Testing Google's NEW Android Find My Device Network

[@BBTechBreakdown]

UPDATE2: I received my Pebblebee tracker on June 13 2024. I am in the process of testing the network and initial results are not promising. Difficult to track in public and difficult to locate nearby. I expect these issues to be fixed with time though. Will be releasing video detailing my experience soon. UPDATE: According to Damien Wilde of 9to5Google, purchasing one of the bluetooth trackers will automatically activate the network on your device even if you haven't received the notification about it yet. Here is some more context from his article: "Even so, I decided that maybe I’ll try and set up Chipolo’s newest trackers before heading off for a long weekend away. Without Find My Device network activated on my Pixel 8 Pro, I expected to be left high and dry with a useless tracker. Instead, the initial setup phase allowed me to connect to the enhanced network and integrate the first wave trackers almost instantly. To reiterate: None of my Pixel devices have received a notification indicating they can access the updated network until this stage. Instead, the pop-up confirmed that I would be pairing to my account. This was followed by the “Use responsibly” prompt that has you agree to the terms and conditions of joining the network" Article link: 9to5google.com/2024/05/29/activate-find-my-device-on-android Also, based on a couple articles I've read we can expect Google to roll out the network worldwide by the end of June. This is not 100% but should give a rough idea. Hopefully it is sooner though. And apparently Google has said that the pixel buds pro will be supported with the new network, it just appears to not have been updated to do so yet. Here is quote from 9to5Google article by Abner Li: "Google has not provided a timeline on when the Pixel Buds Pro update is coming, while the Sony and JBL updates are coming “soon.” The first Bluetooth tracker tags (full list below) are coming in late May, with the headphone support possibly coming just before or around the same time."

[@YosefElgart]

will you make real word test / range test / moving subject like cat ( show us how its connects) im still waiting for mine pebblebes

[@Kris_96]

I still don't understand how this can be region locked for now...

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Agreed. Supposedly they are beginning to roll it out slowly to other countries. It'd be nice if they were at least more up front about what they are doing and why

[@hashikdonthineni2863]

This is to iron out bugs, issues, etc. Every company does that. Our team only releases few percentage of Japan first and then move to US later. It depends on the team/product.

[@NavneetRao]

Also it usually has to pass a bunch of varying regulations before being deployed in different countries.

[@TimTim40484]

I have tested the "Find nearby" option quite rigorously with my two non-Google Android devices. For me the option would say "It's here" even if I wasn't near the device at all like in a separate room At times the option to "Play sound" would just not work and you would have to try using it again and again until it worked. It would be better if the "Find nearby" option was always present so you could have your phone constantly checking for the device's Bluetooth signal as you walk around the place since you have to mash the refresh button and such or just wait for the phone to pick up the Bluetooth signal to get the option. Also the email that you get about the device being found doesn't contain any other useful information such as the location it was spotted and just leads you to the Help Center for finding a lost device.

[@BBTechBreakdown]

I finally got my Pebblebee tracker in and have been doing some more extensive testing with it (will be releasing video soon). And yea I have experienced a lot of bugs and actually had to completely factory reset my Pebblebee device because I couldn't even connect locally or even activate the sound at all. Also doesn't do well in public yet and I presume the network isn't rolled out much and the aforementioned bugs. I do think they will work out this stuff over time but it's not very helpful yet in its current state

[@nitingupta7739]

This is also working in my mobile phone I don't have a tracker. But if we turn on the bluetooth and location of our mobile we can get it also like the trackers. 1:57

[@parrishthomas92]

My galaxy buds still don't show up

[@SourMango99]

I'm extremely impressed with the quality of this content for your channel size! This stuff is going to get you places! I really need the precision finding to come to the Pixel buds pro and Sony WH-1009XM4 BADLY

[@BBTechBreakdown]

@@SourMango99 greatly appreciate it! I am looking forward to the pixel buds pro being supported by the new network as some older articles mention that they are supposed to be at some point. Not sure if they will support the xm4s tho but would like to see it. They likely won't have precise tracking like with UWB but the nearby tracking like the Bluetooth trackers and what pixel currently has. But Motorola is actually releasing an UWB capable tracker in a couple months or so which will be the first one available on Android's network

[@bennihtm]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Appreciate it! Glad it was helpful

[@mr_b_hhc]

Now they can track you with even greater precision. Yay.

[@BBTechBreakdown]

And you could always purchase a bunch of used android phones and station them around your house if you want them to have even more precision

[@surfing8323]

Great video!! What watches can use level 3 find my device network. Google pixel watch 2 is it the only watch that can do it?

[@surfing8323]

Or 2 level find my device watch that can use like google pixel watch 2

[@BBTechBreakdown]

@@surfing8323 thank you! As far as verified support for the new network (level 2) I'm not sure any is working yet. Although I do think the pixel watch is supposed to be supported at some point. It can be tracked as level 1 right now, just see the last place it was connected to your own device Also, there's more good news I saw about Google verifying that they are working on some improvements to the new network as far as rolling it out to more people and making it work better. Many people (including me) were having issues getting any location updates with their Bluetooth trackers. So right now the network is still a work in progress but I do think it will be great as Google continues to work out the bugs and roll it out more widely.

[@Cool_ProAsh]

3:34 use a location enabled google app on the IOS DEVICE! 3:34 3:34 3:34 3:34 3:34

[@buddylove330]

I don't have the find nearby option. Only play sound. Any suggestions? I'm using the new pebblebee trackers.

[@MayooN]

I am in Canada on Pixel 8 Pro. I still dont have this app update ! Anyone else ?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

I'd be interested to hear too. It seems to be rolling out to more people randomly. Considering the trackers ship out starting Monday I'm hoping to see a rapid increase in supported devices

[@djt6012]

I'm in Australia, and I recently got the notification of it coming in 3 days. So it should update for me in a day or two.

[@heyyou7945]

This is useless if it's stolen. I'm using a realme phone. While the sound is playing, I can just click the power button and the sound stops. The finder app shows "To stop the sound, you can also press the power button on the your phone". The website says the sound plays even when the phone is in silent. This is so dumb. Why couldn't they think of stopping the sound only when the phone is unlocked?

[@AndroidTablet-ck6pz]

I wish google would release this to other google devices

[@nitingupta7739]

I am from India it also came on my mobile phone and it is also working

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Nice! Hopefully it is rolling out quickly everywhere as my pebblebee tracker was having difficulty being tracked in public due to the network not having out to a lot of people (at least that's why I'm assuming it's doing that)

[@zeromark0]

Already available in India 🇮🇳 ❤

[@user-fy9ij9fx2e]

If this shares the tech with Apple AirTags does it mean that Android network will support Apple one and vice versa? So trying to locate the AirTag located nearby Android phone with Find My Device network enabled will be possible?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

No, this was implemented solely for detecting unwanted trackers in the other network. While Android's "Tracker Detect" app can locate nearby AirTags, it can't set them up or track them like Apple devices (so you must already know you're nearby). Also, AirTags only share location data with Apple devices. Android trackers, however, May potentially be viewed on iPhone via a web app (I'm gonna test this when I get one). But either way the networks will always be separate and only support full capabilities within their respective app.

[@KiraUchiha93]

My question is.. you got smt stolen, with a tag attached. And the thief is part of the find my network.. does he/she get the tag following warning.!?? Bcoz it would warn the thief of the tag presence 😅

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Yea, this would be an unintentional side effect of the detecting unwanted location trackers feature. It would alert anybody who has the feature if they have an android or iPhone. I'm planning to do some testing once my tracker comes in to see what sets it off exactly though. I'll try to stalk my wife

[@KiraUchiha93]

@@BBTechBreakdown first of all.. thaaaanx for the answer .. than.. the question comes from a video I saw on ig.. where a French guy got a jacket from vinted, and he got after some time a notification of a “following tag” and then found an AirTag stitched inside the pocket.. a dude came at the door asking for a girl (bcoz it was a lady jacket) prolly to kidnap or r@pə.. who knows. Ion even know if it was real or staged.. anyway let’s assume he didn’t buy the jacket from vinted, but stole instead from the legitimate owner, he would have noticed the warning of the following tag, found the tag, and thrown it away, right.?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Yea I would assume that if you found the tracker you would get rid of it asap. Hopefully if you knew you lost something you could track it down before it notifies the person. But Airtags also don't keep a history of location for safety measures as well. Hopefully that response helps lol!

[@sudev]

When can we expect it to launch in the India

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Short answer is we do not know for sure. But probably in next couple of months The best info I can find is on April 9 from Rajesh Pandey of Android police who said: "Google has confirmed to Android Authority that the global rollout of the Find My Device network "will be completed over the next couple of months." A more precise timeline would have helped, but still you should expect the enhanced device tracking service to be available in your region by late June 2024." So hopefully this is accurate. We are seeing the trackers released and shipping starting May 27, so perhaps we will see it roll out more starting then, although I am just guessing about that

[@sudev]

@@BBTechBreakdown thanks for the info man Appreciated

[@mrperfection2748]

My friend has an android and AirPods can he track those?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

I think he should be able to do the basic tracking to see the last time they were connected to his device (assuming he has location history for his phone or other device he is connecting to enabled). But I think that working with the new network relies on the manufacturer of the headphones. So very little chance Apple will make their products compatible with androids network

[@harshupadhyaya7263]

I just bought the chipolo point. Doesn't work and use the find my network unfortunately. It literally only shows the last time it connected to my phone similar to your pixel buds, in essence level 1 as per your video - it does now show it's location based on it connecting with other devices via the secure network. It's been sold like it will use the network of a billion devices but it doesn't. I've kept it in a busy street where people walk and it's showing the date and time of last connection with my phone. It doesn't work like its advertised to be (like the airtags). Unfortunately will be returning these, they don't work as i anticipated them to. They claim to share a live location but thing is a dud

[@BBTechBreakdown]

If it's the one compatible with Android's new network it's honestly probably because Google hasn't rolled it out to many people yet. So that large network doesn't really exist yet as they are rolling it out incrementally. It's not clear to me how many people have it yet, but ive heard from a few people that this is the case for them too. Hopefully I get my tracker soon to test Is it the one compatible with Android's new network?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

If it's for.androids new network it will improve with time. Now how long it will be before they roll it out to everyone I'm not entirely sure. Shouldnt be crazy long, especially with these trackers out

[@harshupadhyaya7263]

I'm that case - Fingers crossed on a higher uptake of these devices! Thanks for your video!

[@BBTechBreakdown]

@@harshupadhyaya7263 also, make sure your setting in the Google's find my device app is NOT set to "with network in high traffic areas only". If it is, it will only use the network when you have multiple people in the network around. And default to "level 1" when there aren't multiple devices. If you have it set to "with network in all areas" it should use network even if just one device is nearby.

[@harshupadhyaya7263]

It's been set to "with network in all areas" and not "with network in high-traffic areas only". Been a few days since it detected the device lol. Will give it a few weeks but not convinced yet sadly! Really was (and still) rooting for this!

[@JRWilson242]

Needs to be findable when phones off, like iPhones do.

[@BBTechBreakdown]

The pixel actually is as this network allows offline finding and I'm sure more devices will be supported as time goes on

[@CaptainLEVIasArkhamKnight]

1. Turn off the tablet then try 2. Restore factory settings of tablet, turn it off then try

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Then try what? What part are you referring to?

[@CaptainLEVIasArkhamKnight]

@@BBTechBreakdown try that the app does. Locating a device under different conditions

[@ijamorris]

Is it ideal to use for pets?

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Probably not necessarily ideal, since the dog would have to be within 50 ish feet of others to be able to track. I do know some people do use Airtags for their dogs tho. It could depend on the situation and if you live in a densely populated area on whether or not you think it'd be worth it Not too familiar with other products but I do think they make gps trackers for dogs which could potentially work better, but you'd need to look into it

[@stefw0200]

Sadly you don't mention or discuss the cons. 1st it's again a new method that tries to take over existing ones like the find functions of Samsung or Xiaomi, thus weakening them instead of strengthen the function together. 2nd turning this on means yoyr phone will never turn off completely again, thus waisting battery even when turned off - not good for storing away any (old) device but resulting in an empty LiIo battery which is worst scenario for battery life. 3rd when I last used Google version it was build completely user unfriendly about "being followed" alerts by tags. To make senses there has to be a whitelist of your own or known tags to avoid false alerts So you should upgrade your videos to take this into consideration. I e.g. will not change my Samsung Find function for Google till this is solved by Google

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Please provide any extra info I may be missing because I don't personally own a Samsung or Xiamoi phone 1: there's a couple things to this part - to my knowledge you should still be able to take advantage of both of you have for example a Samsung phone. Does it make you pick one or the other? - Also, Is there any evidence that Google's network effects Xiamoi or Samsung in a way that inhibits their networks from operating how they should? - also, I think what we should want is Google implementing this rather than leaving it all up to each phone manufacturer. Sure those phone manufacturers can implement their own thing, but if you can make the network that much larger by using androids system rather than one phone manufacturer I think that's good. The issue as of now is that Google hasn't fully rolled out the network AND there's still missing features such as UWB (although it seems they are paving the way for that due to APK teardown). So hopefully as googles new network matures, rolls out to everyone, and gets all necessary features then the combined network of all android users would be stronger. And again, people should still be able to use those networks of Samsung and Xiamoi if they choose 2: I dont think this is a legitimate concern. - this technology uses an incredibly low amount of power, hence why such small devices such as Airtags can have battery life up to a year. That is one of the main advantages of this technology. - also if you know you're gonna store it away for that long of a period it's probably best to reset the device anyway 3: Ive never been alerted of an unknown tag following me so can't say much to this. I do know that apple and Google use the same DULT spec, so the technology behind detecting unwanted tags should be the same

[@leighfogg-liedel7839]

Jesus this is terrifying

[@BBTechBreakdown]

What do you find terrifying about the new network?

[@leighfogg-liedel7839]

@@BBTechBreakdown forced integration with hardware and the fact that it's quite literally spyware

[@BBTechBreakdown]

@@leighfogg-liedel7839 it's an opt in network. And for your location history in your account it is encrypted and you can choose how far back to go. Also, as far as your devices for being used in the network for tracking others, your data is encrypted and it cannot be tracked back to you. So if you feel unsafe you aren't required to be part of the network or have location history on. But if you choose to be a part of it there are safeguards that mean it's not just "spyware"

[@breezybre2670]

​@@BBTechBreakdownDo you really believe that wheb you opt out they don't still store your location data? Come on.

[@Koji-Alistair]

​@@breezybre2670Get rid of everything

[@AAKalam]

This app is garbage. In my screen it just show my current device and iemi and name just that. Samsung smart things network is better than this

[@BBTechBreakdown]

@@AAKalam in the current state, yes I would agree that Samsung's network is better and more reliable. Hopefully that changes as Google's network matures, they fix bugs, more people join, and UWB is added.

[@samcopy-8599]

Oh my God how they copy Apple in everything! Wow, how bizarre! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Lol they both copy each other in many things, that's the beauty of competition, forcing others to make better products. Apple copies very many things from android that have been there for years that are very basic features too

[@samcopy-8599]

@@BBTechBreakdown Yes! Many companies copy each other but only ONE sets the trends: APPLE! 1% of iOS are features that already existed on Android! 99% of Android is a copy of iOS! And of those 1% that already existed on Android, Android copied it from macOS, such as Widgets! Layout of product boxes, iOS Layout, macOS Layout, Layout of Apple physical stores, iOS animations, AirDrop, Gestures, App Store, absolutely EVERYTHING, these companies copy from Apple! And if we're going to talk about products that changed the user experience, then don't even talk about it! Do you already use wireless headphones that fit inside a rechargeable case? It's immensely bizarre how much these companies copy Apple!

[@samcopy-8599]

@@BBTechBreakdown Welcome to 2010!

[@Toxicdemon2]

seems pretty useless.... Got the notification on my phone for this "find my" thing.... THX but no thx.

[@BBTechBreakdown]

Yea, the biggest advantages it practically brings are improving tracking for current devices and allowing use of Bluetooth trackers. So if you don't care about tracking your devices or using a Bluetooth trackers then you won't care

[@marlo-ji]

still sucks

[@BBTechBreakdown]

How so?