Finding a lost Android smartphone even when it is turned off could soon become a reality. Indeed, Google could very soon introduce in its Google Locate my Device application the possibility of locating an off-terminal thanks to a mesh network system generated by other Android devices. A feature reminiscent of what Apple introduced a few years ago, which allows all its devices to be located even if they have been turned off on purpose.
A mesh network for tracking devices Android even when switched off
The fact that Google, like Apple, is working on a mesh network to locate Android smartphones is not new. Almost two years ago, several lines of code found in Google Services installation files indicated that the company was working on the issue.
More recently, last December, Google’s system release notes indicated that the Find My Device app now supports “a new privacy-focused framework.” This gives the Find My Device app compatibility “with encrypted last known location reports for Android devices”. So many clues that could be interpreted as the beginnings of deploying a mesh network of Android devices.
Things seem to be growing together now. According to Indian media 91Mobiles, relayed by Android Police, a leaker discovered a rather interesting line of code in Android 14’s code: “hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder”. This suggests that devices running the operating system can keep the Bluetooth chip active even when turned off. Thanks to this feature, which would be called Pixel Power-off Finder on Google devices, Mountain View could, like Apple has done with its devices, create a gigantic mesh network of millions of terminals running Android.
However, one question remains unanswered. Will Google’s mesh network work and be usable on the billions of devices already in circulation? Or will it be limited to newer devices equipped with chips specifically compatible with this feature? It will probably take a little more patience to get to the bottom of it. Google could still provide the answer very soon, however, such as during its annual Google I/O conference taking place on May 10 in Mountain View.