Regardless of whether you like more the customization options, available applications or flexibility of Android or prefer something more closed like iOS, there are realities that are incontestable and one is essential for security: for now Find my iPhone is light years away from Find my Android device I refer to the tests now. However, the renewal of the Google tool could be imminent.
In recent days the rumors have exploded and based on what they say, it could be tomorrow when ‘Find my device offline’ finally arrives, allowing us to find our Android phones or accessories even if they do not have an Internet connection. As a clueless and traveling person that I am, I am looking forward to this news because it has been a long time coming.
Finding my device offline will finally be really useful
Last year Google already had this function ready, equivalent to Samsung’s SmartThings Find or the Apple Find My but on a larger scale, given that there are more than 3,000 million Android phones in the world to generate a huge network. And with more presence if possible in those countries where Android is the dominant OS and Apple’s presence is testimonial. But it was not activated because of Apple, which had to incorporate protections against trackers similar to those already existing on Android. But that standby seems to have come to an end.
Just because, ‘Find my device‘has been available to the general public for some time, but is so limited that in practice it is not practical: You can monitor your devices, but it only works while 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.
With The new ‘Find my device’ will eliminate those limitations: It will work offline, that is, even if it is turned off, it will form a network with the rest of the Android phones to help with location and will also communicate with trackers from other brands such as Tile.
For people like me who travel often, this will be level up in peace. I try to take extreme precautions with my luggage and electronic belongings, but until now I was only able to do this with my iPhone, my Apple Watch and my AirTag, but not with my Android phone that I usually carry with me when I work. This way I can track my devices and luggage anywhere in the world.
It may not be a feature that is used much, but when your suitcase doesn’t arrive on the conveyor belt and the minutes passbeing able to verify with the AirTag that it is there and not on the other side of the world gives me enough calm to continue waiting or, otherwise, when you discover that you are in Paris and your suitcase is in Brussels, start the relevant procedures knowingly from where it is, what considerably speeds up everything.
How is ‘Find my Android device offline’ going to help me? Well, for example, to keep any of my Android phones under control, whether they are 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…
Until now I managed with a single AirTag to place where I needed it. This opens up the range of interesting trackers (the Apple ones are not exactly cheap), since for example the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag will work with all Android phones and not only with those from the Korean brand and also the network will be much larger and more reliable.
Cover | Analysis of the Xataka AirTag, Anna Martí