In a move long awaited by Android users, Google has finally launched its revamped Find My Device network. This new feature offers a significant boost in lost device recovery, bringing Android closer to Apple’s “Find My” functionality.
During the Google IO 2023 event , Google had announced that it will soon be enhancing the find my device funcitonality of Android devices, so the device owner will be able to find the device, no matter it is online or even when the battery is dead. The Find My Device network ensures that location data is encrypted, so your info is for your eyes only.
Key Features of the New Find My Device:
- Find Lost Devices Even When Offline: Unlike previous iterations, the upgraded network can locate your missing Android device even if it doesn’t have an internet connection. This is achieved through Bluetooth proximity detection, similar to Apple’s system. With more Android devices out there, Google’s network has the potential to be even more powerful.
- Pixel 8 Gets Special Treatment: Owners of the latest Pixel phones, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, get an extra layer of security. Google has implemented “specialized hardware” that allows these devices to be tracked even when powered off.
- Proximity Alerts Guide You There: A new “Find Nearby” feature utilizes Bluetooth signals to give you real-time guidance as you approach your lost device. No more wandering around blindly – the closer you get, the stronger the signal.
- Track More Than Just Phones (Coming Soon): In May, Google plans to expand Find My Device to include compatibility with third-party Bluetooth tracker tags. This means you’ll be able to locate frequently misplaced items like keys, wallets, or luggage with ease. Additionally, these tags will work with a new “unknown tracker alert” system across both Android and iOS devices, offering an extra layer of security against unwanted tracking.
Security and Privacy Remain a Priority:
Google emphasizes that user privacy is paramount. The Find My Device network utilizes end-to-end encryption for location data and employs aggregated device location reporting to prevent individual user tracking.
This upgrade to Find My Device is a welcome addition for Android users, offering much-needed peace of mind and improved lost device recovery capabilities. With its vast user base and potential for future expansion, Google’s Find My Device network has the potential to become a major player in the lost item tracking landscape.
To keep iPhone users from being tracked without their knowledge using this new network, Google worked with Apple to create an industry specification that lets both iPhone and Android users get alerts about nearby unknown item trackers regardless of the brand of the tracking device. Google waited until Apple implemented support for third-party tracker alerts to launch its network, based on code found in iOS 17.5.
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