Google launches ‘Find My Device’ for Android, announces Pixel 8 smartphones can be found even when turned off

For years, Apple users have relied on the Find My Device feature to easily find lost products like iPhones and AirPods. And now, Google has also launched its Find My Device network for his Android phones. The feature was scheduled to be released last year, but was reportedly delayed due to concerns that it could be exploited. Now that it’s finally launched, Google announced the same in a blog post.

“Today, the all-new Find My Device is rolling out to Android devices around the world, starting in the U.S. and Canada. Find My Device helps users find misplaced Android devices with a new crowdsourced network of over 1 billion Android devices. “We help you find and deliver your devices and everyday items quickly and securely,” the company’s post reads.

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The Find My Device feature is intended to help Android users find their phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and trackers even when they’re offline. The rollout will begin in the United States and Canada and expand around the world.

Unlike the existing Find My Device setting, which requires a device to be powered on and connected to work, the new network leverages Bluetooth and is disconnected from Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Find your device. This feature, called Power Off Search, stores a beacon in the device’s Bluetooth controller’s memory, allowing the network to discover it even when no supported device is connected. In addition to this, you can find your Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones even when they are turned off or have a dead battery.

Google has listed five ways users can find their devices using the Find My Device network. These five methods are:

• Find your compatible Android device by calling it, viewing its location on a map, even when you’re offline.
• Use the Find My Device app to find items like keys and luggage through Bluetooth tracker tags created by Chipolo and Pebblebee.
• Use the Find Nearby button to use Bluetooth tags to locate nearby objects, such as wallets or keys.
• View missing phones and items related to Nest devices in your home.
• Share your accessory with others through the app and let everyone track it.

The company also added that the “Find My Device” network is compatible with all Android phones running Android 9 and above. Google also tells users that its Find My Device network prioritizes security and privacy, with features like end-to-end encryption of location data and aggregated device location reporting to protect against unwanted tracking. added.