Home
News
You are here

Google wants its Find My Device feature to be more like Apple's, i.e. better

1comment

By Adrian Diaconescu

Published: Apr 06, 2023, 8:24 AM

Google wants its Find My Device feature to be more like Apple's, i.e. better

If you're not entirely devoted to either Android or iOS and have tried out both platforms over the years, you probably noticed one crucial difference in terms of how easy Google and Apple make finding a lost or stolen phone.

Simply put, Apple's Find My app, which works across its iPhones, iPads, Watches, AirPods, AirTags, and even Macs, can do a much better job of locating a device (with a functional Bluetooth chip) than the competition, which relies completely on Internet connectivity.

But Google is reportedly working hard on leveling the playing field in that regard, which we kind of suspected and the search giant teased fairly recently. While the latest speculation on the matter lacks any information on possible launch timing, the fact developers like Kuba Wojciechowski are able to find evidence of these efforts to improve Android's Find My Device functionality strongly suggests an announcement might be right around the corner.

We definitely wouldn't be surprised, for instance, if a preliminary launch were to take place at the Google I/O conference in May followed by a public rollout onboard of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in the fall.

While Big G's long-term goal is undoubtedly to build a "huge network of all Android devices" capable of supporting the improved Find My Device app, the ability to actually locate an Android phone when powered off is likely to be exclusive to the Pixel 8 family at first.

Purportedly called simply "Pixel Power-off Finder", the feature will almost certainly require special hardware to keep a phone's Bluetooth chip permanently enabled, and for the time being, it's not clear if the Pixel 7, 7 Pro, or any other Android devices available today are equipped with the necessary components to make something like that possible.

Similar to how Apple's Find My feature works, Google will probably add a "power reserve" mode of some sort to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which other Android phone manufacturers are obviously likely to "borrow."

The idea is to keep a tiny bit of juice available at all times so that a mobile device can be tracked even when it's switched off for any reason including low battery. Of course, no such functionality is infallible or unlimited, but it remains to be seen what kind of time limits Google will impose on the technology when it eventually rolls out.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

Read the latest from Adrian Diaconescu