Google is reportedly working on a new feature that will enable users to locate their lost or stolen Android devices even when they are turned off. This comes as great news for Android users who have long awaited a feature similar to Apple's 'Find My Device' network. Apple's feature has the ability to track devices even when they are not in range of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and even when they are turned off. Google had previously teased a similar feature for Android devices back in December 2022, which could locate lost or stolen Android phones even without an internet connection. Now, according to a tip from reliable source Kuba Wojciechowski, 91mobiles has exclusively learned that Google is developing a new 'Find My Device' feature that will be able to locate Android devices even when they are powered off.
According to a tip from Kuba Wojciechowski, a reliable source, 91mobiles has exclusively learned that Google is working on this new 'Find My Device' feature. The feature is expected to be called 'Pixel Power-Off Finder' at least on Google Pixels, and it will require hardware compatibility because the Bluetooth chip needs to be active even when the phone is turned off.
The Pixel 8 will reportedly support this feature, but it remains unclear whether the Pixel 6 and 7 series devices will be compatible. A new Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) definition called "hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder" appeared in the Android 14 source code. According to code comments, Finder Network keys will be loaded onto the device's Bluetooth chip, which will remain on even when the phone is turned off.
This new feature is a game-changer for Android users, as it will give them peace of mind knowing that they can locate their lost or stolen devices even when they are turned off. It is not yet clear when this feature will be released, but it is expected to be a part of future Android updates.
The Pixel 8 will reportedly support this feature, but it remains unclear whether the Pixel 6 and 7 series devices will be compatible. A new Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) definition called "hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder" appeared in the Android 14 source code. According to code comments, Finder Network keys will be loaded onto the device's Bluetooth chip, which will remain on even when the phone is turned off.
This new feature is a game-changer for Android users, as it will give them peace of mind knowing that they can locate their lost or stolen devices even when they are turned off. It is not yet clear when this feature will be released, but it is expected to be a part of future Android updates.
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-Anurag