Android will let you find unknown Bluetooth trackers instead of just warning you about them

coming It’s made it easier to find your bag or keys when they’re lost, but it’s also put inconspicuous trackers in the hands of people who might misuse them. Apple and Google have it To notify you if there is an unknown Bluetooth tracker near you, right now Google allows Android users to locate these trackers as well.

This feature is one of two new tools that Google is adding to Find My Device-compatible trackers. The first, “Pause Location” is what you are supposed to enable when you first receive an unknown tracking notification. It prevents your phone from updating its location using trackers for 24 hours. The second, “Find Nearby,” helps you locate the tracker if you can’t easily see or hear it.

By clicking on an unknown tracker notification, you will be able to see a map of where the tracker was last seen moving with you. From there, you can play a sound to see if you can locate it (Google says the owner won’t be notified). If you can’t find it, Find Nearby will connect your phone to the tracker via Bluetooth and display a shape that fills in as you get closer to it.

The tool is identical to what Google offers for locating trackers and devices you already own, but more importantly, you don’t need to use Find My Device or have a tracker of your own to benefit. Like Google Any device running Android 6.0 and above can safely handle unknown Bluetooth trackers.

Expanding Find Nearby appears to be the latest step Google needs to take to curb Bluetooth tracker abuse, something Apple is already doing with For pneumatic signs. The companies released a common standard for detecting unknown Bluetooth trackers regardless of whether you’re using Android or iOS in May 2024, after Google launched In April. Both Google and Apple have offered their own approaches to previously unknown trackers to prevent trackers from being used for everything. to .