The anti-stalking app AirGuard now also runs on iOS devices. The app promises better tracking protection for iPhone users, as it not only detects AirTags in the area, but also Bluetooth trackers from other manufacturers such as Tile and Samsung’s SmartTags. Protection against Bluetooth trackers is integrated into Apple’s operating system, but this only applies to AirTags and other trackers officially integrated into Apple’s “Where is?” network, for example from manufacturers such as Chipolo, other trackers and networks are ignored by iOS.
Background operation is intended to warn of suspicious trackers
AirGuard allows both to manually scan the environment for Bluetooth trackers and to set up automatic checking in the background. If a tracker is identified that has been in tow at different locations for a long time, the user should receive a warning message and can then view the possibly tracked locations on a map.
The app also allows trackers to be located in the immediate vicinity, but only based on the often heavily fluctuating Bluetooth signal strength. The very precise location via ultra-wideband is only possible with AirTags with Apple’s “Where is?” app.
AirGuard not only captures AirTags in the area, but also other trackers like Tile and Samsung SmartTags.
Tracking protection will be part of iOS and Android in the future
AirGuard is open source and comes from researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt. The developers emphasize that no commercial interests are being pursued with the app, so there should be no advertising or in-app purchases. The app has been available for Android for well over a year. Apple has also delivered an Android app for detecting AirTags, but the latter does not work in the background and is therefore only of very limited use as stalking protection.
Users are free to take part in a study by the university to shed more light on the frequency of stalking with Bluetooth trackers. Apple and Google recently jointly published the draft of an initial specification for manufacturers, which is intended to ensure protection against various Bluetooth trackers at the operating system level in iOS and Android in the future – but probably not until 2024.
(lbe)
