Future Androids could be findable even powered off, just like iPhones
Find my Galaxy or Pixel even after entropy has kicked in
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Future Android phones runningAndroid 14and later could work together to make devices easier to find, even when the devices are turned off. CurrentiPhone 14and older iPhones dating back to theiPhone 11can already perform the same function, butGoogleis baking the feature into an upcoming Android upgrade and hoping for wider support from phone makers.
There are a number of ways a phone can remain findable even when the device is technically powered off. Google’s model, according to tipsters who leaked the news to91Mobiles, will keep sending power to the phone’s Bluetooth module after you’ve shut down. The Bluetooth feature can broadcast a variety of data to nearby devices, including location data and personal identifiers.
All modern iPhones and some of thebest Androidphones also have ultra wideband radio (UWB) for location. This is the techAppleuses in itsAirTags, and it works wonderfully. Google is rumored to be working on a UWB locator tag as well, perhaps to launch with its next Pixel phones.
Samsungincludes UWB in theGalaxy S23 PlusandS23 Ultra, but not the base modelGalaxy S23. Samsung tags are inexplicably pricier than Apple’s AirTags and the battery doesn’t last as long, but you need to use UWB locators that are compatible with the phone you own, so that’s your only option if you have a nicer Galaxy.
Finding a way to find a phone
Google could presumably also use the UWB feature for location even when the phone is turned off, as it is designed to draw minimal power for battery-enabled tags. The 91Mobiles leak suggests that Google will brand this feature Pixel Power-Off Finder, which is quite a mouthful. Whatever it’s called, it will be nice to have this working.
The best way for phones to be discoverable using Bluetooth is when devices can talk to each other, which is why Google is encouraging phone makers to adopt a power-off Bluetooth module in upcoming devices. The code for this leak was apparently spotted in an early build of Android 14 that is being sent to manufacturers for future development. It’s therefore not clear if any current devices on the market can support this feature, including Google’s ownPixel 7family.
Both Apple and Samsung offer extended warranty plans (at least in the US) that include accidental theft and loss protection. For the iPhone, at least, you need to make sure theFind My iPhonefeature has been turned on, or else your lost iPhone will not qualify for a claim.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
The fine print for Samsung’s similar warranty doesn’t seem to have any such requirement, though that will likely change if Samsung and other manufacturers adopt Google’s new power-off plan.
Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.
Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.
We might have our first look at the long-rumored Samsung tri-fold
A newly reported iPhone phenomenon could be bad news for both cops and robbers
Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time
