Bluetooth trackers have made losing your keys or bag less of a headache, but they've also given people a sneaky way to misuse them. To tackle this, both Apple and Google have introduced alerts to notify you of unknown trackers near you. Now, with a fresh update, Google is taking it a step further by allowing Android users to pinpoint the exact location of those trackers.
Google is rolling out two new tools for its Find My Device network. The first, "Temporarily Pause Location," is meant to be used when you get an unknown tracker notification. You can now pause location updates from your phone for up to 24 hours, preventing any detected unknown tag from using your device's location during that time.
The second, "Find Nearby," is for when you're struggling to spot or hear the tracker, helping you track it down. By tapping on the notification for an unknown tracker, you'll be able to view a map showing where the tracker was last moving with you. From there, you can play a sound to help you locate it (and don't worry, the owner won't be notified). If that doesn't work, the "Find Nearby" feature connects your phone to the tracker via Bluetooth, showing a shape that fills up as you get closer.
Now, when you get such a worrying alert, you will be able to take action. | Image credit – Google
This tool works just like Google's feature for finding trackers and devices you own, but with the added benefit that you don't need your own tracker or to use Find My Device. As with the original notifications feature, any device running Android 6.0 or higher can safely handle unknown Bluetooth trackers.
In my opinion, being able to pinpoint the exact location of an unknown tracker is a solid upgrade to Google's Find My Device network. It definitely boosts security and helps curb the potential misuse of trackers, which, let's be honest, are otherwise pretty handy little tools.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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