Losing your keys or wallet could soon become a thing of the past. Google is preparing a major update for its Find My Device network on Android, with a powerful claim: ultra-precise location that's four times faster. What if tracking down lost items finally became child's play?
Google continues to expand its Find My Device network, and the next step seems imminent. In an exchange with The Verge, Angela Hsiao, product manager for Android, confirmed the arrival of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology "very soon." Combined with speed gains, this update could finally rival Apple's ecosystem.
UWB, already used by Apple's AirTags, allows for centimeter-level location. Imagine: your Android phone guides you directly behind the couch, and no longer just "somewhere in the house." To take advantage of this, you will need a compatible smartphone, such as the Pixel 9 Pro or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and a tracker equipped with this technology; the Moto Tag is currently the only one available.
UWB and speed: the two pillars of the update
The clues suggesting this deployment were spotted in the application code at the end of April. It remains to be seen whether the official announcement will come at Google I/O, which begins on May 20.
On the performance, Google claims that its network locates objects four times faster than in 2024, thanks to technical optimizations: adjusted duration and frequency of Bluetooth scans, better communication between devices... The Verge's tests show, however, that these advances are most visible in urban areas, where connected devices are numerous. In isolated environments, the results remain variable, depending on the tracker used and the context.
Another development: more and more users are manually activating the "all zones" mode in the privacy settings, abandoning the default option ("high traffic areas"). Google has been encouraging this change via in-app notifications since 2024.
But despite these advances, the Find My Device network has not yet surpassed Apple's. The Verge points out that Google's choice to prioritize privacy partly explains this gap. Proof that the race for connected trackers is far from over...
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