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Have you ever lost your Android device, leaving you unable to locate it through Android’s Find My Device? Your misplaced device likely couldn’t be located by the feature since it wasn’t connected to the internet then. Fortunately, Google seems to be getting ready to introduce Android Find My Device network option. This option will help locate a lost or stolen device even offline. Do note that the feature is not yet official.
Some beta users have seen the settings, but are not yet able to activate anything. If we had to guess, we’d say it’s coming soon, though. So keep your eyes peeled.
While the Find My Device network feature was announced in May 2023, the Summer 2023 launch date was indefinitely delayed. The delay occurred as Apple did not have protection against unwanted tracking accessories. Fortunately, that seems to be changing soon, and select users can already see Android’s Find My Device network feature.
Android’s Find My Device network is right around the corner
Some users have reported a new Find Your Offline Devices option in the Find My Device screen. However, this is only after updating it to the latest beta version of Google Play Services, v24.12.14. Attempting to modify the feature leads to another page with different options for using this feature.
This was pointed out by AssembleDebug on X and validated by many users on Telegram. However, the new feature is still not rolling out in a functional form. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for that to happen.
How will the ‘Find My Device’ network actually work?
The main advantage the ‘Find My Device’ network provides users is the ability to find the location of an offline device. At the moment, the Find My Device feature requires the lost or stolen Android device to have an active internet connection before you can locate it.
The Find My Device network will gain access to Google Play Services of all Android phones to find lost devices. This way, the mandatory connection requirement will be removed from the equation. Supported devices include phones, smartwatches, trackers, and headphones.
There will be an option for you to not participate in the network and still be able to locate lost devices by using their stored recent locations. Another option is for your device location information to be accessed only if other devices in the network also detect the lost device.