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It’s finally here – Google has started rolling out its revamped Find My Device network, and it looks like it’s going to be pretty powerful. The update is essentially Android’s equivalent of Apple’s Find My network, allowing you to track information even when you’re not connected to the internet.
The magic of this revamped network is in crowdsourcing. A lost Android device secretly uses a nearby Android smartphone to ping its location. And if you forget something nearby, the Find My Device app will intelligently guide you to its location. Even better, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro owners can also find lost phones that are powered off, thanks to “special Pixel hardware.”
More than just a phone call In May
Google’s ambitions for Find My Device extend beyond Android devices. Starting in May, we will be partnering with Chipolo and Pebblebee to add Bluetooth trackers to our network. This means that if you put a small Bluetooth tag on your wallet or keys, the Find My Device network will help you track them. Google announced that trackers from Motorola, Jio, and Eufy will also be participating later this year.
This is a big plus for people like me who have a habit of misplacing things. I cherish Tile’s tracker and hope a compatible tracker comes out someday, but for some reason it seems to have been left out of this latest announcement.
We all know that tracking comes with privacy concerns. Google says Find My Device is “secure and private by design.” The Find My Device network will alert you (even on your iPhone) if an unknown tag is suspiciously tracking you. Additionally, the network limits how often someone can see the tag’s location. This is proactive action against stalkers. You can also share access to tags with multiple users.
As for other devices, Google says JBL and Sony headphones will also need to get a software update to join the Find My Device network. Additionally, if you own a Nest speaker or smart display, the app will use your Nest device as a reference point so you can figure out where your lost items are in your home.
Deployment and compatibility
According to a statement provided to Android Authority, the update will work on Android 9 and later, and will launch in the US and Canada and rapidly expand around the world in the coming months. Please rest assured. No matter where you are, you’ll now have the power of Google’s improved Find My Device network at your fingertips for added peace of mind.
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