Google Pixel 8’s ‘Find My Device’ Feature Expands to Android Phones

Google’s enhanced Find My Device network now has the ability to locate devices even when they’re offline. These devices can be located even if they are not connected to the internet. With the Pixel 8 series, Google takes this a step further by allowing users to locate their phones even when they’re switched off. This advanced capability is expected to be extended to other phones as well, as confirmed by Google.

Google employs specialized hardware on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro to enable this feature, leveraging the Bluetooth chip inside the phones to function even when they’re out of battery or turned off. Google is urging other Android phone manufacturers to follow suit and adopt this technology

A Google representative confirmed that they are collaborating with other SOC manufacturers and OEMs to extend the capability of tracking devices with dead batteries to additional premium Android devices. However, it remains unclear whether this functionality can be retroactively implemented on existing Android phones beyond the Pixel 8 series.

Currently, most Android devices lack the capability to communicate over Bluetooth when powered off. iPhones have possessed this ability for some time, predating its introduction to the Pixel 8 series by Google. The question now is whether existing flagship Android devices, such as the Galaxy S24 series, possess the necessary hardware support to maintain Bluetooth functionality even when the main processor and operating system are shut down.

‘Find my device’ Feature on Android May Work Even with your phone Turned off

Google’s advancement in offline device tracking represents a significant step forward in enhancing the user experience and security within the Android ecosystem. While the Pixel 8 series showcases the potential of this technology, its extension to other premium Android devices underscores a collaborative effort toward improving device recovery and protection. As the industry progresses, the adoption of such features across a broader range of smartphones promises to redefine the standards for device security and user convenience in the digital age.