Google has unveiled its enhanced Find My Device network in the United States and Canada

 Google has unveiled its enhanced Find My Device network in the United States and Canada, with plans to roll it out globally to Android users. This network, boasting over a billion Android devices, assists users in locating their misplaced Android devices and everyday items through crowdsourcing, much like Apple's Find My network. 

Accessible on devices running Android 9+, the upgraded Find My Device network enables users to track their Android phones and tablets, even when offline, by either ringing them or pinpointing their location on a map. Unlike the previous version, which necessitated an internet connection for locating lost phones, this enhanced network also empowers Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users to locate their devices when powered off or with depleted batteries.

Commencing in May, Android users will have the ability to locate everyday items such as keys or wallets as Google integrates Bluetooth tracker tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee into the Find My Device app. These tags, tailored for the Find My Device network, will offer compatibility with unknown tracker alerts across Android and iOS to safeguard users against unwanted tracking. Motorola, Jio, and Eufy are set to release compatible tags later this year, further expanding the network's utility. In alignment with a collaborative effort between Apple and Google initiated last year, the announcement also addresses industry-wide concerns regarding unwanted tracking from Bluetooth devices.

Moreover, the revamped Find My Device network seamlessly integrates with Nest smart home devices, displaying a lost device's proximity to home Nest devices. Emphasizing security and privacy, Google's VP of Engineering, Erik Kay, assures users that Find My Device adheres to stringent security protocols and privacy standards. End-to-end encryption of location data and aggregated device location reporting are among the multi-layered protections implemented to safeguard personal information and prevent unwanted tracking. Additionally, Google reveals plans to extend Find My Device compatibility to headphones from brands like JBL and Sony in the near future.