Google Upgrades Find My Device to Work Even Without Internet

Google appears to be testing an upgraded version of Find My Device for Android that allows location tracking even when the phone is offline. This means that users of Android devices, like the Xiaomi Redmi A3 128GB, can locate their lost devices more accurately without needing internet, similar to Apple’s Find My feature. Let’s delve into the details of this useful update in the following article.

What is Find My Device?

Find My Device, also known as Android Device Manager, is a service package from Google designed to help users control, secure, and manage their Android devices anytime, anywhere. No matter where you are, managing your device becomes easier and more convenient.

Currently, for this service to work effectively and smoothly, your device needs to meet the following requirements:

• If it's an Android phone, it must be running Android 4.0 or higher.
• The Android device must be registered and logged into a Google account.
• Importantly, it must have an internet connection.

So far, Google’s Find My Device hasn’t been widely known among users. However, the features it offers are highly regarded, such as accurate device location, remote screen lock, device data wiping, and automatically ringing the phone even in silent mode.

Can Find My Device for Android Work Even Without a Network?

It’s been reported that at the Google I/O 2023 annual conference, Google introduced an upgraded network for its Find My Device program. This is a significant and important update to the existing Find My Device feature. The service now allows users to locate their device even without an internet connection. This feature is highly anticipated by users, as it will make locating lost Android devices easier and faster.

Although Google introduced this feature in May 2023 and announced it would be released soon, there has been a delay. The delay may be due to Google’s collaboration with Apple on developing tracking protection, where Apple highlighted several issues with Find My Device that needed to be addressed. Therefore, Google requires more time to refine the feature before launching it.

According to TechSpot, Android users might soon receive good news as Google’s Find My Device for Android could be updated to function similarly to Apple’s Find My. It seems that Google is starting to test this new feature in the latest beta version of Google Play Services.

On the service page, you can find settings such as enabling/disabling Find My Device and choosing network options that best suit your needs. The new Find My Device network for Android will work by using Bluetooth signals from nearby Android devices to precisely locate your device, even if it’s offline or powered off.

Recently, Google also sent emails to some users announcing that the updated Find My Device service could launch on April 8, 2023. The email highlighted several key benefits of this new network service, such as:

• Your Android device can join the new Find My Device network, allowing it to be located even when offline or powered off.
• Users can still receive notifications and locate Fast Pair accessories even if they’re disconnected from the device, including trackers attached to wallets, keys, cars, or compatible earbuds.
• After three days of enabling this feature, users will receive a notification on their Android device.

With the vast number of Android devices and accompanying accessories worldwide, Find My Device for Android is expected to provide accurate and helpful device location capabilities comparable to Apple’s Find My. Stay tuned for its release!