![Fixxx](https://pic-cc.com/data/avatars/m/0/110.jpg?1710675581"){kind=avatar}
- Joined
- 31.10.19
- Messages
- 378
- Reaction score
- 833
- Points
- 93
What is the "Find My Device" network?
Google's "Find My Device" network allows users to find lost devices and accessories linked to their Google account. This is achieved through crowdsourcing: devices within the network use Bluetooth to scan and detect lost items and then use internet connectivity to relay location information to the owner. The network can also pinpoint the geolocation of some devices, such as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro for several hours even if they are turned off or their battery is depleted. Beyond finding lost Android phones and tablets the updated "Find My Device" network allows you to track compatible Bluetooth trackers, such as those made by Chipolo and Pebblebee, devices with Wear OS, including Pixel Watch, as well as other Android-compatible accessories such as Pixel Buds and, in the future, headphones from JBL and Sony.
How to find your devices?
You have a few ways to find lost devices using the "Find My Device" network. Before you start tracking a missing gadget you need to set everything up, including logging into your Google account, enabling location services on your device and making sure "Find My Device" is enabled on your device and the "Find My Device" app is installed from the Google Play Store. If everything is done correctly you can track your device at the URL: google.com/android/find. Moreover, any Android smartphone or tablet you have signed into with the "Find My Device" app will also allow you to track yourself or your connected gadgets. Besides directly tracking your devices, Google's "Find My Device" network has a couple of other features that you might already be familiar with if you use Apple AirTag trackers paired with a similar tracking network on Apple devices. These features include:
- Shared Devices: A useful feature is the ability to add family members or friends and track shared tags set on - for example, a TV remote, a spare house key or even a vehicle. In this case any added user can find a shared device without bothering the person who initially set it up.
- Unknown Tracker: The convenience of the "Find My Device" network is also associated with some risks. As evident from years of experience with Apple AirTag trackers people can misuse such trackers for stalking purposes. Like Apple's network Google's "Find My Device" network can now notify users of unknown trackers that may have been placed on them to track their location. Apple and Google are working together on this system, so alerts will be sent for any Bluetooth trackers regardless of the operating system of the smartphone being used.
How to opt out of the "Find My Device" network?
Google connects you to the tracking network by default. To protect privacy, the company says all user data about their device location is securely encrypted and access is only granted after entering a pre-configured PIN, pattern or password. Only you and those you have shared your devices with can see the location of your gadgets. The company claims that these devices will not be visible to Google itself and will not be used for any other purposes. However, the protective measures that major corporations claim to implement are not always actually followed. If you decide that you don’t want to participate in Google’s tracking network, opting out of the “Find My Device” feature is easy. However, the way to opt out depends on whether the feature was activated in your account. If you recently received an email titled “Your Android devices will soon join the “Find My Device” network”, stating that the service will be activated within three days, you can opt out of using it beforehand by clicking the link provided in the email. If you don’t remember receiving such an email or if the three-day period has already passed - don’t worry, you can easily revoke access to your device in the settings on your smartphone. To do this:
- Go to system settings;
- Select “Google”;
- Select “Find My Device”;
- Toggle the switch next to the label “Use Find My Device service” to “Off”;
- Confirm the action using your PIN, pattern or biometrics.
Conclusion.
While Google’s “Find My Device” service can be useful for finding lost gadgets it also raises questions about privacy and data security. Large tech companies often declare the protection of user's private information but in practice these assurances are not always upheld. Everyone should weigh the pros and cons of such services before using them and sharing their data. The right to privacy is one of the cornerstones of modern society and we all must be vigilant to preserve it in the age of mass digitalization.
Last edited:
