Google has finally introduced the upgraded Find My Device network for Android. It was originally announced in May 2023 but after a long delay, it is now available in the United States and Canada. The network utilizes the power of over a billion Android devices worldwide to help you locate lost items. Here is everything you need to know about the latest upgrade.
Google’s Upgraded Find My Device Features
The new Find My Device network for Android works similarly to Apple’s Find My network. It is a crowdsourced network for billions of Android devices with support for offline tracking. It means even if your compatible Android smartphone or tablet is offline, you can still track its location and make it ring.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users get an exclusive feature. They can use Find My Device even when the device is powered off or the battery is dead. Google says this is possible due to “specialized Pixel hardware” but has not offered details.
A device should run Android 9 Pie or higher to be compatible with the new network. Google further says the new Find My Device network offers end-to-end encryption of location data and aggregated device location reporting.
The upgraded Find My Device goes beyond tracking Android devices. It will start supporting Bluetooth tracker tags from May 2024. The tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee will be the first ones to get the support. It will be expanded to other trackers from Jio, Motorola, and Eufy. This will allow users to track almost everything including keys, remotes, wallets, backpacks, and luggage. And yes, these tags will support the unknown tracker alerts feature on Android to prevent misuse.
Users can use the Find Nearby option to reach the exact location of the item whenever they are close. If a user has a Nest device at home, they can use that as a reference point for more precise tracking. Lastly, users can share tagged items with others, so that everyone can help with the location tracking.
