Millions of Android owners receive huge free ‘tracker’ upgrade that instantly makes devices safer from thieves
ANDROID owners are set to receive an upgrade to the Find My feature that will make their devices easier to locate.
Soon, the Find My feature - which is often integral to tracking down lost or stolen devices - will be able to use Bluetooth and offline services to pinpoint phones.
The feature currently only works with devices that have location capabilities and are connected to the internet.
It means Android owners will only be able to see the device's last connected location, and not where it could actually be.
This makes it pretty easy for a thief to make sure an Android phone is never found.
Likewise, an innocently lost phone away from a reliable Wi-Fi network.
READ MORE ON ANDROID
'Lost your phone with no signal in the forest on a dog walk? Forget about it.'
That was the reality until Google revealed upcoming updates to the Find My feature.
Android owners will soon be able to track devices using third-party Bluetooth trackers, like Apple's Air Tag.
The upgrade will essentially allow all trackers to be discovered by nearly every Android smartphone to create a network of devices to help customers track down their lost belongings.
Most read in Phones & Gadgets
It means the Find My service will be able to pinpoint Bluetooth trackers that people may attach to their keys or leave in their bag to make sure they can locate your other missing belongings.
In late July, Google revealed a new alert that will flag if someone is using a Bluetooth tracker to stalk Android owners.
It comes two years after Apple released its portable tracker.
To prevent unwanted tracking on iPhones, though, Google opted to delay the network until Apple can implement protections, according to 9to5Google.
The location data will also be encrypted, which means hackers can't figure out where a device is, and often where its owner is.
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered...
- How to delete your Instagram account
- What does pending mean on Snapchat?
- How to check if you've been blocked on WhatsApp
- How to drop a pin on Google Maps
- How can I change my Facebook password?
- How to go live on TikTok
- How to clear the cache on an iPhone
- What is NFT art?
- What is OnlyFans?
- What does Meta mean?
Get all the latest WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and other tech gadget stories here.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]