Google catches up with Apple, adds Find My Device for Android

Google is adding a truly useful feature to Android that Apple has had on iOS devices since 2019, an asset and device tracking app. Called Find My Device (natch) the app will initially roll out in the United States and Canada, before users worldwide will get it at some stage that Google didn't reveal.

If you've used Apple's Find My, you'll appreciate how useful such an app can be. Google's version builds on its existing service that was accessible over the web before, and adds more features.

Find My Device can help you locate misplaced devices, and you can ring them and see their location on Google Maps. Apparently, Google's Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have special hardware that lets owners find devices if they're powered off, or the battery's empty.

Google is also touting the ability to track things like keys, wallets and luggage using Bluetooth tags like Chipolo. That feature's arriving for Find My Device next month, at least for the US and Canada. 

One handy feature is the ability to share tracker tags between users, so you could put one on say a keyring that's used by several people and always know where it is.

Stolen or lost Android devices can also be locked and erased remotely with Find My Device.

Find My Device uses other Google Android devices - and there are over a billion of them currently - and Nest gear for location. This is aided by satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking, Wi-Fi networks, and cellular service towers as well, and Bluetooth as per above.

Here's how Google's security team built the new Find My Device network, with an extensive focus on safety and privacy.

Caveats: you need at least version nine of Google's Android mobile operating system on your device, and the list of tracker tags and audio devices isn't that extensive at the moment.

Update An Android update brought Find My Device to Oppo's foldable Find N3, so it looks like the app is available outside North America.