It’s about to get a lot easier to find your Android phone after you’ve misplaced it.
Google has launched its much-anticipated Find My Device network, almost a year after it first announced plans for the feature at its I/O conference last May.
The network uses crowdsourcing from over 1 billion Android devices, the company says, and can help retrieve not just phones, but any Android devices, even if they’re offline.
The company also plans to roll out Bluetooth tracker tags in May, which can be attached to things like key rings or slipped into wallets or luggage, making those locatable as well. As with Android phones, the tags will be available from a large number of companies, including Pebblebee and Motorola.
Google is playing a bit of catchup with this rollout. Apple has had a Find My iPhone feature since 2009, and companies like Tile have offered trackers since 2013.
The Find My Device feature for Google is a bit different, though. People who choose to install the app will be able to find their items even if they’re not connected to the internet, the company says. And Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones will show up even if they’re powered off (or if their batteries have drained).
The system also works with the Nest smart home family of tools, offering a reference point for people trying to locate a product in their home. You can also share your phone (or another item’s) location with friends or family to have them help you try to located it.
Any device running Android 9 or above can utilize the network, meaning pretty much anything from the past six years. Users also have the option to opt out of the service entirely if they have privacy concerns.
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