Google starts rolling out Find My Device

backstreetboy said:
Copying Apple again as usual.
Click to expand...
Apple released theirs on 2019...LOL

As for Google...

5778fc2f1ebd40a99b61dcd94b4e1073.jpg
 
I see a dedicated 'find my 'on my android phone in the last few weeks.

Before noticing the app, I used to get notifications, about suspicious tracker with me , whenever my apple airtags for my bags or kids bags are in the car with me.

Really hope I can mark them as mine. Read an article somewhere today, where it said, apple airtags can be shared with a Google users so must try that, because those suspicious notifications are a bit irritating when I know they are mine.

Cool to also share that even from Android , you make make an apple airtag beep.
 
gregmcc said:
Then it's not really powered off. More in a hybernate state.
Click to expand...
Newer iPhones also have this ability after going flat for a period of time. So probably the BT radio has some axillary power or the phone keeps a little juice left in the battery for this purpose. Either way, it's a cool feature.
 
TedLasso said:
I see a dedicated 'find my 'on my android phone in the last few weeks.

Before noticing the app, I used to get notifications, about suspicious tracker with me , whenever my apple airtags for my bags or kids bags are in the car with me.

Really hope I can mark them as mine. Read an article somewhere today, where it said, apple airtags can be shared with a Google users so must try that, because those suspicious notifications are a bit irritating when I know they are mine.

Cool to also share that even from Android , you make make an apple airtag beep.
Click to expand...

You can disable that on your phone.

For me it's...

Settings -> Safety and Emergency -> Unknown tracker alerts
 
Which Android versions will be supported? I can't see them supporting the older Androids, not at any layer. I can already see the black hats probing this.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
Which Android versions will be supported? I can't see them supporting the older Androids, not at any layer.
Click to expand...

Android 9.0 and higher.


Fulcrum29 said:
I can already see the black hats probing this.
Click to expand...


Then Apple will also be probed as Google and Apple worked on it together. I am glad they worked together on this, hopefully it open up so that iPhones and Android phones can all be used in the crowd sourced network to locate devices, regardless of vendor.

*********

Formally announced last year, Google’s Find My Device network is set to leverage the massive population of Android devices to help locate missing phones, headphones, and trackers. However, the network was delayed while Google and Apple worked together on an industry standard that would help ensure this location technology isn’t used to maliciously track someone else’s movements, something that was an issue for Android users following Apple’s launch of AirTag in 2021.

To the benefit of iPhone owners, Google held back the launch of its network so Apple could apply this protection in iOS, something that appears to have finally happened in iOS 17.5 (despite the standard having been ready since December 2023).

9to5google.com

Google has revealed the launch date of Android's Find My Device network

In an email to customers, Google has revealed the launch date of Android's new Find My Device network, and it's soon.
9to5google.com 9to5google.com
 
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AdrianH said:
Android 9.0 and higher.
Click to expand...

+2-year-old Android, so it is API 28 and above. +6-year-old Android devices will be supported. Interesting. I am curious whether the crowdsource will also utilize non-smartphone devices? Wakey wakey.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
+2-year-old Android, so it is API 28 and above. +6-year-old Android devices will be supported. Interesting. I am curious whether the crowdsource will also utilize non-smartphone devices? Wakey wakey.
Click to expand...
I suppose any device with Bluetooth and iOS/Android could work, as long as it has a way to send the "found" device details and location to the cloud. So the smart watches with mobile connection could, and the ones with WiFi could if connected to I suppose.
 
AdrianH said:
You can disable that on your phone.

For me it's...

Settings -> Safety and Emergency -> Unknown tracker alerts
Click to expand...
I actually don't want it disabled cos I do want to know if it does happen. There was just no way to inform android, that those are my apple trackers.

So hoping there's a way now
 
backstreetboy said:
Copying Apple again as usual.
Click to expand...
I love the flip flop ;)

“Apple launched feature xyz first before anyone else - they’re so innovative & everyone wants to copy them. Apple are so amazing’’

‘Apple launched feature xyz last after everyone else - they waited to perfect it & the market was perfect. Apple are so amazing’

‘You have to use benchmarks to compare that because Apple is far ahead in benchmarking. Apple is so amazing’

‘You have to use real world to compare that metric because benchmarks don’t reflect real world. Apple is so amazing’

‘Apple have HiRes 24/192 content available on their platform and Spotify doesn’t. It’s much higher resolution and Apple so amazing’

‘You can’t hear any difference with HiRes and Apple knew this and stripped it from most audio devices. Apple are so amazing’

‘Apple silicone is fast and offers performance that is unheard of. It’ll take years before Android can match that. Apple so amazing’

‘Android is faster than Apple but only a few seconds and a few apps, no one cares about. It’s just a few seconds ahead. Plus it’s RAM and battery management that slows the Apple down. So the Apple is still faster. Apple is so amazing’
 
Last edited:
Google promises Find My Device will work with more phones when they're off

www.gsmarena.com

Google promises Find My Device will work with more phones when they're off

For now it's only the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Yesterday Google finally took its new Find My Device network online, after a long wait caused by Apple...
www.gsmarena.com www.gsmarena.com

www.androidauthority.com

Pixel 8's powered-off Find My Device tracking also coming to other Android phones

Google says it's working with SOC makers and other Android OEMs to bring powered-off tracking capabilities to other premium Android phones.
www.androidauthority.com www.androidauthority.com
 
I am a little bit confused. Google has always had find my device, since the first time I got a smart phone.


Is this different, besides just expanding on the functionality ?

Edit: okay , I see the key feature here is "powered-off" or "offline" tracking and accessories. Find my device required GPS or Data for it to work for the past decade.
 
RedViking said:
I am a little bit confused. Google has always had find my device, since the first time I got a smart phone.


Is this different, besides just expanding on the functionality ?

Edit: okay , I see the key feature here is "powered-off" or "offline" tracking and accessories. Find my device required GPS or Data for it to work for the past decade.
Click to expand...

Correct, the main difference here is not the device reporting itself but other devices around it tracking it.

So the data is crowdsourced and less battery intensive.

It’s also always on, whereas the alternative would be only when polled remotely.
 
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