Lost your phone? Google's "Find My Device" now lets you track it using real-time location sharing from your family and friends. A convenient way to get your phone back.
 |
| Google’s enhanced "Find My Device" app allows you to track your lost phone by viewing the shared location of your contacts, providing a quick and easy solution. Image: Collected |
Tech Desk – March 31, 2025:
Smartphones have become essential in our daily lives, and losing one can create an overwhelming sense of panic. Whether you misplace your phone at home or it goes missing while traveling, finding it quickly is crucial. Luckily, Google has made it easier to locate your lost phone with its updated Find My Device feature, which now includes a location-sharing function from your contacts.
New Feature: Track Your Lost Phone with Shared Locations
Google’s latest update to Find My Device, rolling out since March 2025, now allows users to track their lost devices by leveraging the real-time location data of friends or family members. This feature is a huge upgrade for Android users, extending beyond Google Pixel devices to most smartphones running Android OS.
How It Works
The new feature adds a “People” tab at the bottom of the Find My Device app. In this tab, users can view which of their contacts are sharing their live location through Google apps. If your phone is missing, you can see the location of your contacts in real-time, which may help you locate your device. This functionality is similar to the live location feature seen in apps like WhatsApp, but now directly integrated into the Find My Device ecosystem.
Additionally, users have control over how long they want to share their location, offering enhanced privacy and flexibility.
Using the Feature
To use the updated Find My Device feature, simply ask family or friends to share their location with you via Google’s network. Once shared, their location will appear on a map in the Find My Device app, allowing you to track your lost phone if you are nearby.
This improvement makes tracking your phone much more accessible, especially if you’re in a rush or can’t remember where you last saw it. Rather than scrambling for hours, you can rely on the power of Google’s location-sharing technology to quickly find your device.
The integration of location sharing adds a layer of convenience and peace of mind for Android users. Next time your phone goes missing, don’t panic—open Find My Device and start tracking with the help of your contacts. It’s a quick, secure, and smart way to ensure your phone is back in your hands.