Offline search for lost gadgets on Android is now available.

Offline device tracking becomes available to Android users.

Google is rolling out its “Locate My Device” network, which now tracks not only smartphones but also compatible accessories like headphones and earbuds, even when they’re offline.

Previously, we could only locate lost or stolen Android phones using Find my device functioned if they had an active Internet connection. But now it also works offline. Google has created a network of compatible devices that find each other via Bluetooth. If they detect a lost device, they send its location to Find my device in an encrypted format via a secure connection. Not only smartphones and tablets can be tracked this way; Now you can also track compatible accessories.

Compatible accessories

Google refers to compatible accessories as devices that support quick pairing. You may have noticed this when you open the charging case of your Bluetooth headphones and a pop-up window appears on your phone. Another example is tracking tags attached to keys or valuable items.

Google assures us that the network poses no threat to spies; all information is end-to-end encrypted and only authorized users with the PIN, unlock pattern or password of the Android device have access to it. Only the owner can share the location with others.

Resignation

This feature is activated via update. When a device joins Find my device network, you will receive an email notification. While there’s no reason not to trust Google, anyone who doesn’t want to participate can change that in their device’s settings. To do this, search Services and settings – All services – Personal security and device security – Find devices in the search window or below Google – Services & Settings – All Services – Personal & Device Security – Find Devices. There are several options.

If you enable this feature Off, the device will not be part of the network and its last known locations will not be saved. However, the options remain active unless you turn them off completely Find my device.

Network functions

No signal means you are not connected to the network but you can still find the device using its last known location.

Network only in crowded places means that location data is only used when multiple Android devices detect a lost gadget. Based on these detections, the owner will then receive the location of the device.

If you activate Network everywhere, you will always share your device’s location on the network. This makes it possible to locate a lost gadget, even if it was detected by only one device. And who knows? You can also help others in this process.

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Source: www.ntv.de