Google Launches Upgraded Find My Device Network

Google has unveiled its enhanced Find My Device network, initially launching in the U.S. and Canada, with a global rollout for Android users on the horizon. Leveraging a crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices, Find My Device assists users in locating their misplaced Android devices and everyday items. Compatible with devices running Android 9 or higher, this network bears resemblance to Apple’s Find My network.

The upgraded Find My Device network enables users to track down their Android phones and tablets, even when they’re offline, by ringing them or pinpointing their location on a map. Unlike Google’s previous iteration, which necessitated lost phones to have an internet connection for tracking, this enhanced network facilitates locating devices offline. Moreover, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users can utilize the network to locate their devices, even if they are powered off or have depleted batteries.

Starting in May, Android users will gain the capability to locate everyday items such as keys or wallets thanks to Google’s integration of Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee into the Find My Device app. These tags, tailored for the Find My Device network, will offer compatibility with unknown tracker alerts across both Android and iOS platforms to safeguard users against unwanted tracking. Additionally, users can anticipate compatible tags from Motorola, Jio, and Eufy later this year. This announcement follows Apple and Google’s joint initiative last year to spearhead an industry-wide effort to notify users of potential unwanted tracking by Bluetooth devices.

Moreover, the new Find My Device network seamlessly integrates with Nest smart home gadgets, enabling users to ascertain a lost device’s proximity to their home Nest devices.