iOS 17.5 Introduces Support for Cross-Platform Tracking Detection

Apple has announced that iOS 17.5 introduces support for Cross-Platform Tracking Detection.

Apple worked with Google to establish an industry specification — Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers — for Bluetooth tracking devices. The specification makes it possible to alert users across both iOS and Android if such a device is unknowingly being used to track them. This aims to mitigate the misuse of devices designed to help keep track of belongings. Today Apple is implementing this capability in iOS 17.5, and Google is now launching this capability on Android 6.0+ devices.

Users will now get an "[Item] Found Moving With You" alert on their device if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time, regardless of the platform the device is paired with.


If a user gets such an alert on their iOS device, it means that someone else's AirTag, Find My accessory, or other industry specification-compatible Bluetooth tracker is moving with them. It's possible the tracker is attached to an item the user is borrowing, but if not, iPhone can view the tracker's identifier, have the tracker play a sound to help locate it, and access instructions to disable it. Bluetooth tag manufacturers including Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee have committed that future tags will be compatible.

The cross-platform collaboration also offers instructions and best practices for manufacturers, should they choose to build unwanted tracking alert capabilities into their products. Apple and Google will continue to work with the Internet Engineering Task Force via the Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers working group to develop the official standard for this technology.

You can learn about the other new features in iOS 17.5 here:
● iOS 17.5 Release Notes

You can download iOS 17.5 here:
● Where to Download iOS


Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more iOS updates.