Google had to update the device search service on Android: with the improvements introduced by Apple in the search network, and after Samsung itself improved the SmartThings platform, Google updated its ecosystem so that Androids nearby can share your location even without being active. Now the company informs that it is starting to activate the functionality for all users: you will have received an email on your account.
Losing your cell phone is all too common, it is also common for it to be confiscated, unfortunately. Faced with these fatalities, it is better to prevent: be careful when you take the phone out of your pocket, never leave him in sight and place it in a hard-to-reach place; like in the front pockets of pants. And if unfortunately our Android disappears, there will always be hope of recovering it thanks to the different search networks; both from the system itself and from the manufacturer (in the case of Xiaomi or Samsung, for example). Searching for an Android is more precise than it seems.
Google informs by email that the new search is there
The new network is now operational: we can decide whether to participate or not
After the update implemented in the “Find my device” network, which is standard on all Android devices certified by Google, the company launched the novelty for the first time in the United States. We had to wait for the expansion to more territories, something common with Google and which can take weeks or months. Even years. Fortunately, it was the first.
Google informs all users by email, it has already reached us. As specified, the new search network will reach the different accounts, even if it is already operational: to check it, just go to the user settings, in “Find my device”. In this section we can accept or not the inclusion of our Android phones in the new search network. If they do, they’ll share the location of nearby devices to help those who’ve lost them, just like Find My does on iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and Macs.
The network is already operational and you can agree or not to integrate into it. This allows us to locate compatible cell phones, tablets, headphones or tags that we lose even if they have no connection: Androids that are nearby will share the last known location taking advantage of Bluetooth. Of course, as long as the area is busy: if there is no Android nearby, we won’t be able to do much to locate the device we lost.
Google developed the network with security in mind: all information exchanged by devices It is end-to-end encrypted and is protected by the unlock method that each user configures on their phone. If you haven’t enabled Secure Screen Lock, you’ll need to set it up before participating in the new Find My Device network.
All Androids with version 9 and above can participate in the Device Location Network. This network allows you to find mobile phones, tablets, labels and other connected products In the whole world and as long as there are other androids around.
Cover image | DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT edited
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