Google Revamps Find My Device with Offline Tracking Features

Google has updated its Find My Device service with major new features to help Android users locate lost or stolen devices.

The service, which started in 2013 as Android Device Manager, now includes offline tracking capabilities.

The biggest change is that devices can now be tracked even when offline or powered off. However, this feature currently only works with Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 phones. Google plans to expand this to other Android devices that have the necessary hardware.

Key Features:

• Remote ringing of lost devices
• Remote factory reset option
• Lock screen message display
• IMEI tracking
• Integration with Google Nest devices
• Bluetooth tracker compatibility

To use the basic features, users need to:

1. Open the Find My Device app or visit android.com/find
2. Sign in with their Google account
3. Select their lost device
4. Choose an action (ring, lock, or erase)

Google has added privacy protections, including end-to-end encryption for location data and unknown tracker alerts to prevent stalking.

The company is also working on adding Ultra-Wideband technology and Augmented Reality features for more precise tracking.