As predicted last week, Google has officially announced the launch of its new Find My Device network for Android. This feature will work with offline devices and is now available on devices running Android 9 and later worldwide, starting in the US and Canada.
This network will cover over a billion devices, making it easier to locate them even when offline. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be trackable even when powered off or with a dead battery, thanks to specialized Pixel hardware.
Starting in May, Bluetooth tracker tags will be available from Chipolo and Pebblebee, built for the new Find My Device network. These tags will also work with unknown tracker alerts for added security. More Bluetooth tags from Anker’s eufy, Jio, and Motorola will be released later this year.
If you’re near a lost device but can’t see it, a “Find nearby” button will help locate it in your vicinity. This feature will work with the new Bluetooth tags from May onwards.
If you have Nest devices at home, the Find My Device app can help locate a lost device’s proximity to those Nest devices. You can also share devices with others for easier tracking if they go missing.
Google has ensured “multi-layered protections” for the Find My Device network, maintaining safety and privacy of personal information. Location data is encrypted, and aggregated device location reporting adds further protection against unwanted tracking to private locations.
Updates are coming to headphones from JBL, Sony, and more to allow them to join Google’s Find My Device network soon.
Google’s launch of this new network was delayed while waiting for Apple to implement tracking protections in iOS, which is expected in iOS 17.5. This has enabled the new Find My Device network to finally go live.
