Can you use AirTags with an Android phone or tablet? The answer is both no and yes. Apple's tracking tags are meant to be used with an iPhone, with Android support being basic at best. You can track unwanted AirTags using an Android device, but that's about it. There's no way to set up an AirTag if you don't own an iPhone.

Below is everything you need to know about using AirTags on Android.

How Do Apple AirTags Work?

AirTags rely on Apple's Find My network to relay their location. They periodically send out Bluetooth LE pings that other Apple devices that run on the Find My network can pick up. This data is then transmitted to Apple's servers, allowing the original AirTag owner to view its location.

Find My network integration remains a key highlight of AirTags, which sets them apart from other trackers on the market.

For safety reasons, the Bluetooth signal identifiers transmitted by an AirTag are randomized at regular intervals, so malicious users cannot monitor and track them.

Man holding an AirTag and an iPhone

The tracker also features Apple's U1 Ultra Wideband chip for more accurate location tracking in closed spaces called Precision Finding. It only works with iPhones that have the U1 chip built-in, found in iPhone 12 and newer models. This feature ensures you are able to get the precise location of the tracker when you are near it but can't find its exact location.

As is evident from their functioning, AirTags are heavily integrated into Apple's ecosystem and cannot function without it. Check out our in-depth explainer on how AirTags work for more details on how to use the item tracker.

Can You Set Up AirTags Using an Android Phone?

No. It is not possible to set up an AirTag using an Android device. You must set up the tracker using an iPhone and Apple's Find My network. The tracker is incompatible with Google's Find My Android app or network, and you cannot use your Android phone to track an AirTag that was set up using an iPhone.

AirTags can only be tracked using Apple's Find My app, which is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Do AirTags Work With Android?

No. You cannot use your Android phone to set up a new AirTag or track the item it is tagged to. So, if you were planning on purchasing an AirTag to use with your Android phone, look at other alternatives on the market.

Tile is a great AirTag alternative that you can try. And in case you do use an iPhone and have just gotten Apple's tracking tag, follow our guide to set up your AirTags the right way.

message that appears when you scan an airtag on android

However, it is possible to scan an AirTag using an Android device with NFC to find more information about its owner. So, if you ever find an item tagged with an AirTag marked as lost, tap the back of your Android phone on the tracker. A page will open with details about the AirTag and its owner, which you can use to contact the owner.

Can Android Phones Scan for Unwanted AirTags in Your Vicinity?

AirTags are useful for keeping track of items that you tend to misplace frequently. An AirTag is also a great way to keep track of your dog's whereabouts.

But it is also used by people with malicious intent for stalking and other unethical purposes. Thankfully, to ensure the safety of their users and ensure they are not being tracked or stalked by an unwanted AirTag, Apple and Google worked together to bring unknown tracker alerts to Android 6.0+ devices.

Just like your iPhone, if your Android phone detects an unwanted tracker moving with you, an alert will pop up on your phone. You can then use the Play sound option to make the tracker ring and find its exact location. The owner won't be notified about this. Once the tracker is found, tap it on the back of your phone to find more information about its owner.

There's also a manual scanning option tucked under Settings > Safety & emergency > Unknown tracker alerts > Scan Now. Android's unknown tracker detection system currently works with AirTags, but Google plans to expand it to other trackers as well.

Apple initially offered the Tracker Detect Android app for detecting unknown AirTags. The problem with this app was that you had to manually initiate a scan, as it could not automatically look for unwanted trackers in the background. This greatly limits the usefulness of the app.

If the app detects an unknown AirTag in your vicinity, you can use the Play Sound option to ensure the tracker is not being used to stalk you. This option will ring the tracker 10 minutes after you press the button.

The Tracker Detect app also provides relevant instructions to disable the AirTag by removing its battery.

AirTags Don't Work Well With Android

Like other Apple products, AirTags don't work properly with Android. The support is rudimentary at best, just good enough to ensure Android users can find out they are not being tracked using an AirTag. If you don't intend to switch to an iPhone anytime soon but want an item tracker, consider some other alternatives that work properly with Android.