Google’s Find My has also been activated on Europe Android phones since Sunday.
The Android device search Find My Device
is now also getting the new Bluetooth feature in Europey. This allows you to search for devices that are not connected to the Internet. The feature has been rolled out in this country since May 26, 2024.
The function is the counterpart to Apple’s Where is?
and Samsung’s SmartThing Find
and was until recently reserved for the USA and Canada.
We already reported on the American release of the feature back then.
That is new: Now you can find a smartphone without internet access via Bluetooth network. This applies not only to smartphones, but also smaller devices such as in-ear headphones. The prerequisites for this are an operating system from Android 9 and the installation of the corresponding Find My Device app.
- You can even use it to search for everyday objects if you have attached Bluetooth trackers such as Chipolo and Pebblebee.
- You can also share the location of your house key with family members.
This is how it works: As soon as your device has been added to the network, you can select it and track it. (Source: Google)
How the network works
Google uses the location data of around 4 billion Android devices. The devices form a large network among themselves. Smartphones in the vicinity of the object being searched for serve as Computer image
Im Detail: So once you join the network of Find my Device Once you’ve joined, your phone will use Bluetooth to search for nearby devices and tagged items.
- If devices are detected, the location is forwarded to the network via a secure connection.
- The network, in turn, only sends the data, including the location, to the owner.
- As mentioned at the beginning, this requires an activated Bluetooth connection and a sufficient network of devices.
Special feature of the Google Pixel 8: This device does not have a network that works Google even if the device is completely switched off or the battery is empty.
Why Bluetooth? The greatest strength of this connection is the energy-efficient data traffic. In other words, your devices use significantly less power via Bluetooth.
Data protection: According to Google, the location process over the network is encrypted and anonymized. According to the company, Google and third parties have no access to location data.
Quick guide: How to use Find my device
Go to the App Store and download the Find my device
Download the app. Then you have to log in using your Google account. Once you have done that, your nearby devices will be recognized and displayed.
As of last Sunday, Bluetooth tracker tags also appear in the list and said offline devices can be found.
Also practical: In addition to the new search function, you can obtain additional information about the device, such as the current battery level or lock your device in an emergency. However, these functions are not new.