Since the beginning of April 2024, Google has finally launched Find My Device or Locate my device in good French. Like what Apple already offers with its Airtags, this is a location network that allows users to find the trace of their Android device. In this article, we will detail the different possibilities offered by this functionality.
During Google I/O 2023, Google officially presented its “Find My Device” network or Locate my device in the language of Molière. Similar to what Apple already offers with its Airtags, this device allows you to locate and secure your Android device (under Android 9.0 or higher) lost, and if necessary, erase all of the data it contains.
Additionally, Find My Device also offers additional features to find your device and accessories even if they are offlinenot. By default, your Android smartphone stores recent locations encrypted with Google and participates in the Find My Device network. Indeed and as with Apple, Find my device uses information from all nearby Android devices to find the trace of your lost smartphone. Provided that users have previously activated the functionality on their respective device.
Thus, it will be able to use the current location of your device if it is online, a recent and encrypted location since its last connection or an encrypted location from other nearby Android devices. First deployed in the United States and Canada in early April 2024, the Find My Device application is already available on the Google Play Store in France. In this article, we will see together how to exploit its full potential.
3 Ways to Use Find My Device
Locate devices offline
By going to the Find My Device application or via the web version of the service (you will need to log in with your Google account), several options are available to you to locate a lost device. First of all, you will find your smartphone in the list, but also the different accessories that you have been able to connect to your device.
After choosing the device of your choice, you will be able to:
- make it ring
- Secure the device
- Restore the device to factory settings
By securing the device, your smartphone will be immediately locked with its code, pattern or password while your account will be logged out. Localization obviously remains possible.
Regarding the last option, it is primarily intended for stolen devices. For good reason, it allows erase all data stored on your device (provided it is still online). On the other hand, its position will no longer be available… Note that owners of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro enjoy a significant advantage. Thanks to their Tensor 3 SoC, both devices can be located even if they are turned off or the battery is dead.
Track your favorite objects via compatible Bluetooth trackers
Just like Apple with its AirTags, Find My Device will allow you to find the trace of your favorite objects (and not just your smartphone) using compatible Bluetooth trackers. Chipolo already offers the One Point (a connected key ring) and the Card Point (a connected card), two trackers designed to exploit the Find My Device network.
The Peebleblee brand also plans to launch several accessories compatible with Find My Device on May 27, 2024. Three different formats will be offered in the form of a tag, key ring and card. Note that all of these accessories will be compatible with the unknown tracker alert functionality launched by Google in July 2023. Other manufacturers will obviously join the dance such as Motorola, Jio or Eufy.
With Find My Device, it is also possible to let a friend or family member access the surveillance of a device equipped with a tracer. Useful for example if you share keys with a roommate, luggage with a travel companion or your car keys with your spouse. In total, it is possible to share your accessory with 10 people maximum. Each of them will be able to access the location of the device whenever they want via the app or the web portal.
Here are the steps to follow:
- In the Find My Device app, select the accessory that you want to share
- Now press Share device
- Then follow the on-screen instructions to send an invitation by message, by email or with Quick Share
Your recipient will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to accept the invitation directly in the Find My Device app. Once this is done, you will have one small thing left to do. Still in the app, you will need confirm sharing by clicking on the relevant accessory and Settings. Then select the friend/family member and confirm the operation. Of course, the owner can stop sharing whenever they want from the application and the Settings tab of the device concerned.