Google appears set to equip its Find My Device network with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, a move that could finally bring precise, short-range item locating to the Android ecosystem, mirroring capabilities Apple users have had for years.
According to Digital Trends, Google expects to reveal more about UWB integration “very soon.” This potential enhancement targets a noticeable gap in the network which, since its global rollout in 2024, has sometimes struggled with pinpoint accuracy compared to rivals.
UWB, a short-range radio protocol distinct from Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi, allows for highly accurate distance and direction measurements, potentially down to the centimeter level. This makes it particularly useful for pinpointing an item’s exact location when nearby.
Apple incorporated UWB starting with the iPhone 11 series and utilizes it in its AirTag trackers for the graphical “Precision Finding” feature, guiding users directly to misplaced items. A similar function on Android would be a considerable upgrade, though hardware adoption varies – even Google’s own mainline Pixel 9 reportedly lacks the UWB chip needed for such features.
Network Performance and Privacy Design
Launched after delays related to implementing cross-platform safety features, Google’s Find My Device network operates differently from Apple’s by default. It leverages Bluetooth signals from a vast collective of participating Android devices (version 9 and up) to crowdsource the location of lost phones, tablets, and compatible trackers.
The network prioritizes user privacy by typically aggregating location pings from multiple nearby Android phones before showing an estimated area, rather than relying on a single device’s report. This protects the anonymity of bystanders whose phones help locate a device but can result in slower updates or less precise location circles, especially for moving items or in sparsely populated areas.
While the network has improved since launch, this design choice creates trade-offs. In good conditions (busy areas, stationary tracker), its performance can approach Apple’s or Tile’s, but it lags in trickier scenarios.
Google product manager Angela Hsiao characterized this to The Verge as intentional, stating the network “is intentionally designed with a balance that prioritizes safety over continuous, real-time tracking capabilities.” While an optional “all areas” setting allows individual phone reporting more like Apple’s system, its non-default status may limit its impact.
It’s also worth noting that Google already uses device-specific hardware for enhanced tracking in some cases; Pixel 8 and 8 Pro phones can be located by the network even when off, thanks to specialized internal components.
Hardware Readiness and Tracker Options
The addition of UWB depends on hardware support in both phones and the trackers themselves. While its inclusion in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC may spur adoption in future Android flagships, current phone support is inconsistent.
On the accessory side, Motorola’s Moto Tag was the first tracker announced with UWB hardware explicitly for Google’s network. However, its UWB features remain unusable until Google activates network support. Meanwhile, trackers available since the network’s early days from brands like Pebblebee and Chipolo rely solely on Bluetooth for network finding.
They do, however, often possess louder speakers than AirTags, which can be helpful for audio-based location once nearby. Ongoing development within the Find My Device app, revealed through code analysis in September 2024, points towards eventual UWB and possibly AR-guided finding features.
Foundation in Cross-Platform Safety
The network’s evolution builds upon crucial safety measures developed jointly by Google and Apple. Driven by concerns over potential misuse of trackers for stalking, the companies created an industry specification for detecting unwanted location trackers.
This led to the rollout of alerts on both platforms around May 2024, enabling iPhones (iOS 17.5+) and Android devices (6.0+) to notify users if an unknown AirTag or Find My Device-compatible tag seems to be traveling with them. While essential for responsible network deployment, these cross-platform alerts don’t always function reliably in real-world use.
With the underlying safety protocols in place and UWB-capable hardware starting to emerge, Google’s signaling suggests the software update needed to activate precision finding on Android might finally be close, potentially offering users a locating experience on par with Apple’s for nearby items.
