Well, finally It took days, not weeks, for the Find My Android device network mode deployment to appear. As you may recall, we told you last Friday that it seemed imminent as some Android users started receiving messages informing them that the countdown was only three days away, meaning that deployment would begin today, April 8th. However, and given that what delayed its launch was waiting for Apple to guarantee the security of users against unauthorized surveillance, I thought that Google would decide to wait until the arrival of iOS 17.5.

However, it is true that Google has fulfilled its obligations long ago, to the extent that the launch of Find My Device network mode for Android It was announced at Google I/O 2023, while Apple took it much more calmly, something that didn’t come for free. It is, and given that Apple Find My has already offered this network mode since 2020, it is understandable that Google is tired of waiting and in this way compares its services to those offered by those from Cupertino.

So things are Google officially announced that the deployment starts today and that its reach will be global, although the first users to access this network mode will be those in Canada and the United States, with no calendar revealed for its jump to other geographies. Now the company is focusing on the fact that the collaborative network of devices consists of more than one billion devices (potentially, of course, since in reality users can refuse to participate in it), a number that we will only reach if we include the total number of compatible devices ( with Android 9 and above) worldwide.

In short, for those who don’t know what Find My Device Network Mode is, yes allows any compatible device to detect the location of the lost device and inform its owner about it, which also applies to locators that can be used on keys, wallets, vehicles, etc. And in addition, for users of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, thanks to specific hardware, it will also be possible to find them even when they are turned off and they have a dead battery.

Find my Android device too adds the function of locating nearby elements, for which it will indicate the distance they are as we move. A digital version of the classic “cold, warm, hot” game, which I personally find most practical with small items like keys and wallets.

It has been known for some time that Google has focused on security, which is not only about (although of course also). identification of unknown tracking beaconsalso in such an important aspect as the privacy of the location data that will be transmitted end-to-end encryptionin optimizing the volume of network traffic and, of course, more than extensive user control of its operation.

Now, while privacy is very important, there will also be instances and occasions when we want to share the location of the device or beacon with third parties. Google also thought of this when developing the Find My Device network functions, so we will be able to choose what and with whom we want to share.

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