If you have an iPhone, you may have noticed that it periodically alerts you if an unknown accessory is detected nearby. There are many reasons you could be notified of this. It is usually due to a Bluetooth connection between an accessory and your device. The information below describes how you can check to see if you have an item in your possession and how you can deal with the alert.
Resetting your AirTags
If you have an Apple AirTag, you may have noticed that it plays an audible alert whenever an “Unknown Accessory” is detected nearby. This can be irritating, especially if you’re on the move with other people. The good news is that you can easily disable this feature.
To turn off the “Unknown Accessory” alert, you’ll need to disable Bluetooth. You can do this by going into Find My app. There, you can also turn off tracking. Afterwards, you’ll only be shown the last known location of the AirTag. However, you should also know that turning off Bluetooth will not prevent unwanted tracking.
Another way to find an AirTag is by tapping on the notification that is displayed. You will then get the owner’s information, as well as a play button that can trigger a loud sound to help you locate the device.
In iOS 14.5 or later, you can set “Pause Safety Alerts” in AirTag settings via Find My. It’ll stop alerting you for up to a day.
Checking if an item is in Bluetooth range
Did you know that there are mobile applications that can alert you to nearby Bluetooth enabled devices. Not only are they useful for security, they can be handy for a night out on the town. If you are in the market for an iPhone or iPad, there is no reason to let the bad guys get away with your data. Using apps like this will ensure you never have to wonder who stole your iDevice. This is especially true if you are on the road or in the wild. Thankfully, they are free. A small download is all that’s required. You can even have them send you a gift certificate to boot!
There is one drawback: the app is only available in the US. Luckily, you can find the same functionality in other countries. For instance, you can download the app on your Android phone. One caveat is that you’ll have to pay a premium to download the app on your iOS device.
Dealing with the alert
If you’ve been alerted that an unknown accessory is detected near your iPhone, don’t panic. You can still retrieve the item if you know the right way to handle the alert. But, if you don’t, you might have to call the police. Fortunately, Apple has released an official solution for the doithuong issue.
The “unknown accessory detected” alert means that an item compatible with the Find My network has been detected in the vicinity of your device. Using the Find My app, you can find out where the item is located. Once you’ve determined where it is, you can tap on the alert. At this point, you’ll hear a chirp.
If you don’t want the alert to come back again, you can disable it by clicking on the notification. It can be paused for up to a day. When the alert goes away, it’ll no longer be listed in your notifications.
If you think you have an AirTag or other accessory that’s been detected, you can search for it using the Find My app. Several features have been implemented to help you locate the accessory.
