AirTag competitor Tile releases its anti-stalking safety feature

By now, you’re likely familiar with the horror stories featuring bad actors using Apple’s AirTags to track, monitor, and outright stalk individuals. But this issue isn’t unique to Apple’s tracking device. In fact, well before the company even released AirTags, if a person wanted to track a lost item, they’d likely go with Tile.

On Thursday, Tile announced the launch of its new anti-stalking feature that can be found within its mobile app. The feature, known as “Scan and Secure,” will allow anyone — even those who do not own a Tile tracking device — to scan for unknown and unwanted Tiles.

The free app is available on both iPhone and Android devices. Users will need the latest version of the app. Certain permissions, such as Bluetooth, Location Services, and Precise Location will need to be activated in order for the “Scan and Secure” feature to work.

According to TechCrunch, the feature doesn’t provide a way for a user to find the exact location of a Tile that’s within their immediate vicinity. Instead, a user will need to remove themselves from the area and travel some distance away from their original location in order for the feature to work. In addition, the feature will not work if you remain in your location or travel to a busy area like a crowded public space where other Tiles could interfere with the scan.

Tile says that for the most accurate results, a full scan can take up to 10 minutes. Tile recommends multiple scans as well to ensure the original scan doesn’t pick up the wrong device from a passerby.

The app will allow users to save their results when an unwanted device is found so they can provide the information to law enforcement if necessary. 

When comparing Tile’s new “Scan and Secure” with the AirTag security updates that Apple released in February, Tile’s feature comes up short. Apple, for example, provides iPhone users with a proactive warning message when the device detects that an unknown AirTag has been following a user. Tile, on the other hand, requires that users take action and manually conduct a scan.

As an originator in the tracking space, it’s a little surprising that its taken this long for Tile to roll out such a feature, too. Apple first launched its AirTags in April 2021. Tile’s history goes back to 2012, with its first tracking devices rolling out shortly after.

But the move is still very much welcome. Hopefully, with the two biggest players in the space taking these safety issues seriously, nefarious uses will become less and less common.