Almost exactly a year ago, Google announced its massively expanded “Find My Devices” network for locating devices that were believed to be lost or possibly stolen as part of the I/O 2023 developer conference. Many months late, the time has now come: Android is getting its own “Where is?” network.
“Find my device”: Google’s network relies on the crowd
According to Google, this can also be used to find (selected) devices that are offline or do not have a location function. As with Apple’s solution, the company uses the crowdsourcing approach, in which billions of Android devices theoretically contribute to the search for devices.
Google has long been offering its own solution for finding lost devices. About the Web platform or the Android app You can display on a map where the device was last located, trigger a beep, “back up” the device or perform a complete reset to factory settings so that the data does not fall into the wrong hands.
Device tracking not only works with smartphones and tablets, but also with headphones from various manufacturers and tracking devices. When it comes to the range of functions, Apple’s “Find My?” has so far been ahead. The iPhone manufacturer has created a huge network of hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads and Macs that helps locate devices.
Google is also relying on crowdsourcing and networking with the network it has now launched: Previously, Google’s “Find My Device” network could only find your phone if it was connected to the Internet. If it is offline, only the last location is displayed. The same applies or applied to compatible headphones such as Google’s Pixel Buds Pro (test): The location of headphones etc. is only displayed on the service’s map at the location where the devices were last paired with the smartphone. This solution is ultimately quite inaccurate; after all, the earplugs could have been lost somewhere else.
Editorial recommendations
Google’s Find My Device network relies on Bluetooth and UWB
These weaknesses of the network, if you could even call it that before, are now a thing of the past. Because like Apple, Google also relies on all devices with Play services. At Apple, all iPhones, iPads and Macs – the manufacturer speaks of hundreds of millions – are part of the Where is network, provided the users have authorized the devices.
As with Apple, the Google network is intended to detect missing devices or objects in their vicinity primarily via Bluetooth and report their approximate position back to the owners. According to Google, the entire location process over the network is consistently encrypted and anonymized, so that Google and third parties have no access to the location data and cannot collect it or use it for other purposes.
Google relies on end-to-end encryption and high security for its new Find My Network. More on this in Google Security Blog. (Image: Google)
The use of the location network is not forced on users; it is up to them whether they want to allow their devices to participate. You can also set whether the device can only be reached via the mobile network and WLAN or indirectly via other Android devices via Bluetooth. Ultra-wideband is also used, which makes tracking a bit more precise than via Bluetooth.
For the latter function, Google is initially working on a Bluetooth function for Android 15, with which the radio interface (optional) will automatically be switched on again after one day after it has been deactivated.
Similar to iPhones, Android devices should be able to be located using this function even when they are switched off. The function must be activated by the user in the settings and is only likely to be supported by newer models such as the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro (test).
Google Find My Device: Nest helps you search, share with friends
Like Google in the announcement, the smart home devices from the Nest family are also integrated into the network. They help you find things like keys or your smartphone in your home: From now on, the proximity of a lost device to your Nest devices will be displayed in the “Find my device” app so that you have “an easy reference point”.
You can share the locations of things with third parties via the app. (Image: Google)
Google also offers the opportunity to share the locations of items with third parties via the new network: be it house keys with your roommates, the remote control with your friend, or luggage with a travel friend. The permissions can also be withdrawn via the app.
Anti-stalking: Google and Apple work together
Since the introduction of Apple’s Airtags, there have been repeated reports of stalking. This means that one person has secretly and illegally foisted an airtag on another person in order to always know where they are. Apple had already tried to curb this problem to some extent, but it should be kept better under control with a common industry standard that will be presented in 2023 and is being developed by Apple, Google and others.
Since the anti-tracking function for Airtags only works with iPhones so far, Google has since introduced a function called “Unknown Tracker Alert” for Android. It warns users if a Bluetooth tracker that is not connected to their smartphone is tracking them for a longer period of time.
The problem is that there is currently no similar protection on Apple’s iPhones that protects against trackers other than Airtags. The industry standard should apply here.
Airtags alternatives: Tracking gadgets for Google’s Find My network already exist
Google announced its expanded “Find My Device” network a year ago and actually wanted to launch it in the summer of 2023. Accordingly, the first third-party tracking gadgets have already announced their solutions and have been waiting for the go-ahead ever since.
One of the first manufacturers to support Google’s new Find My Device network with trackers similar to Airtags is Chipolo. (Image: Chipolo)
These include Tile, Chipoloand Pebblebee, although apparently only the first two manufacturers sell their products in Europe. The two sell tracking gadgets in various shapes, some of which resemble an Airtag. They are ideal for bags, keychains or similar and cost around 30 euros.
Google is expected to be working on its own solution, referred to internally as “Grogu.” The gadget will reportedly work with both Bluetooth-LE and ultrawideband like the Airtags. The latter function is used for more precise location.
The new “Find My Device” works with devices from Android 9 and newer. The feature should also land on headphones from JBL, Sony and others via a software update. Some of the functions will only be available from May.
