightly. I told him too much about my life, and crucially, started driving my own car to see him.

Last night I got a notification that an AirTag was moving with me. I found it on my car, totally hidden. If it wasn’t for the notification I would have had absolutely no clue.

I saved the information from the tracker, deactivated it, and called police. In the time it took cops to show up and take my report, I checked the AirTag info against my contacts (it shows the last 4 digits of the connected phone number). It was his fucking number. He found out where I lived and attached a tracker to my fucking car.

I’m honestly terrified. What’s his endgame? I’ve been staying away from my house, but for how long? Are there more trackers I don’t know about? The police can only do so much. He hasn’t even committed a crime yet! I was told a judge might not even approve a protection order, since there’s no pattern of harassment.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this? I’ve already spoken to police, victim’s advocate, and my local women’s center. I’d appreciate any advice. Yes, I have pepper spray.”

Client left his tracker AirTag in my purse…

This person found an air tag zipped into one of the pockets in their purse after meeting a client.

“I’m losing it y’all. Saw a regular today, everything seemed normal. Sweet guy, nothing weird. I get home and my phone pings “An AirTag is moving with you.” I’m like HUH??? I don’t even own an AirTag. I dig through my bag and find one zipped in the side pocket of my purse. I text him like “Did you put this in my bag?” and he says “Oh it must have fallen in by accident” like SIR. HOW. Blocked, blacklisted, and reported to literally everyone I know. I feel sick thinking of how many times I went to his house and trusted him.

Please, please check your bags and cars after EVERY booking.“

How to Detect If You Are Being Tracked

What You’re Looking For: Common Tracker Types

These are the most common trackers someone could hide in your bag, car, or even coat lining:

Apple AirTags
Tile Trackers
Chipolo, Samsung SmartTags, and other Bluetooth-based finders

They’re small, cheap, and can silently follow your location if you don’t detect them.

How to Set Up Auto Alerts on Smartphones

iPhone (iOS 14.5+ and up)

Apple has built-in protection against AirTags. You just need to ensure it’s turned on.

✅ Turn On “Item Safety Alerts”

Open Find My app
Tap Me (bottom right)
Toggle ON Item Safety Alerts
- This ensures you get a notification if an unknown AirTag or compatible device is moving with you

This runs automatically in the background. You do not need an app to scan AirTags on iPhone, it’s built-in.

Android

Android doesn’t have native detection unless you’re on a Pixel or Samsung with recent updates. But you can recreate the same protection:

✅ AirGuard (by TU Darmstadt)

Download AirGuard from Google Play
Open the app and go through initial setup
In Settings, make sure:
- “Background Scanning” is ON
- “Notifications” are enabled
- “Show Map of Tracker Movement” is enabled
Allow the app to run in the background (disable battery optimization for AirGuard if needed)

That’s it. AirGuard will now:

Auto-scan as you move
Notify you if a tracker is following you across time and distance
Show historical routes if applicable

How to Manually Scan on Different Devices

iPhone (iOS 14.5 and Up)

✅ Method 1: Use Apple’s Find My System (for AirTags only) (Only works for Apple-certified trackers (like AirTags or AirPods.))

Open the Find My app
Tap the Items tab (bottom)
Look for any devices listed that are not yours
If you see something unfamiliar:
- Tap it
- Check if it’s marked as “Unknown item”
- Choose “Play Sound” to help locate it

✅ Method 2: Use the Tracker Detect App (For one-time scans) (This does NOT run in the background. You have to initiate the scan manually.)

Download Tracker Detect from the App Store (by Apple)
Open the app
Tap Scan
- It’ll search for nearby AirTags that aren’t yours
If it finds one, it will give you the option to play a sound or get more info

Android Devices (All Brands)

✅ Best Manual Scan App: AirGuard

Download AirGuard from the Google Play Store (TU Darmstadt)
Open the app
Tap the Scan Now button on the home screen
It will look for:
- AirTags
- Tile
- Chipolo
- Samsung SmartTags
If it finds something:
- Tap the tracker to see movement history
- Use “Play Sound” if available

✅ Backup App: Apple Tracker Detect (Tracker must have been separated from its owner for 10–15 minutes before it becomes detectable.)

Download from Play Store
Open and tap Scan
Only detects AirTags
It will offer to play a sound if one is found

Samsung Galaxy Devices (Additional Manual Option)

✅ Use SmartThings Find > Unknown Tag Search (This doesn’t detect Tile, Chipolo, or SmartTags—just AirTags.)

Open SmartThings app
Tap the Life tab
Select Unknown Tag Search
It will scan for unregistered AirTags nearby

What To Do If You Find a Tracker

Here’s a clear, no-nonsense checklist you can follow the moment you physically find a tag. I know this is a terrifying moment and a clear threat. But clear heads will stay safe. Document everything, and get yourself safe.

Get safe and pause
1.1 Move to a public, well-lit place. If you are driving, DO NOT GO HOME. You going home is their goal. Consider a police station parking lot.
1.2 Tell a trusted person where you are and what is happening.
Document before touching
2.1 Photograph the device in place from a few angles.
2.2 Note date, time, exact location found.
Decide: preserve evidence or disable now
3.1 If you feel at risk, disable immediately.
3.2 If you feel safe and want maximum evidence, isolate it first, then call police.
Isolate the device as best as possible so it stops transmitting your live location
4.1 Put it in a Faraday sleeve or wrap tightly in several layers of aluminum foil.
4.2 Or drop it in a metal tin with a tight lid.
Identify the type and record identifiers
5.1 AirTag: tap the white side with any NFC phone to open a web page that shows the serial number. Also photograph the printed serial inside the battery compartment if opened.
5.2 Samsung SmartTag or Tile or Chipolo: look for model printing on the case. Photograph any serials.
5.3 GPS or OBD vehicle tracker: photograph the label, SIM tray, and any serial or IMEI.
Disable safely (only if you choose not to preserve it live for evidence)
6.1 AirTag: press and twist the stainless back, remove cover, take out the CR2032 battery.
6.2 Samsung SmartTag or Chipolo: pry open per seam, remove coin cell battery.
6.3 Tile models with replaceable battery: open and remove battery. If sealed battery: keep it isolated in foil or a tin.
6.4 OBD plug-in tracker: unplug from the OBD-II port under the dash. Photograph before unplugging.
6.5 Hardwired or magnetic GPS box on a vehicle: do not cut wires unless necessary for immediate safety. Keep isolated and contact police or a mechanic.
Call law enforcement
7.1 Provide photos, serial numbers, IMEI if present, and the exact place you found it.
7.2 Keep the device and battery together in a bag or tin until officers advise. Listen I know this is shitty already and it might feel like involving police is too much, but this is a direct threat on your physical safety if not life. Treat it as such.
Check for more devices
8.1 Do a quick physical sweep of bags, jacket seams, car wheel wells, under seats, and bumpers.
8.2 Run an unknown-tracker scan on your phone afterward to be sure nothing else is riding along.
Lock down digital sharing
9.1 On iPhone: check Find My and Location Sharing for unknown people, and review your app permissions.
9.2 On Android: check Google Location Sharing and app permissions.
9.3 Change any shared passwords someone else might know.
After-action steps
10.1 Vary routines for a bit.
10.2 If the device was found on a vehicle, consider a mechanic inspection.
10.3 Save all notes and photos in one place.

This Is Not Paranoia. This Is Protection.

Let’s make one thing very clear: you are not overreacting for wanting to scan your bags, coats, car, or space after a booking. Whether you’re a digital creator, an in-person provider, or someone who blends both…you live in a world where visibility comes with risk. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you sensible.

You should absolutely make this a required part of your routine to manually check for trackers after any in person engagement, and when given any physical items even through the mail.

And the truth? The stories in this guide aren’t edge cases. They are patterns. AirTags in coat linings. Trackers hidden in purses. Devices stuck to cars after a date. It’s not a glitch yall it’s a tactic. But now you have your counter-tactic.

This isn’t about living in fear. It’s about living in control. You do not owe anyone access to your location, your body, or your private life. no matter how much they tip, how kind they seem, or how long you’ve known them. The first time someone crosses the line, it’s already too many.

So here’s what I want you to remember:

Scan before you settle. Don’t go home if it feels off. Get loud if you need to. And most of all, trust your gut, even when it’s inconvenient. Your boundaries are valid. Your safety is non-negotiable.

Disclaimer: I am a Samsung android girly pop. I do not have any other devices. These instructions are resource based and could be incorrect. Please reach out here if you see corrections that need made.