'Find My Device' for Android Now Lets You Track People

The Android Find My Device app has been updated with a new, user-friendly interface. Now featuring separate "Devices" and "People" tabs, it simplifies location sharing with friends and family, making it easy to coordinate meetups or check on children's safe arrival home.

Available pre-installed on Pixel devices and as a free download for other Android users, the app also offers web access. While an iOS app isn't available, location sharing with iPhone contacts remains possible via Google Maps integration.

This enhanced version builds upon last year's significant update. Previously requiring a powered-on, Wi-Fi-connected device, the improved Find My Device now leverages a vast network of Android devices for secure, anonymous tracking of lost or stolen phones (similar to Apple's Find My Network).

Support for third-party Bluetooth trackers has also been added, and recent Pixel models can even be located when offline. Located devices can be remotely sounded, locked, or wiped to protect user data.

The latest addition is the people-finding feature: trusted contacts can share their locations, and you can reciprocate. This mirrors Google Maps functionality, offering another convenient access point.

Using Find My Device to Locate People

The "People" tab (currently marked "Beta") uses Google Maps for location sharing. Existing Google Maps location sharing contacts will appear on the map. To add a new contact, tap the " " button to share your location, choosing from options like one hour, the entire day, indefinitely, or a custom duration.

Select a contact or generate a shareable link. The recipient sees your phone's location and battery level, with the option to reciprocate location sharing.

This functionality is already present in Google Maps (accessible via your profile picture > Location sharing). This cross-platform compatibility extends location sharing to iPhone users with Google Maps installed.

Within Find My Device, tap a contact to see their location, get directions (via Google Maps), or stop sharing. A three-dot menu allows temporarily hiding contacts from the map.

The web version of Find My Device mirrors the app's "Devices" and "People" tabs, although adding contacts is limited to the mobile app. Users retain full control over location sharing duration and contacts, offering a potentially superior alternative to location sharing within apps like WhatsApp.

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