Google and Apple have software and hardware solutions for finding lost or stolen devices, but the specifics of their work are very different. For example, the Cupertino service Find My Device allows users to track an iPhone, iPad, Mac or AirTag even if they are out of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range or even turned off. Google does not have such an opportunity, but back in December last year, the company promised to implement it. Now there are details on how this feature will work.
Google is working on a feature to find your smartphone even when it’s turned off
According to insider Kuba Wojciechowski, Google is working on a new feature called the Pixel Power-off Finder as part of its Find My Device service. Apparently, at the first stage, it will be available exclusively on Pixel smartphones and with its help it will be possible to find the device when it is turned off. Similar to Apple’s decision, the search giant intends to network all Android devices, including UWB gadgets, search beacons, and more. A recent leak suggests that Google intends to make appropriate changes to the Find My Device service, taking Apple’s implementation as an example.
It seems that the company is trying to follow the example of Apple and use the network of all Android devices to search
Google has shared the early source code of Android 14 with OEMs that are registered with the Early Access Program (EAP). The source code includes a new hardware abstraction layer (HAL) called “hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder” and, according to the code comments, the Finger Network network keys will be sent to the device’s Bluetooth chip, which will remain on even when the smartphone itself is turned off. In other words, this feature requires hardware support to keep Bluetooth active at all times. It’s not clear at this point which Android devices will support this technology, but the upcoming Pixel 8 will certainly have this capability.
