For years, Google has assisted you in finding a misplaced Android phone that is connected to your Google account; but, this spring, the search engine behemoth will launch an enhanced version of the service. Google said that the new version, which uses a crowdsourced network of more than a billion Android devices, can find lost keys, wallets, or baggage using new Bluetooth trackers and supports Bluetooth tracker tags.
Google has been updating its Find My gadget service this spring, sending out emails to gadget owners alerting them that, barring opt-out, their compatible phones, earbuds, headphones, and trackers would be automatically joined to the network in three days.
We’ll outline the Find My Device network below, including what it does and how to unsubscribe if you’d like.
For further information, see how to cast movies from your phone to your TV and how to secure your Google account using passkeys.
What is the network known as Find My Device?
picture of the Find My Device page on Google
All of your compatible devices linked to your Google account are shown in the Find My Device network’s online view, along with a map that displays their whereabouts.
Google/Blake Stimac
You may find misplaced gadgets and accessories connected to your Google account by using Google’s Find My Device network. Crowdsourcing is used for this, with devices on the Find My Device network using Bluetooth to look for and identify misplaced objects. The service will notify you of the item’s whereabouts if it is located. Additionally, certain devices, like as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, may be located by the network for many hours even when they are switched off or have a dead battery.
What trackers and gadgets are compatible with Google’s Find My Network?
You can use the Find My Device network to track compatible Bluetooth tracker tags like those from Chipolo and Pebblebee, Wear OS devices like the Pixel Watch, and Android-compatible accessories like the Pixel Buds and, soon, headphones from JBL and Sony. It also lets you find a lost Android phone or tablet.
How to locate your gadgets
With the Find My Device network, you may find lost goods in a few different ways.
You must have everything ready before you begin tracking down a lost item. This includes downloading the Find My Device app, enabling Location on the device, making sure Find My Device is enabled on the device, and logging into your Google account.
First, you may use Google.com/android/find to trace a lost smartphone online.
Secondly, the Find My Device app on any Android tablet or smartphone will also help you find a lost device.
Third, you may ask Google Assistant to locate your gadgets. However, in my experience, the Assistant would only recommend phoning my two phones and not my Pixel Watch 2. However, if you have tracker tags linked to your account, Google Assistant should also be able to locate them.
What more is it capable of?
If you’ve used Apple’s Find My network or AirTags, you’ll recognize a few additional aspects of Google’s Find My Device network in addition to device monitoring.
Items that are shared
Adding family members or friends to shared products with a tracker tag is a helpful tool. Anybody adding may locate the shared item, such as the TV remote, extra home key, or family iPad, without causing any trouble to the person who put it up in the first place.
Alerts from unknown trackers
There are hazards associated with the Find My Device network’s ease. Tracker tags have the ability to be abused for stalking, as shown by Apple’s AirTags and the Find My network.
The Google Find My Device network will alert you to unknown trackers that seem to be tracking your position, much as Apple’s network does. You may get these warnings while using an iPhone or Android smartphone, and Apple and Google are collaborating on this.
Methods for disabling the Find My Device Network
Google opts you into the tracking network by default.
Google said that the PIN, pattern, or password for your Android devices would be used to encrypt the locations of your devices in order to preserve your privacy. Locations won’t be accessible to Google or used for other reasons; only you and the people you share your devices with may see them in Find My Device.
It’s simple to opt out of Google’s Find My Device Network if you want not to take part. However, how you choose to opt out of it depends on whether your account has it active.
You may opt out of the web in advance by clicking the link in the email if you just got the notification that “Your Android devices will soon join the
Don’t worry if you don’t remember receiving the email or if the three days have gone by; you can simply opt out from your Android device’s settings.
Find your Android phone’s device settings from your Android smartphone.
You just need to touch a toggle in the settings on your phone to opt out of the Find My Device network.
Google/Blake Stimac
Go to Settings on your Android smartphone.
Press the Google option.
Press the “Find My Device” option.
Press the “Off” toggle next to “Use Find My Device.”
Verify using a pattern, pin, or biometrics.
That’s all. The Find My Device network no longer includes your device. Simply turn the toggle back on to rejoin.