Google has shared the launch date of Android’s Find My Device network, according to reports from 9to5Google. The network will utilize the large number of Android devices to help locate missing devices such as phones, headphones, and trackers.
This launch was delayed as Google and Apple collaborated to establish an industry standard to prevent misuse of this location technology. The delay was to ensure that it wouldn’t be used for malicious tracking, a concern following Apple’s AirTag launch in 2021.
To accommodate iPhone users, Google postponed its network launch until Apple could integrate the protection into iOS, which seems to have happened in iOS 17.5.
Recently, settings for the Find My Device network started appearing for beta users of Google Play Services, hinting at an imminent launch. However, the feature itself didn’t function properly.
Find My Device network launch date?
Google sent emails to some users this Thursday, announcing the imminent launch of the Find My Device network. The network allows locating devices even when offline and compatible accessories like earbuds, headphones, and trackers.
The email mentioned the launch “in three days,” possibly on Sunday, April 7, or Monday, April 8, almost a year after the initial announcement. Users can opt out of the network through Find My Device on the web before the launch.
Though Google hasn’t officially announced the release date elsewhere, the email suggests it’s imminent. The email also provides a link for early opt-out, but its availability seems account-dependent.