Google Updates Find My Device to Make It Easier to Find Lost Devices and warn about unknown AirTags

Google has announced a major update to its Find My Device feature, which is set to make it easier for users to find their lost Android devices. The update is powered by a vast network of over 3 billion nearby share devices, as well as more than 300 Fast Pair headphones.

The Find My Device feature has been a useful tool for Android users who have lost their phones or tablets. The updated version is expected to make the process even simpler and more efficient. With the addition of the Fast Pair headphones and nearby share devices, the feature can now locate lost devices even if they are not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

The Fast Pair headphones, which were launched in 2017, use Bluetooth technology to connect to Android devices. The updated Find My Device feature will now be able to locate these headphones, which in turn can help locate lost phones or tablets. The nearby share devices, on the other hand, use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create a network of Android devices that can communicate with each other even if they are not connected to the internet.

Here are some of the new features of the updated Find My Device:

• Proactive alerts about unknown trackers: Google is building on its recent announcement to lead an industry-wide initiative to draft a specification that would alert users in the case of unwanted tracking from Bluetooth devices. The company is now saying that its own Find My Device network will soon automatically notify users if their phone detects an unknown tracker moving with them. The feature, arriving later this summer, will work with Bluetooth trackers, including Apple AirTags, and all the other trackers that are already compatible with Google’s Find My Device network.
• More accurate location tracking: The updated Find My Device feature will use a combination of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to more accurately track the location of lost devices. This will make it easier for users to find their devices, even if they are in a crowded area or if they have turned off their location services.
• The ability to lock and erase lost devices: The updated Find My Device feature will also give users the ability to lock and erase lost devices remotely. This will help to protect users’ data and prevent unauthorized access to their devices.

The updated Find My Device feature is a major step forward for Google’s efforts to make it easier for users to find their lost devices. The new features are expected to make the process of finding lost devices even simpler and more efficient. The update is currently rolling out to Android users around the world, and is expected to be available to all users soon.