If you are using iPhone, Mac, iPad and other Apple-related devices, you must be familiar with the "Find My" function, which integrates the search for lost Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods, as well as through AirTags You can also find keys, wallets and other daily items, and you can also share your location with friends and family. Find the Web" to help users find them even when their devices are offline, and now Google is also launching a dedicated ecosystem for Android devices, and is working with Apple to combat unwanted trackers.
Google launches FindMy for Android
Google's new Find My Device (FMD) feature, just like Apple's Find My feature, can help users in the Android ecosystem find their lost devices in a faster and more convenient way, even when the device is offline and out of battery.
And Google says that they are very privacy-focused and security-oriented, in addition to helping users quickly find lost items, there will also be an alarm reminder of unknown trackers, which is to protect users' personal privacy. This feature is available in the United States and Canada, and Android phones must be upgraded to OS 9 or later.
Google's exclusive Android "Find My Device" key features
► The device can be found even when it is turned off
Google's original "Find My Device" feature requires the device to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi, but now through Bluetooth and more than a billion devices running Android 9+ version, even if the device is offline, and Google Pixel 8 / 8 Pro mobile phone users, even if the mobile phone is turned off or out of power, the phone will have a pre-stored reserve power, so that the Bluetooth chip can maintain power for several hours, and it can be through Google The new Android "Find My Device" allows you to check the location of your device.
► Bluetooth tracker support
It is the same as Apple's "Find My" function, and in the future, it can also support Bluetooth trackers for Android "Find My Device", such as Chipolo and Pebblebee, you can put these Bluetooth trackers on your wallet, keys, luggage, and remote control, as long as the item is missing, you can find it through Android's Find Network.
► Fight against unauthorized Bluetooth trackers
In addition to being able to track Bluetooth trackers for Android, in order to prevent people from using Bluetooth trackers in improper situations, Google and Apple have worked together to comply with industry norms, whether using Google's "Find My Device" function or Apple's Find function, users will receive alert notifications whenever there is an unauthorized Bluetooth tracker for cross-platform protection.
► Locate the device with Nest
Google believes that many users can't find things like keys or phones in their homes, so Android Find My Device shows you the distance between your lost device and your Nest device in your home as a reference, such as the last time it was seen near the living room. You can also use the Google voice assistant to say: Hey Google, find my key!
► You can share devices and accessories with friends and family
Avoid having an unknown tracker following a friend when he lends his keys, bike, etc., to a friend's phone all the time, and you can add friends and family to the shared project first.
summary
When the device at hand is missing, there is a real need for a function like "Find Network" to help us find the device, and now Google is also bringing this useful feature service to Android users, although it is not yet available globally, but Android users can look forward to it.
In addition, work with Apple to combat unauthorized tracker alarm function, according to foreign media said that iOS 17.5 predicts that this function will also be added, as long as it is an unauthorized Bluetooth tracker, including a tracker suitable for Android, Apple devices will also pop up alarm notifications to strengthen the privacy and security of use.