How to Find an AirTag in My Car: Uncovering Hidden Tracking Devices in Your Vehicle

Privacy violations have taken on a distinctly modern flavor in recent years, with tracking technology becoming smaller, cheaper, and disturbingly accessible. Among the most concerning developments has been the misuse of Apple's AirTag devices—those innocent-looking coin-sized discs originally designed to help people find their keys have become tools for stalkers, suspicious partners, and other bad actors to monitor unsuspecting victims' movements. If you've got that nagging feeling someone might be tracking your car, or if your iPhone has alerted you to an unknown AirTag traveling with you, you're right to take it seriously.

I've spent considerable time researching this issue after helping a friend who discovered her ex had planted one of these devices in her vehicle. The experience taught me that finding these tiny trackers requires both systematic searching and understanding how they work. What struck me most was how something designed with good intentions could so easily become a tool for harassment.

Understanding the Technology Behind Your Search

Before diving into the physical hunt, it helps to grasp what you're dealing with. AirTags communicate using Bluetooth Low Energy, creating a mesh network with nearby Apple devices. This means they don't need their own cellular connection—they piggyback on the iPhones of passersby to report their location back to the owner. Pretty clever engineering, but also what makes them so effective for unwanted tracking.

The devices emit a Bluetooth signal roughly every few seconds when in motion. After three days of separation from their owner, they'll start making a chirping sound—though this feature can be disabled if someone removes the speaker (which takes about two minutes and a YouTube tutorial). The battery lasts about a year, so even an AirTag planted months ago could still be active.

Digital Detection Methods

Your smartphone is actually your first line of defense. If you have an iPhone running iOS 14.5 or later, Apple has built in notifications that alert you when an unknown AirTag is traveling with you. The notification usually appears after you've arrived home—Apple deliberately delays it to prevent alerting someone who might be nearby and dangerous.

Android users weren't initially included in Apple's safety features, which frankly felt like a massive oversight. Thankfully, Apple released the "Tracker Detect" app for Android, though you have to manually scan for devices rather than receiving automatic alerts. Several third-party apps like AirGuard also fill this gap, continuously scanning for AirTags and similar trackers.

When your phone detects an unknown AirTag, you can make it play a sound (unless the speaker's been tampered with) and even view its serial number. This information becomes crucial if you need to involve law enforcement later.

The Physical Hunt: Where These Devices Hide

Now comes the hands-on part. I've found that people who plant AirTags in vehicles tend to think alike—they want spots that are accessible but not obvious. Having helped several people search their cars, certain patterns emerge.

Start with the wheel wells. It's shocking how many trackers end up here, usually attached with strong magnets or heavy-duty tape. Run your hand along the inside of each wheel well, feeling for anything that doesn't belong. The area above the tires, where the metal curves inward, is particularly popular because it's shielded from view but easily reached.

The undercarriage presents more challenges. You'll want to get down on the ground (a mechanic's creeper helps immensely) and systematically check the frame rails, around the spare tire, and near the gas tank. AirTags in waterproof cases with magnetic backs stick easily to any flat metal surface. I once found one tucked behind a heat shield near the exhaust—creative, if disturbing.

Inside the vehicle, the search becomes more meticulous. Check under all seats, including the tracks and springs. The gap between seat cushions has hidden more than one tracker. Don't forget to pop the hood—the engine bay offers numerous hiding spots, particularly around the battery, fuse box, and firewall. One particularly sneaky placement I encountered was inside the air filter housing.

The trunk demands special attention. Lift the carpet, check the spare tire well, and examine any storage compartments. Side panels in trunks often pop off easily, creating perfect hiding spots. In SUVs and hatchbacks, the area around the rear hatch hinges deserves scrutiny.

Some locations require removing panels or accessories. The plastic bumper covers, both front and rear, can often accommodate an AirTag. Roof racks, bike racks, and trailer hitches provide external hiding spots that many people overlook. Even something as innocuous as a dealer-installed splash guard might conceal a tracker.

Less Obvious Hiding Spots

Through my research and conversations with security professionals, I've learned about some genuinely crafty concealment methods. One person discovered an AirTag sewn into their car's floor mat—completely invisible until they noticed the stitching looked slightly off. Another found one inside a tissue box in their back seat, mixed in with actual tissues.

The obsessive tracker might go further. I've heard of AirTags hidden inside aftermarket phone mounts, tucked into the foam of headrests, and even placed inside hubcaps (though this requires removing the wheel). One particularly troubling case involved a tracker hidden inside a child's car seat—a reminder that whoever does this knows your routines intimately.

What to Do When You Find One

Discovering an AirTag in your car triggers a mix of emotions—relief at finding it, anger at the violation, and often fear about who placed it there. Your first instinct might be to destroy it or throw it away, but that's actually not the best move.

Document everything first. Take photos showing exactly where you found it, how it was attached, and any identifying marks. If possible, wear gloves when handling it to preserve fingerprints. The serial number on the back becomes important evidence—law enforcement can request Apple to provide information about the registered owner, though this requires proper legal channels.

Consider your safety before taking any action. If you suspect an abusive partner or stalker, removing the AirTag might escalate the situation. Some victims choose to leave it in place temporarily while working with law enforcement or domestic violence advocates to develop a safety plan. Others attach it to a public bus or delivery truck to throw off their tracker while they seek help.

Prevention and Ongoing Vigilance

After this experience, you'll probably wonder how to prevent it from happening again. Regular visual inspections help, especially after your car's been in for service, valet parked, or left anywhere with public access. Some people install dash cameras that record even when parked, which can capture someone planting a device.

Consider varying your routines if you suspect ongoing surveillance. Take different routes, park in different spots, and remain aware of your surroundings. If you're genuinely concerned about sophisticated tracking, professional counter-surveillance sweeps can detect not just AirTags but GPS trackers and other devices.

The Bigger Picture

What bothers me most about this whole situation is how it represents technology's double-edged nature. AirTags work brilliantly for their intended purpose—I use them on my keys and in my luggage. But the same features that make them useful for finding lost items make them perfect for invading privacy.

Apple has made improvements, like louder alert sounds and better detection notifications, but the fundamental issue remains: any tracking technology can be misused. The responsibility falls on all of us to stay informed and vigilant. Check your car periodically, trust your instincts if something feels off, and don't hesitate to seek help if you discover unwanted tracking.

This modern twist on an old problem—unwanted surveillance—requires modern solutions. By understanding the technology and knowing where to look, you can protect your privacy and safety. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you're not being tracked? That's worth every minute spent searching.

Authoritative Sources:

Apple Inc. "AirTag and Unwanted Tracking." Apple Support, support.apple.com/en-us/HT212227.

Fowler, Geoffrey A. "Apple's AirTag Trackers Made It Easy for Stalkers." The Washington Post, 2021, washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/05/04/apple-airtag-stalking.

National Network to End Domestic Violence. "Technology Safety & Privacy: A Toolkit for Survivors." NNEDV, 2021, techsafety.org/resources-survivors.

Valentino-DeVries, Jennifer. "How to Check Your Car for Hidden GPS Trackers." The New York Times, 2022, nytimes.com/2022/02/16/technology/personaltech/airtag-tracker-stalking-safety.html.