Not Only Pixel Users But Other Android Users Can Also Now Access Find My Device Offline Feature
In April this year, Google rolled out an upgraded Find My Device network for Android devices that run on Android 9 or later. This app enabled users to track their device easily though the condition was that the device must be powered on and connected to the network.
Previously Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users were able to track their device even if its battery was dead or it was powered off. In case the device was not connected to the network, Pixel users were also able to locate their smartphone by ringing or viewing their location on the map but tracking of the device when offline was only available for the Pixel users.
But that will not be the case anymore as Google has rolled out a new update for the Find My Device app in which all Android users can now locate their device even if the device is offline. The update also brings a refreshed app design.
Find Your Offline Android Devices
When your device is offline, Find My Device can use encrypted location info sent by your Android device and others in the Find My Device network.
First option seen above is “Off”, this can be used if a user prefers not to participate in the network or have the ability to find your own items when they are offline by storing encrypted recent locations with Google, you can choose to turn off these offline finding features completely.
Next is “Without Network” which helps in locating your offline devices using their stored recent locations when they were online. Then comes the “With network in high-traffic areas only” option that locates the device using stored recent locations or the network in areas like airports or busy footpaths. To help find a lost item, location info from your device is used only if others in the network also detect the item.
While with “Network in all Areas” option the device is located using stored recent locations or the network even in low-traffic areas. To help find a lost item, location info from your device may be used even if it’s the only one in the network to detect the item.
Also, the users need to worry about their location being shared with Google, as Find My Device offline location info is encrypted with either the PIN, pattern, or password of your Android devices.
