'APPY DAYS
‘Finally’ Android fans yell as Google plots a life-saving free upgrade that iPhone has had for years
Check if your phone is eligible for the new feature below
GOOGLE is reportedly eyeing its upcoming Pixel 9 launch to unveil a new, life-saving, feature that makes Android devices trackable, even when they're switched off.
If you thought that concept sounds familiar, it is - Apple's iPhones have had access to this feature for years in the Find My app.
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Google has its own Find My Device service, which you help you find a lost Android phone.
But the company has been working on upgrading its own Find MY Device feature since August last year.
This feature makes it possible for your phone to be located even when it's powered off.
Mishaal Rahman
Last summer, Google announced that Android owners will soon be able to use Bluetooth and offline services to pinpoint phones.
But both features are yet to land on Pixel devices.
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And the tech giant has been tight-lipped in regards to an official launch date.
Trusted Android source Mishaal Rahman, however, has noted that Google could roll out the feature alongside its Pixel 9 handset in October.
Rahman added that, once it arrives, the feature will be available to Pixel 8 owners.
"I have good news for Pixel 8 owners: your phone should support Android's Powered Off Finding feature when Google's Find My Device network launches," he wrote in an X .
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"This feature makes it possible for your phone to be located even when it's powered off."
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It combats every thief's first port of call: to turn off the device to avoid tracking.
"Finally," on onlooker in response to the new feature.
Another : "This is a great feature, especially if the phone is stolen."
Although, it looks like it might just be the Pixel 8 and 9 owners who will be protected by the feature.
Rahman added: "Sadly, it looks like neither the Pixel 7 Pro nor the Pixel Fold currently support this feature."
How to set up Find My Device on Android
First off, you'll need to grab your Android phone and go through this list:
- Make sure it's turned on
- Sign into your Google Account
- Connect to mobile data or Wi-Fi
- Turn on location
- Turn on Find My Device
To turn Find My Device on, go into your Settings app.
Then tap Security > Find My Device, or Security and Location, or Google > Security.
Now toggle Find My Device to the "on" position.
Also, if you use your lose phone for two-step verification then you'll also need to have a backup phone or backup code.
If you don't meet these requirements then Find My Device won't work properly.
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