Google is rolling out its Find My Device network to a select group of users. The offline function is expected to integrate with the future Android 15 update fully. This innovative tool further strengthens device security by accurately locating offline devices.
The feature enables Android devices equipped with a suitable Bluetooth controller and hardware to emit a specific signal to be located, regardless of whether they are online, offline, or even powered down. This technological advance extensively aids in the recovery of lost or misplaced devices.
Some Google Play Services beta testers noticed options within the Find My Device network, including ‘Offline,’ ‘Online only in high-traffic zones,’ and ‘Online in all zones.’ However, the relationship between these settings and updates to the Google Play Services beta remains unclear, as not all devices with this version have shown the new feature.
For beta program members, the Find My Device network function is in the Security & Privacy settings under the Device Finders subsection.
Offline tracking feature in Android 15
The lack of an enrollment option hints that Google is unprepared for a comprehensive feature rollout.
The upcoming Android 15 is slated to fully support the offline function of the Find My Device network on its official release, along with the necessary APIs for Bluetooth hardware to maintain offline location services. This Android update is also predicted to introduce collaborative notifications, effectively categorizing messages according to their origin to reduce screen clutter and improve organization.
Android 15 is also set to revolutionize device file management with a default system function automatically categorizing files into specific folders. This innovative feature and the expected optimization of physical button usage for customized commands aim to enhance user interaction significantly.
Finally, a comprehensive dark mode, using true blacks across the system to improve battery life on OLED displays, is expected to be a key feature of Android 15. This and the other upgrades suggest a substantial step forward in improving the overall Android user experience.
Despite development challenges around preventing unwarranted tracking of the Find My Device network since its inception in 2023, Google and Apple are considering alert strategies to inform users when they are being tracked, ensuring user privacy and safety as the full-scale launch approaches.
