More and more people in Canada and the USA are getting notice about the availability of the Find My Device network. The feature was first launched in those countries in April. Now, Google is promoting it. Not only that, it also tells users how to prevent their devices from joining the network if they prefer.
The notice about the Find My Device network is reaching users via email, offering a brief description of the feature and its main advantages. It says that you will be able to locate devices even if they are offline. This is one of the big differences compared to the company’s previous Find My Device system. Now, it’s similar to what Apple offers with its Find My network.
As reported by 9to5Google, the email also adds that people can prevent their devices from joining the Find My Device network. More specifically, there are four options available with different ways to participate, including disabling it completely. You can access these options from the “Find My Device” option in your device’s settings. Once the feature is active, compatible products will get a notification that they have been added to the network.
This is how the Find My Device network works
Regarding the operation of the Find My Device network, Google adds that “Devices in the network use Bluetooth to scan for nearby items. If other devices detect your items, they’ll securely send the locations where the items were detected to Find My Device. Your Android devices will do the same to help others find their offline items when detected nearby.”
If you are concerned about security or privacy, the company states that “Your devices’ locations will be encrypted using the PIN, pattern, or password for your Android devices. They can only be seen by you and those you share your devices with in Find My Device. They will not be visible to Google or used for other purposes.”
In addition to Android devices, the Find My Device network will be compatible with location trackers. The first compatible ones are expected to arrive next month.
