Android: the "Locate my device" app is enriched by a person's monitoring function

Lost your smartphone? Misplaced your keys? What if you could also find your friends? Google's "Find My Device" app has been revamped and is enriched with an unexpected feature.

Google has just rolled out a major update to its "Find My Device" app for Android, adding a location sharing feature between users. This evolution transforms the tool, initially designed to find lost devices, into a complete tracking platform, encompassing both both objects and people.

This new feature, announced earlier this month, is gradually being rolled out to Android users. It marks an important step in Google's strategy to compete directly with similar services, including Apple's "Find My" feature.

Also read – Find My Device will alert you if someone is tracking you, here's how

An all-in-one location tool

The application's interface has been completely redesigned to integrate this new feature :

• Two main tabs: "Devices" and "People"
• In the "People" tab, two subcategories: "Sharing with you" and "You share with"
• An interactive map displaying the real-time position of contacts sharing their location
• Flexible sharing options: 1 hour, 24 hours, custom duration, or indefinite

Location sharing is done via a link, giving the user full control, who can stop sharing at any time. This feature This feature isn't entirely new to Google, which already offered a similar option in Google Maps. However, its integration with Find My Device now centralizes all location-related functions into a single app.

The addition of people tracking builds on the extensive Find My Device network launched last year. This network uses over a billion Android devices and Bluetooth technology to locate devices even when they're offline or turned off.

By merging device and people tracking, Google is simplifying the user experience and enhancing the usefulness of its app. While convenient, this development raises questions about privacy and the security of location data. Google assures that location sharing remains under the user's full control, with limited duration options and the ability to revoke access at any time.