In a recent update, the well-known Android feature “Find My Device” has undergone a significant enhancement in functionality on Google’s latest smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
According to official documentation, this update now allows users to track the location of these devices even when they are turned off or completely drained of power.
Users can manually activate this feature on supported devices by navigating to Android – Google settings – all services – find a device. The tracking will only function for a few hours post shutdown, whether intentional or due to battery depletion.
Activating this feature may alter the device’s behavior when powering off, temporarily maintaining network activity to facilitate tracking. This added functionality proves crucial in cases of theft, allowing users to track their device even if the culprit switches it off.
This feature also proves valuable for instances where a lost device runs out of battery. Users are advised to act quickly to locate the device while it still maintains network connectivity.
For this function to work correctly, the device must have Bluetooth and GPS options active at the time of shutdown. Unlike Bluetooth, the location settings on Pixel devices cannot be disabled without unlocking the device first.
Despite the benefits, critics warn of privacy concerns due to the constant activity of Bluetooth and GPS post-shutdown. However, the activation of this feature