After Apple, Google also introduces its search function for lost or stolen devices. As already happens with the iPhone, iPad and other members of the Cupertino family, Big G has chosen to develop a customized version of the feature which could be called "Find my Android". Users will be able to identify and retrieve the devices managed by the robot's operating system, with a novelty compared to the past.
A very short time after the release, some experts of the XDA Developers site got to work on the 21.24.13 version of the Google Play Services published on the OS beta channel of Mountain View. This is a space dedicated to those who make themselves available to carry out tests on the software, in order to highlight any bugs and restore correct functioning before the update becomes available to everyone. Although it does not yet have an official name, in the strings identified within the package the service has been described as what "allows the phone to help locate your device or that of other people".
Find my Android, how does it work?
First of all it is right to specify that Android can already count on a similar feature. Let's talk about what is called "Find my device" and which allows you to track down mobile phones or tablets registered on the Google account. And this is the limitation that makes the difference with the recent evolution of the bitten Apple.
In fact, if for Big G up to now it has been possible to search only on devices that you own, or that are connected to your personal profile, Apple has created a real network in which anyone can help find someone else's device, too. which is identified anonymously. But not only that, because the network of Apple devices connected to each other anonymously also allows you to find any objects connected to the new Apple AirTags.
With a system of this type, every Android smartphone in the world (and there are over 3 billion) could help find the single lost or stolen device. A network of this kind, then, could also be used by Google on a possible “Pixel Tag“. For the sake of completeness, then, remember that Samsung also has a similar function but the network is composed only of other Samsung devices.
Find my Android, when will it start working?
There are currently no indications as to the future release of the feature. Consequently, "Find My Android" may not be part of the features of release 12 of the operating system or be present only on certain phones of the more than three billion tools (not exclusively smartphones) equipped with the OS of the robot.
Surely, if so, Google itself will provide more information on the introduction of the feature. And many are already wondering if there will be the possibility to choose between opt-in and opt-out from the service, a detail that would greatly reduce the number of devices available but give valid support in protecting the user's privacy: what will he choose to do Big G? All that remains is to wait.