What is Google Find My Device and how to use it?

Main points

• Google’s Find My Device network helps track lost Android devices and everyday items through Bluetooth tracker tags.
• Follow the steps below to activate Find My Device and add devices to ensure device compatibility.
• Share access with up to 10 people to track your items, or remove a device from Find My Device if needed.

Google is making it easier for Android users to manage all their stuff. Similar to Apple’s Find My Device network, Google’s Find My Device network is a location tracking service used to pinpoint lost Android devices and everyday items.

Because this feature is still being rolled out, device compatibility may be limited. Headphone brands like Sony and JBL announced early on that they would join the Find My Device network, but many other manufacturers have yet to adapt. There will also be support for Bluetooth tracker tags, allowing you to track everyday items like keys, wallets, or luggage.

Here’s how to set up Find My Device to make sure you’re prepared in case you lose your phone, tablet, Wear OS watch, headphones, or any other device tagged with a tracker.

How to turn on Find My Device

Make sure your device can be located

To take advantage of Find My Device, you must activate your Android or WearOS device before it is lost. Please follow these steps to ensure your device is trackable:

1. First, make sure your mobile device is signed in to your Google Account.go set up > Google and find your name and email address. If you don’t see it, log into your account.
2. Turn on location tracking.go set up > Place and make sure usePlace activated.
3. Open Find My Device.go set up > Google > All services > find my device and make sure Use Find My Device activated.

Depending on your device, you may see more options under Find My Device. For example, a Pixel 8 phone can be located even if its battery is drained.tap Find your offline devices Learn more about settings.

How to add a device to Find My Device

Find Bluetooth trackers, headphones, and more

When you pair a compatible device with your phone, you’ll see a prompt asking if you want to add it to Find My Devices. Once pairing is complete, the Bluetooth tracker tag is automatically added. Tracker tags can help you keep track of your keys, luggage, bike, or anything else.If you have connected headphones or other Bluetooth accessories to your mobile device, go to set up > Connect devices > Yesour equipment > Find when disconnected > Add to Enable support for Find My Device networks (if compatible).

Not all headphones and trackers are compatible with Google’s Find My Device network, so if your device isn’t supported yet, you won’t see these options.

Use Find My Device to locate objects

Use an app or portal

After activating Find My Device, you can use the Find My Device app or web portal to locate your Android device and other devices.

In a web browser, visit android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account. If the device has multiple user profiles, log in to the primary profile. Select your device from the list to view its current or last known location.

If you own multiple mobile devices, you should install the Find My Device app on each of them to help keep track of them all. Download the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store and log in to your Google account to view all your devices.

The app or portal will show your device’s location on a map, but if you still can’t find it, select Find nearby or Play sound Let it ring. The Find My Device app even displays the device’s distance from your Google Home Nest devices, providing a convenient reference point.

How to share a device with Find My Device

Allow family and friends to track your device

You can also allow friends and family to track your items with Find My Device. You can extend access to up to 10 people, allowing everyone to track valuable items in the app.

Please follow these steps to share a device or Bluetooth tracker tag:

1. Open find my device app.
2. Select the device you want to share.
3. tap Shared devicethen select a method to send the invitation.
4. When the recipient opens the shared link, they’ll be prompted to install the Find My Device app if they haven’t already.When they open the app, they have to click accept. Once accepted, a 4-digit PIN will be provided under Shared Devices.
5. After they accept it, open find my device Apply again.
6. Select your device and choose set up.
7. Choose the friends or family you want.
8. tap confirm. For added security, a 4-digit PIN will be provided under shared devices.

How to stop sharing a device

Remove a device from Find My Device

If necessary, you can stop sharing your device at any time and remove it from Find My Device. Once device sharing stops, only the owner retains the ability to locate it. For the device you have, follow these steps:

1. Open find my device app.
2. Select a shared device.
3. right to use set up.
4. Next to the person, click more (…), Then Stop sharing.
5. To remove a device, select Remove from Find My Device > Remove device. You must be within Bluetooth range of the device to delete it.

Others can use these instructions to stop tracking your device:

1. Open find my device app.
2. Select a shared device.
3. right to use set up.
4. tap Leave a share.

When you remove a nearby tracker tag from Find My Device, all associated data, including its paired device and email address, will be deleted.

How does Find My Device work?

The network relies on crowdsourced location data

Find My Device uses a crowdsourced device location network to find lost or misplaced devices and items even when you’re offline. The Find My Device network uses the Bluetooth proximity of nearby Android devices to locate the device.

For example, if you have Bluetooth tags attached to your keys and you lose them, nearby Android devices participating in the Find My Device network can report the Bluetooth tag’s location. When you log into the Find My Device mobile app, you can view aggregated locations provided by nearby Android devices and find your keys. Google has put safeguards in place to ensure the privacy of all participants in the network, including end-to-end encryption of location data.