“This AirTag was seen nearby” - meaning?

What exactly does the above-phrase mean? I’m getting it periodically throughout the past 12 hours as I search for my cat outdoors, who is wearing an AirTag.


But does that just mean the cat’s AirTag came within close proximity of an iPhone with Bluetooth? Or does that mean someone has reported seeing the cat with the AirTag?


And if I keep getting that message notification on occasion every 30-40 minutes or so, is that current, updated info?


Sometimes, another version of the message appears with the address (e.g. This item was seen near 123 Main St) …again, is notification occurring every time the cat’s AirTag is in range of a Bluetooth’d iPhone?


Thanks in advance for any/all insight you can provide.

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Posted on Sep 29, 2022 07:25 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 1, 2022 07:28 AM

Hello cmmndr504,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand the concern with these AirTag alerts, and we'd be happy to clear things up. Find My displays a map of where the AirTag has been observed with you. To disable the AirTag, and stop it from sharing its location, tap Instructions to Disable and follow the onscreen steps. After the AirTag is disabled, you can no longer get updates on its current location. You will also no longer receive any unwanted tracking alerts for this item.


For more information, please check this out:


What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods is with you - Apple Support


We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 1, 2022 07:28 AM in response to cmmndr504

Hello cmmndr504,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand the concern with these AirTag alerts, and we'd be happy to clear things up. Find My displays a map of where the AirTag has been observed with you. To disable the AirTag, and stop it from sharing its location, tap Instructions to Disable and follow the onscreen steps. After the AirTag is disabled, you can no longer get updates on its current location. You will also no longer receive any unwanted tracking alerts for this item.


For more information, please check this out:


What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, Find My network accessory, or set of AirPods is with you - Apple Support


We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.


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“This AirTag was seen nearby” - meaning?

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