Respond to an unknown tracker alert on Android

An unknown tracker alert may mean a compatible Bluetooth tracker separated from its owner has traveled with you. It can also be a benign misplaced item. Treat the alert seriously without assuming it identifies the owner or reveals a complete history.

Before you start​

If you feel in immediate danger, move to a safe public place and contact local emergency services. Do not travel to a suspected person's home or confront anyone because of a map dot.

Do it step by step​

1. Open the alert and review the map and times showing where the tracker was detected. Save screenshots if you may need to report a repeated pattern.
2. Use the alert's Play sound or nearby-search controls if offered. Search bags, clothing and a vehicle you can safely inspect. Ask a trusted person for help if that is safer.
3. If you find an unfamiliar tracker, follow Android's on-screen information steps to identify its device details and how to disable it. Photograph the item and its identifier before changing anything if evidence may matter.
4. If you cannot find it, open Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts → Scan now for a current nearby check. A manual scan detects nearby separated trackers; it does not prove one traveled with you.
5. Contact the appropriate authority or a trusted safety organization if the pattern suggests stalking. Preserve the alert, device ID and relevant dates. Review whether your own phone's location sharing also needs attention.

Check the result​

After moving to safety, note whether the same tracker appears again and whether the alert's detection history matches your movements. Repeated scans can help, but a clean scan is not a guarantee.

If something goes wrong​

A tracker may be out of Bluetooth range or near its owner and therefore not ring. Turning alerts off can clear previous alert information, so avoid doing that while investigating.

Know the limit​

Google explains that alerts need evidence of movement over time and that a manual scan has different criteria. Neither is a complete anti-stalking tool; your safety plan matters more than perfect detection. Google's unknown-tracker safety instructions