"Find My Device": Google expands its search service for devices

Until now, only you could use "Find my device" to search for your smartphone, tablet or headphones. Google is now changing this in the USA and Canada. Other Android users can now also find the devices there. An expansion of the service is only a matter of time.

Find all Android devices with

If a stranger's Android device finds your missing gadget, the stranger won't know anything about it - and you won't find out anything about the person. The notification about the location will reach you anonymously

However, this only works as long as the devices have power and are sending signals. Exception: Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones can even be found when their battery is empty or they are switched off.

From May, Bluetooth trackers will also be among the items that can be found via "Find My Device". At the start, however, only models from Chipolo and Pebblebee. Google plans to add other manufacturers over the course of the year. The integration in "Find my device" does not override the existing warnings about secretly installed trackers that are used for stalking, for example.

If you approach a device during the search, the "Find my device" app switches to a kind of "warm, warmer, really hot" mode and points you in the right direction. You can still play a sound on smartphones and tablets.

More precise instructions within your own four walls

Since most items are searched for in your own home, Google integrates its Nest series smart home devices into "Find My Device". The app shows you which Nest devices the object you are looking for was last in the vicinity of

You can also share items with friends via "Find my device". This allows them to borrow items from you or help you find them.

In case the functions look familiar: Apple integrated most of them into its "Where is?" service before Google did. <p