Google to Resolve Android’s Find My Device Network Issues in the Coming Weeks

Google has taken notice of concerns surrounding its Find My Device network and is actively working on implementing improvements to enhance the speed and accuracy of locating lost items. The company expects the network to expand as more devices join, thereby enhancing its ability to locate lost devices more efficiently.

The performance of collaborative tracking networks like Android’s Find My Device relies heavily on user participation. Initially available only in the US and Canada, the rollout of the Find My Device network has been slow, with the recent expansion to the UK just last month. In an effort to improve network performance, Google suggests that users can adjust their settings to “Network in all areas” instead of the default “With network only in high traffic areas” setting. By opting for this change, users may be able to locate lost items more quickly, especially in areas with less network traffic.

The default setting of “With network only in high traffic areas” relies on multiple Android devices detecting a lost item before sharing its location, which works best in congested locations like shopping malls or airports. On the other hand, the “Network in all areas” setting uses the location of a single device to potentially locate lost items faster in less crowded areas. However, this setting requires users to opt-in to share their location information over the network, which may raise privacy concerns for some individuals.

Google assures that ongoing improvements to the Find My Device network will help enhance its performance as it continues to grow. By encouraging users to consider changing their network settings to optimize their ability to locate lost items, Google aims to provide a more effective and efficient tracking experience for its users. With these planned enhancements in place, Google remains committed to ensuring that its Find My Device network remains a valuable tool for individuals in need of locating lost devices.

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https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/26/24186381/google-find-my-device-tracking-pixel-android