Whether you like more of the customization options, available apps, or flexibility of Android or prefer something more closed like iOS, there are some indisputable realities and one essential for security: for now Find My iPhone is Light Years Away from Find My Android Device I’m referring to testing now. However, the renewal of the Google tool could be imminent.
In recent days the rumors have exploded and from the sound of it it could be tomorrow when ‘Find my device offline is finally here, allowing us to find our Android phones or accessories even if they do not have an Internet connection. Being the clueless and traveling person that I am, I’m looking forward to this news because it’s been a long time coming.
Finding my device offline will finally be very useful
Last year, Google had already prepared this function, equivalent to Samsung’s SmartThings Find or Apple’s Find My, but on a larger scale, given that there is more than 3,000 million Android phones worldwide to generate a huge network. And with more presence if possible in countries where Android is the dominant operating system and where Apple’s presence is a testimony to this. But it was not activated because of Apple, which had to integrate protections against trackers similar to those already existing on Android. But that wait seems to have ended.
Because yes, “Find my device” has been accessible to the general public for a long time, but is so limited that in practice it is not practical: you can monitor your devices, but it only works when the device is connected, its location depends solely and exclusively on its GPS or Bluetooth and not on a network and is not compatible with other third-party trackers.
Swindle The new “Find My Device” will eliminate these limitations: It will work offline, that is, even if it is turned off, it will form a network with the rest of Android phones to facilitate location and will also communicate with trackers from other brands such as Tile.
For people like me who travel often, it will be level up with peace of mind. I try to take extreme precautions with my luggage and electronics, but until now I could only do so with my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirTag, but not my Android phone that I carry usually with me when I work. This way I can track my devices and luggage all over the world.
This may not be a widely used feature, but when your suitcase doesn’t arrive on the conveyor belt and the minutes passbeing able to check with the AirTag that it is there and not on the other side of the world gives me enough calm to continue waiting or, alternatively, when you discover that you are in Paris and your suitcase is in Brussels, launch the procedures knowing where it is, which speeds everything up considerably.
How will “Find my Android device offline” help me? Well, for example, to keep any of my Android phones under control, whether mine or provided by Xataka, and use them with Bluetooth trackers that work with the Android ecosystem, which will allow me to ‘buy more and place them in more places: in the keys, in the backpack, in the wallet…
So far, I was able to place a single AirTag where I needed it. This opens up the range of interesting trackers (Apple’s are not really cheap), since for example the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag will work with all Android phones and not only with those of the Korean brand but also the network will be much larger and more reliable.
Cover | Analysis of the AirTag of Xataka, Anna Martí
In Xataka Android | How to find a stolen or lost Android mobile
