Google has announced the roll-out of its Find My Device technology, allowing you to locate your Android devices.<\/p>\n
Find My Device was first teased at Google\u2019s I\/O event last year<\/a><\/strong> and is finally being released globally, starting in North America.<\/p>\n The technology uses a network of crowdsourced Android devices to pinpoint the location of a missing smartphone, tablet, or electronic tag.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Find My Device network locates devices by harnessing the Bluetooth proximity of surrounding Android devices, [and the user] will be able to see the aggregated location [of their device] contributed by nearby Android devices,\u201d a Google blog post<\/a> explains.<\/p>\n This is similar to Apple\u2019s \u201cFind My\u201d software, which was released as an all-inclusive app in 2019.<\/p>\n Android users will be able to locate their devices on a map and ring them even while they are offline.<\/p>\n Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners will have the added benefit of tracking their smartphones while powered off.<\/p>\n Bluetooth tracking tags will become compatible with the app in May.<\/p>\n Unlike Apple and Samsung, Google\u2019s service will support several manufacturers.<\/p>\n However, you won\u2019t be able to use just any Bluetooth tags.<\/p>\n Google mentions that you must use Chipolo<\/a><\/strong> and Pebblebee<\/a><\/strong> tags built explicitly for the Find My Device software.<\/p>\n The tags must be compatible with \u201cunknown tracker alerts\u201d on Android and iOS, to protect people from unwanted tracking.<\/p>\n Google said it would make more tags compatible later this year.<\/p>\n The \u201cFind nearby\u201d feature will let you scan for any items in your immediate vicinity.<\/p>\n If you have a Google Nest and have lost a device in your home, Find My Device will give you the location of the device relative to the Nest device.<\/p>\n Find My Device users will also be able to share a device\u2019s location with a friend.<\/p>\n Like Apple\u2019s Find My, users can share their smartphone\u2019s location with friends and family.<\/p>\nLocate devices when offline<\/h2>\n
Bluetooth tracking tags<\/h2>\n
Nearby items and pinpointing using Nest<\/h2>\n
Sharing devices with friends<\/h2>\n
Find My Device network protections<\/h2>\n