iOS 17.5 Might Expand 'Found Moving With You' Alerts to Third-Party Item Trackers

Apple and Google last year jointly announced a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-like "Found Moving With You" alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which may be iOS 17.5.

AirTag and iPhone Notification Feature
MacRumors contributor Steve Moser uncovered several new references to alerts for third-party item trackers in the first beta of iOS 17.5, released this week. For example: "You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item."

Tile, Chipolo, Samsung, Eufy, and Pebblebee all expressed support for the industry specification, according to Apple's announcement last year.

iOS 17.5 is expected to be released to the public in May.

Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

CarAnalogy Avatar
16 weeks ago

So if someone steals my checked luggage (which has a tracker), the thief will get a notice and instructions on how to stop me from tracking my bag?? I hope I'm missing something.

Rather the other way around. Someone is slipping this into your pocket to find out where your live, your habbits and stalking you. Not something pleasant, especially for those vulnerable or in abusive relationships.
This product has a fundamental problem. People want to use it for two mutually exclusive cases. Apple has to do absolutely everything they can to prevent people being tracked without their permission because people are already blowing the stalking aspect way out of proportion. Thieves don't want to be tracked, either. So it's an unsolvable problem.

I say this as someone personally aware of a case where an AirTag was used for stalking. That was one of many items on this person's long list of offenses. This person abused everything at their disposal including AirTags. Nobody can stop people abusing legitimate items. Everything is a weapon, as they say.

All Apple can do is officially declare them to be not for tracking stolen items, and be seen to be as anti-stalker as possible, because we live in history's most litigious society.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigBellyBelcher Avatar
16 weeks ago
Wish they would allow "verified users" via Apple Card and other ways to use these for recovering stolen items without all these features making them worthless. Someone with all their financials tied to an iCloud account would be easily caught if using these illegally.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
visasavo Avatar
16 weeks ago

Rather the other way around. Someone is slipping this into your pocket to find out where your live, your habbits and stalking you. Not something pleasant, especially for those vulnerable or in abusive relationships.
Highly unlikely. Its silly to handicap the Main Feature of a product to accomodate an unlikely misusage of the product. Whoever pushes this silly argument needs to get a reality check.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
16 weeks ago

Yeah, and while I'm sitting on the plane am I going to get notifications for a 100 bags that are following me in the baggage compartment?
If you have 100 bags following you in the baggage compartment.... an AIrTag would be the least of my concerns...

This is the thing of nightmares. Especially if you have to run, once off the plane.. to get away from that baggage following you around.

This is why you should always avoid people with baggage.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
16 weeks ago

This product has a fundamental problem. People want to use it for two mutually exclusive cases. Apple has to do absolutely everything they can to prevent people being tracked without their permission because people are already blowing the stalking aspect way out of proportion. Thieves don't want to be tracked, either. So it's an unsolvable problem.

I say this as someone personally aware of a case where an AirTag was used for stalking. Trust me, that was one of many items on this person's long list of offenses. This person abused everything at their disposal including AirTags. Nobody can stop people abusing legitimate items. Everything is a weapon, as they say.

All Apple can do is officially declare them to be not for tracking stolen items, and be seen to be as anti-stalker as possible, because we live in history's most litigious society.
I think they are stuck in a hard place with this.... but like anything any business sells... its products and services can be used for good or bad.

It's like a car company telling a customer they really shouldn't run over people. A kitchen utensils company telling a customer they shouldn't attack people.

Some things just require common sense... and we need good law enforcement and justice system to deal with the bad people who use everyday items.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RUptown Avatar
16 weeks ago
So if someone steals my checked luggage (which has a tracker), the thief will get a notice and instructions on how to stop me from tracking my bag?? I hope I'm missing something.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)