Beware of stalkers? That’s how well the Android app AirGuard works
AirTags, which stalkers use to locate their victims, are making headlines. Apple has been criticized for weeks because of the numerous negative reports. The company is trying to calm the excited minds with new measures – but this is only partially successful. Other manufacturers like Tile complain about the impact of the allegations on the rest of the industry. With AirGuard, a group from the TU Darmstadt wants to protect people from possible stalking attacks – that works better than expected.
The best Android phones
Samsung
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Super display – large, sharp, high-contrast and extremely bright
WiFi 6E
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Big and heavy
No memory card slot
Samsung
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Very bright OLED
Good battery life
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No jack socket
No power supply included
Samsung
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Enormously bright and large OLED
Good battery life
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No jack socket
No power supply included
OnePlus
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Brilliant, crisp 120Hz display
Very good photo quality (main camera)
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Average selfie camera
No jack connection
Samsung
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Fast processor
Bright, high-contrast display
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Display could be sharper
No memory card slot
OnePlus
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Very high speed
Very good screen
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Memory not expandable
No jack socket
Google
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Great screen
Good photo quality
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No jack socket
No memory card slot
OnePlus
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Very high speed
Good endurance, very fast loading
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No wireless charging
Not waterproof
Samsung
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No jack socket
No memory card slot
Google
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Great screen
Good photo quality
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No jack socket
Wide display border
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When AirGuard suddenly reports
To start AirGuard, I installed the app on my smartphone. I didn’t think anyone with an AirTag was following me, but I was curious nonetheless. I kept the application on my smartphone even after my first report – it soon fell into oblivion. Until last Friday (February 25, 2022): I took the metronome from Hamburg to Bremen and sat in a comparatively empty spacious compartment. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere between two stops, I checked my phone.
I was in for a surprise: the AirGuard app suddenly responded with an attention symbol. You have found an unknown tracker and you want me to look at the details. I promptly took a look at the app and noticed several encounters with the unknown fellow passenger. AirGuard displayed three different points. One thing struck me: They were all on the railway line I was traveling on. Apparently someone who was traveling with me was using the AirTag. That’s why I refrained from ringing the tracker and going on a search.
The app provides a detailed overview of when the device was recognized.
Better to be overly cautious than careless
Am I now disappointed with the app? no way! In my case, there was obviously no reason to get excited – because after the one notification on the train, the app no longer triggered. Nevertheless, it is good to know that the system works. The accuracy of the information and the assistance made me feel good. I now know that the app works and warns me when in doubt. The alarm also brought another discovery to light: I looked into AirGuard again and discovered that the app really records and notes every tracker. The app spits out 153 other devices for the past 14 days. However, most of these have only been recognized once – chance encounters in public. These are not always AirTags: every device with Apple’s search network recognizes the app – including iPhones and AirPods. That’s why it’s always worth taking a second look before you panic.
