Google's Find My Device network rolling out in phases for some Pixel users

06:51 pm (IST): Google’s answer to Apple’s Find My network, “Find My Device,” is now live on Android devices in the U.S. and Canada, with more regions coming soon.

12:51 pm (IST): Following the rollout of network settings to some Android users, Google has confirmed the launch date for Find My Device. An email indicates the network will be available “in three days,” suggesting either Sunday, April 7, or more likely, Monday, April 8. This marks nearly a year since its announcement.

Original article (from April 4, 2024) follows:

Fresh reports indicate that Google’s Find My Device network has started rolling out to some Google Pixel users. The FMDN is Google’s answer to Apple’s expansive Find My network, promising to help Android users locate lost or misplaced smartphones, tablets, and potentially other devices.

While the FMDN was initially announced in 2023 with the intention of a wider launch in subsequent months, it’s faced some delays. However, recent reports indicate a subtle shift. Some users running the latest Google Play Services beta (version 24.12.14) are noticing a new “Find your offline devices” option appearing in their device settings.

The rollout was first highlighted by AssembleDebug who took to X to mention that they spotted the new Find My Device settings page without tweaking any flags in the background.

It’s worth pointing out that not all users with Play Services v24.12.14 have got the feature yet. So it’s clear that Google is enabling it via a server side tweak. Interestingly, I spotted one comment under the post from a user who claimed they got the feature a while back, but don’t see it in the settings page:

The FMDN settings page allows granular control over how the FMDN functions. Users can enable the ability to find devices without a network connection, limit tracking to high-traffic areas, or allow constant tracking powered by the network. The feature is even opt-out for those who prefer to keep things private.

While the settings page is appearing for some beta testers, a crucial element seems to be missing. Users haven’t yet received the introductory notification that formally invites them to opt into the Find My Device Network. This suggests that while Google is getting the technology ready, the official launch with widespread availability may still be some time away.

Initial speculation pointed towards a wider rollout with Android 15. So we’ll have to wait and see what Google has in store. The gradual rollout of Google’s Find My Device Network is an encouraging sign for Android users. The FMDN promises to provide a much-needed safety net for devices that go missing, potentially saving users significant hassle and expense. As the rollout continues to gain momentum, we can expect Google to further refine the feature and potentially integrate it more deeply with the Android ecosystem.

That said, let us know if you’ve got the feature on your smartphone in the comments section below.

Featured image credits: Mishaal Rahman / X