Next-Gen Android Setup: Google’s New Find Hub Option Aims for AirTag-Level Tracking

Android users who’ve envied the precision of Apple’s AirTag network for locating lost items might soon see a significant improvement in Google’s own device tracking capabilities. Google is rolling out a crucial update to its Find Hub network, previously known as Find My Device, designed to enhance its accuracy and reach.

For a long time, Google’s Find Hub has been less robust than its Apple counterpart, primarily due to default privacy settings that restricted device location to only “busy areas.” While well-intentioned for privacy, this often made it challenging to pinpoint devices in less populated settings. Now, Google is preparing to introduce a simple yet powerful change during the initial Android setup process that could revolutionize how users find their lost phones and accessories.

Integrated with Play Services version 25.24, a new screen will appear when setting up a new Android device or after a factory reset. This screen, titled “Find your device and help others too,” will present users with two clear choices: “Findable everywhere” or “Findable in busy places only.” While the more private “busy places only” will remain the default, the clearer phrasing and prominent placement during setup are expected to encourage more users to opt for the “Findable everywhere” option.

By encouraging broader participation in the “Findable everywhere” mode, Google aims to significantly bolster the density and effectiveness of its Find Hub network. Like Apple’s system, Find Hub relies on nearby Android phones anonymously reporting the Bluetooth LE signals of lost devices. A larger network of participating devices means more accurate and reliable location data, making it easier to track down everything from misplaced phones to compatible Bluetooth trackers and earbuds.

This strategic move is a direct response to the need for a more competitive and user-friendly device-finding solution on Android. Google assures users that all location data collected through the network is anonymized and encrypted, addressing potential privacy concerns. Furthermore, the option to completely disable Find Hub will remain accessible within the device’s system settings.

While this new setup screen will only appear for new or newly reset devices, its gradual adoption is expected to collectively elevate the performance of Google’s Find Hub network, making lost Android devices and accessories far easier to recover in the near future.

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