TL; DR
- Google's Find My Device network can continue to track a disabled Pixel 8 for “several hours.”
- Users should ensure that Bluetooth and Location are enabled before turning off the device.
- The feature is said to work thanks to 'specialized Pixel hardware'.
Google has been updated Find my device network can help you locate your lost devices including your phone. And it looks like the feature will continue to work even after your phone is turned off if you have a Pixel 8 series phone.
While setting up the Find My Device network on the Pixel 8, people stopped by 9to5Google discovered something interesting about the service. The outlet received a notification that said, “If this phone is out of battery or turned off, the Find My Device network can locate it for several hours.”
It appears this capability is only available for Pixel phones due to “specialized Pixel hardware.” However, Google is reportedly working on bringing the feature to other OEMs and chipmakers.
For this feature to work, you must enable 'With network only in high traffic areas', 'With network in all areas' or 'Low traffic areas' in the FMD settings. Additionally, you must also have Bluetooth and Location turned on before the device turns off. Google told the outlet that the capability was active in April, but did not say which version is required.
It's been a month since the updated Find My Device network launched in the US and Canada. The update made it possible for the network to use Bluetooth proximity tracking, making it as capable and useful as Apple's Find My network.