Find Your Lost Phone Even When It’s Off: Android 15 Leak Hints at a New Feature

Google’s much-anticipated developer conference, Google I/O 2024, is set to showcase the future of Android with the unveiling of Android 15. Scheduled for May 14, the event promises exciting developments, especially in device security.

Among the buzzworthy features is a new way to track lost devices, even when they’re powered off. This update could revolutionize how we keep our devices safe.

Feature similar to Apple’s Find My network

The possibility of tracking powered-off devices has been a topic of discussion since last year. Recent insights from
Android Police
indicate that Android 15 might indeed bring this feature to life. It’s designed to work similarly to Apple’s Find My network, allowing users to find their devices without an internet connection. This is done through Bluetooth beacon signaling, enabling other devices to detect and relay the location of the lost item back to its owner.

However, the expansion of Google’s Find My Device network to include offline tracking and third-party trackers, announced at Google I/O 2023, hasn’t been implemented yet. It’s reported that Google is waiting for Apple to finalize cross-platform tracking specifications. Once in place, this network will not only boost device security but also improve privacy protections. It will notify users if an unknown third-party tracker attempts to locate them without permission.

Offline tracking could debut with Google Pixel 9

Currently, the Find My Device network can track Android and Wear OS devices that are on and connected to the internet. Extending this to offline tracking would greatly increase its usefulness, helping users find their devices under more circumstances. If reports are accurate, the new feature could debut with the Google Pixel 9 and might also be available on the Google Pixel 8. However, not all devices will be compatible. Implementing offline tracking requires specific hardware engineering, potentially excluding older models like the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel Fold from this update.

The anticipation for Google I/O 2024 is high, as it not only promises to showcase Android 15 but also to introduce significant advancements in how we manage and secure our devices. The addition of offline device tracking represents a significant step forward in technology, making our digital lives a bit safer.