The updated Find My Device feature is now available for Android users in the U.S. and Canada, marking the start of a global rollout. This new version taps into a crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices, simplifying the task of finding misplaced phones, tablets, and daily essentials like keys and wallets. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
- Offline Device Location: Android phones and tablets can now be located through the app, even without an internet connection. Pixel 8 and 8 Pro devices come with the added benefit of being locatable even when powered off or with a dead battery.
- Bluetooth Tags for Personal Items: Beginning in May, Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee will help you find items like keys and wallets through the app. These tags are built for Android and iOS compatibility, with a focus on security against undesired tracking. Expect more tag options from brands like eufy and Motorola later this year.
- Locating Items Nearby: Lost something close by? The app’s “Find nearby” feature will assist in pinpointing its location. This functionality will also apply to finding tagged personal items soon.
- Integration with Nest for Home Searches: Often, lost items are somewhere at home. Find My Device can now use your home’s Nest devices as reference points to show the proximity of a lost device.
- Accessory Sharing: The app now supports sharing the location of accessories like keys or the TV remote with friends or family, making it easier to find shared items.
Security and privacy are at the core of the updated Find My Device, with end-to-end encryption for location data and measures against unwanted tracking, including aggregated device location reporting.
The service is compatible with Android devices running version 9 and above. Look out for software updates that will bring headphones from JBL, Sony, and other brands into the Find My Device network, expanding the ecosystem of locatable devices and items.
