Apple’s ingenious Find My feature has been around for several years, helping users find mislaid iPhones, iPads and AirTags, for instance. Today, Google has announced its own version: Find My Device. Here’s what’s coming.
Like Find My on Apple devices, Find My Device works by leveraging the massive number of Android devices there are. Once a phone, tablet or other item has been marked as lost, it sends out a silent signal by Bluetooth to any passing Android devices, which pass on the location of the device to its owner. Apple does this, but with Apple devices.
Here’s how Google announced the new service today: “Today, the all-new Find My Device is rolling out to Android devices around the world, starting in the U.S. and Canada. With a new, crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices, Find My Device can help you find your misplaced Android devices and everyday items quickly and securely.”
It’s believed that Google has been ready for some time but was waiting for certain changes to come to Apple’s AirTags. That’s now on its way with iOS 17.5—full details here.
At first, it will work with Android phones and tablets, providing they are running Android 9 or later. Since that operating software was first launched in 2018, there are plenty of devices which are compatible, which is how Google comes to the number of more than 1 billion.
Finding the devices is clever enough, but with some hardware, Google goes further: “Thanks to specialized Pixel hardware, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners will also be able to find their devices if they’re powered off or the battery is dead.” Apple has this feature, too.
Coming soon, in May to be precise, Bluetooth trackers will work with Find My Device, and indeed some devices will come in two versions. The feature will work with other brands’ products, too, such as Chipolo and Pebblebee.
Other parts of Find My Device mirror what Apple has, such as finding items nearby, with onscreen guidance. But there will also be features Apple doesn’t match.
For instance, if the item is at home, Nest devices in your home can help you find them. And you can share items with friends and family, so your roommate can help you look for your missing house key, for instance. That’s a very neat feature.
Everything can be found in the new Find My Device app in the Google Play Store.