Google prepares to help you find your Android phone even when it’s powered off
Google has long offered a “ Find My Device ” feature that lets you locate your Android phone on a map, play a sound to help you find it, or lock or erase your device to prevent your data from getting into someone else’s hands. But so far this only works on devices that are powered on. In the future you may be able to find an Android device even when it’s turned off, or possibly even after it’s been factory reset. There’ve been multiple reports in recent months that Google is building out a “Finder Network” meant to rival Apple’s “Find My” network. Essentially it will be able to leverage millions of Android phones to create a network that helps locate missing phones, wireless earbuds, or other accessories… possibly including Bluetooth tracker tags similar to those offered by Apple , Samsung , and Tile . The network is expected to be opt-in, and user data will be encrypted and anonymized to protect your privacy. But unless Google makes some changes to the way Android phones work, you’d s...
