Google might soon use phones nearby to help track a lost Android smartphone, car

Google is reportedly working on adding new features to its “Find My Device” ecosystem and according to 9to5Google, the company is soon going to bring in the ability to track and find a lost Android smartphone by using other Android devices around it anonymously. Cars that come with Android Auto infotainment systems will also be able to use this feature and can be ‘found’ using the same method. The new feature in the world for the Find My Device capability on Google is the ability to “share” ownership of a device with other people, according to reports. Also, reports state that you will be able to track your lost phone and even if there is no internet connection.

Google is also bringing in the ability to login with your Google account on newer Android Auto infotainment systems which will help you track your car if it gets stolen. And this feature to track cars that Google is bringing in is not restricted to just securing your vehicle, it can also prevent others from accessing your Google account without authorisation. Reports state that all these features are currently in the works and for now there is no timeline that Google has shared for these being rolled out.

This is Google essentially working on a feature similar to Apple’s ‘Find My’ network. Apple’s robust Find My network uses other iPhones in the vicinity to help you track down lost devices without compromising on the location security of those devices. With Apple’s Find My network you can locate lost Apple devices that have been signed in with the same Apple ID and also keep track of AirTags.

According to an XDA Developers’ report, the new version 21.24.13 of Google Play Services app contains a couple of codes - "mdm_find_device_network_description" and "mdm_find_device_network_title” - that indicate Google may be working a new feature to keep track of Android devices.

The report adds that the feature will “allow your phone to help locate your and other people's devices”. Google hasn’t revealed anything officially about this new feature yet and very little is known as to how it will be different from the existing Android Find My Device.