Google has introduced an upgraded Find My Device network for Android users in the US and Canada, a year after its initial announcement. This new network leverages the Bluetooth proximity of over one billion active Android devices to locate lost phones and tablets, even when offline or with dead batteries. Users with Android 9 or later can utilize the Find My Device app for this purpose, with Pixel 8 and 8 Pro devices having additional capabilities.
The network extends its functionality beyond phones and tablets, enabling users to locate other items equipped with compatible Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo or Pebblebee. When users realize they’ve lost an item and log into the Find My Device app, nearby Android devices participating in the network report the location of the Bluetooth tag. Google has also announced plans to add support for more tags from brands like eufy, Jio, Motorola, and others in the near future, along with making headphones trackable via the app.
Moreover, users can share trackable devices with friends and family, facilitating easier location tracking if items go missing. To enhance convenience, the app now displays a lost device’s proximity to Nest devices at home. Google has prioritized user security and privacy in the development of this network, implementing measures such as end-to-end encryption of location data and safeguards against unwanted tracking back to private locations. Additionally, Google has integrated this network into its security vulnerability rewards program and is collaborating with select security researchers to further enhance its effectiveness.
