Google introduces Unknown Tracker Alerts for Android users

Google says it is delaying the broad rollout of its Find My Device function out of concern for personal safety because the industry standard it and Apple have developed isn't nearly ready yet. "User safety and the prevention of unwanted location tracking is a top priority for Android," wrote Erik Kay of Google in a blog post. "At this time, we've decided to delay the Find My Device network rollout until Apple has implemented protections for iOS," the statement reads.

Back at its I/O 2023 keynote, Google disclosed plans to use millions of existing Android devices, compatible peripherals, and a new generation of Bluetooth item trackers to assist in finding your lost electronics. That's because the implementation is quite similar to Apple's Find My network if it sounds similar. Initially, this more extensive Find My Device network was supposed to be introduced over the summer.

Google has now chosen to hold off until iOS from Apple has native unknown tracker alerts. This is something Apple already does for its own AirTags, and ultimately those alerts will also be able to distinguish between trackers that use Google's Find My Device network. But we're not there yet, and it appears like Google wants to delay the release of new trackers until both significant mobile platforms can find them.

The goal stated in Apple and Google's initial joint news release was to "release a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts by the end of 2023 that will then be supported in future versions of iOS and Android." So it's possible that Google's early summer estimate for the larger Find My Device network was too ambitious.

Google has not provided a new launch date for the more robust monitoring network; in the interim, accessory manufacturer Chipolo has already had to postpone the release of its initial compatible trackers.

Speaking of unidentified tracker notifications, Google has announced that starting this month, many Android phones will start alerting users when an unidentified AirTag is found to be traveling with them and has been determined to have separated from its owner. In other words, you should be given a helpful heads-up if someone is attempting to covertly follow your location without your consent. This is a native, system-level prompt that won’t require downloading any separate apps like the one Apple had previously released.

"You can tap the notification to learn more about the tracker and view a map of where the tracker was seen traveling with you," Kay said in the post. You can also select "Play sound," which will cause the tracker to emit a noise to aid in finding it without alerting the owner.

Additionally, if you wish, you can manually search for nearby trackers:

To do this, go to Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts and tap the “Scan Now” button. Your device will take about 10 seconds to complete a manual scan, and then you’ll see a list of trackers that are currently determined to be near you and separated from their owner’s device.

The fact that this new privacy and safety safeguard will be widely accessible for phones running Android 6 and later, which goes all the way back to Marshmallow, is possibly its best feature. This is due to Google Play Services receiving a software upgrade that adds alerts for unknown trackers. Therefore, you should be able to benefit from this new security measure even if your phone isn't receiving significant Android updates any longer.