Last year, Google and Apple announced they were teaming up to fight unwanted tracking through AirTags and other trackers, working on a purpose-built specification. Then, a few months later, Google introduced an unwanted tracker warning to devices running Android 6.0 and later, and also stopped broadcasting its “Find My Device” network until Apple implemented similar protections for unwanted tracking on iOS.
It’s taken a very, very long time, but now we’re finally almost there. Google has sent an email to some Android users notifying them that the long-awaited Find My Device network will be rolling out in a few days.
The email specifically says “in three days”, which means it will be released this Sunday, or more likely next Monday, April 8th. Google says in an email:
With the new Find My Device network, you’ll be able to locate your devices even when they’re offline. You can also find any compatible Fast Pair accessories when they are disconnected from your device. This includes compatible headphones and earphones and trackers that you can attach to your wallet, keys or bike. You will receive a notification on your Android devices when this feature is active for 3 days. Until then, you can log out using Find My Device on the web.
You can opt out of tracking network capabilities early by switching this link, which is also shared in the aforementioned email – but this only works if you’ve received such an email from Google yourself. Note that when you select a setting (or leave the default Find My Device with Find My Network option enabled or disabled), it applies to all Android devices linked to that particular Google account.
If you’re wondering what this rather impromptu release could be, it looks like iOS 17.5 is finally adding the required unwanted tracking protections that were first discussed with Google in 2023. Google’s launch timeline makes us believe that iOS 17.5 will be released next. It’s Monday, and so all the pieces of the puzzle are pretty much in place.