Can Airpods still be tracked with Find My Airpods after reset?

[caitikitty]

OK, so there’s a funny story behind this:

Our truck was broken into last night, and the dumb criminals left their airpods inside!

The police gave them to us to keep, and they have been thoroughly cleaned. We’re thinking about giving them to my 12 year old sister who has wanted airpods for a while now, but even after complete reset, would they still be connected to Find My Airpods?

The last thing we want is a little girl being tracked down by criminals because she has their airpods, it could be very dangerous for her...

 

[Annie_M]

Hello and welcome to iMore! I'm sorry you've had to go through such an experience. Having been the recent victim of a robbery, I well understand your concern about the criminals being able to track anyone who uses the AirPods. In regards to your question, I think that it depends on whether or not the criminals had "Find my AirPods" turned on. Check out this article from Apple.

If I were you, I would actually contact Apple Support and share your concerns. They will be able to give you a precise answer to your question.

 

[Just_Me_D]

OK, so there’s a funny story behind this:

Our truck was broken into last night, and the dumb criminals left their airpods inside!

The police gave them to us to keep, and they have been thoroughly cleaned. We’re thinking about giving them to my 12 year old sister who has wanted airpods for a while now, but even after complete reset, would they still be connected to Find My Airpods?

The last thing we want is a little girl being tracked down by criminals because she has their airpods, it could be very dangerous for her...

Wait. Are you telling me that police gave you evidence from a crime instead of taking it, dusting it for prints and putting it in evidence lockup? And you’ve gone ahead and “thoroughly cleaned” them and thus wiping away a main avenue of identifying the alleged criminal. Wow!

 

[caitikitty]

Wait. Are you telling me that police gave you evidence from a crime instead of taking it, dusting it for prints and putting it in evidence lockup? And you’ve gone ahead and “thoroughly cleaned” them and thus wiping away a main avenue of identifying the alleged criminal. Wow!

The reason that they gave it to us is because my dad had already touched them, thus getting his prints on the evidence, so it was compromised and unable to be tested. That’s what my dad told me, anyways, as I wasn’t there for the investigation.

I was wondering why they couldn’t have just tested the actual airpods/the inside of the case though, unless my dad touched the inside... i’m really not sure

 

[Just_Me_D]

The reason that they gave it to us is because my dad had already touched them, thus getting his prints on the evidence, so it was compromised and unable to be tested. That’s what my dad told me, anyways, as I wasn’t there for the investigation.

I was wondering why they couldn’t have just tested the actual airpods/the inside of the case though, unless my dad touched the inside... i’m really not sure

The statement below from your initial post is one of the reasons why I’m surprised at the actions of the police.

The last thing we want is a little girl being tracked down by criminals because she has their airpods, it could be very dangerous for her...

 

[Just_Me_D]

Anyway, to answer your question, the answer is probably no. If Find My IPhone was enables prior to them being lost then it’s possible that the last known location of them could be displayed for the owner.

 

[ItnStln]

Wait. Are you telling me that police gave you evidence from a crime instead of taking it, dusting it for prints and putting it in evidence lockup? And you’ve gone ahead and “thoroughly cleaned” them and thus wiping away a main avenue of identifying the alleged criminal. Wow!

This sounds like entrapment!

 

[Mars20]

This sounds like a very odd story. I wouldn’t want to use any bit of kit a burglar might have left in my property.

 

[ItnStln]

This sounds like a very odd story. I wouldn’t want to use any bit of kit a burglar might have left in my property.

Indeed

 

[wenrob]

People who bust into cars usually hit multiple cars. My bet is those Air Pods belong to another break in victim. You’d think that would occur to the cops.

 

[Lee_Bo]

Sorry, but I have to go with my gut instinct on this, and that is this sound very odd to me. Police don’t just “give” crime scene items away, even if they’ve been “compromised”. My advice would be to give them to the police, or to the rightful owner, if you know who that is.

 

[ItnStln]

Sorry, but I have to go with my gut instinct on this, and that is this sound very odd to me. Police don’t just “give” crime scene items away, even if they’ve been “compromised”. My advice would be to give them to the police, or to the rightful owner, if you know who that is.

Indeed