After going through significant delays, the much-needed upgrade to Google's Find My Device network is finally rolling out. This update was announced back in 2023, but it wasn't rolled out due to Apple's lack of readiness. Recently, we started seeing changes on iOS and Android that gave us a feeling that the network might be launching much sooner than later. The update is finally rolling out to all supported devices across the world starting today.
The much-awaited Find My Device network by Google is finally rolling out
With the new Find My Device network, Android users will be able to locate their nearby devices even if the devices are offline. You will need a device running Android 9.0 or later for this network to work, and as long as the devices are compatible, finding devices will become super easy for everyone, which is a great thing.
Android's Find My Device network is similar to Apple's, but this is important because there are many more Android devices out in the open than iPhones, and therefore, the network will deliver more power than Apple's alternatives.
The Find My Device network relies on location crowdsourcing through Bluetooth proximity when Android devices participate in the network. By doing so, they will be able to get access to encrypted location data of nearby lost items, including other Android devices that are also in the network. Keep in mind that all the trackers that support this network will also be getting this feature. All the devices will work to ensure the device's location is properly found.
Now, you have to understand that devices like Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro can be found even when they are turned off or if their battery is dead, so you do not have to worry about anything. This feature should be available in other Pixel devices in the future as it uses specialized hardware.
I do understand that using this Find My Device network could scare people, but you have to understand that there are several measures in place to secure the data so it cannot be used by parties with harmful intent. For instance, all devices that are participating in this network will have their location encrypted using a key that can only be accessed by the owner of the Bluetooth tag, along with anyone with whom the access has been shared. Only the owner of the tag will be able to decrypt the tag's location. The location will not be available via Google or Android devices, making sure that it can never be misused.
Furthermore, regarding the Find My Device network, Google has also talked about how it will not be able to identify the owners of the nearby Android devices that provide their location data, so if you are wondering whether your location might be compromised, Google promises that it is not going to be the case. In addition to that, no information about the nearby Android devices is shared with the owner of the lost item, making sure that everyone is protected in all instances.
Another thing to note here is that the new Find My Device network requires multiple nearby Android devices to detect a tag before the location is disclosed to the tag's owner. This ensures that the network is working optimally in the areas that are normally the busiest and provides safety from unwanted tracking near private locations.
Moving on, if you have saved your home address on your Google account, your Android device will not contribute to the crowdsourced location reports whenever it is near the address, making it even more private. You also need to know that there is a limit to the number of times a nearby Android device can contribute to the location report for a particular Bluetooth tag. Similarly, there is a limit on how frequently a Bluetooth tag's owner can request an updated location for the lost tag to ensure that the Find My Device network is working optimally and is not really running into constant hiccups.
Another thing that Google is doing here is opening up the Find My Device network to third-party trackers. This means that compatible trackers from Chipolo and Pebblebee will arrive next month and will run without any issues with this network. There are going to be more trackers from various companies that will be launched later this year, completing the whole network and giving more users a proper chance to experience it. Google has also mentioned that accessories can be shared with people, so more and more people have the option to locate them.
If you are really interested in finding out how Google's Find My Device network works, you can head over here and get all the information that you want about this network to get started. As mentioned before, the network is rolling out to all supported devices starting today, and you will see it on your device pretty soon. You can, of course, opt out of it if you want or have no use for it, but it is good to know that Google has finally released the network to everyone.
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