Google wants to improve the usability of the "Find Hub" tracking network, which competes with Apple’s "Find My" network. The company is adding a page to the Android setup process to activate "Find Hub" – by default, with the option that a single sighting by a device already enables tracking.

This was noticed by Android Authority. The Google tracking network, initially operating under "Find My Device", launched in Germany about a year and a half ago. Google focused on special data protection. By default, the option to have the Android smartphone "Participate in network only in busy locations" was pre-selected. Google only discloses location information for devices if it has been reported by multiple devices. For example, lost devices can be quickly found at airports or hotels – but lost devices in more remote areas only later or not at all.

This default setting therefore prevents lost items or Bluetooth trackers from being found in various areas. Furthermore, the "Find Hub" function is not activated by default. Many users may not have turned on the function despite the notification a year and a half ago. In addition, the descriptions were previously quite long and could therefore be off-putting.

Part of the Setup Wizard

With an updated Android setup wizard, Google is now addressing these problems. A screen within it prompts users to activate "Find Hub" on their device. The page in the wizard essentially says "Find your device and help others too." The text explains more simply than before: "The Hub network collects locations from billions of Android devices, including yours, to find lost items like phones and tags."

Instead of four options, interested parties are now presented with only two. "Findable everywhere" with the description "The network helps find items in remote and busy areas, even if your device is the only one that detects an item" and "Findable only in busy locations" with the description "The network works in busy locations when multiple devices detect an item nearby. This can make it difficult to find items in remote areas."

The simplified names and explanations, as well as their inclusion in the setup wizard, could lead to the function being activated on more devices. According to Android Authority, a user encountered the new page while setting up a Google Pixel 10 last weekend. "Findable everywhere" was pre-selected as the option. The change is apparently being rolled out gradually, not everyone is seeing the page on their Pixel 10 or 10s; others reported that "Findable only in busy locations" was active as the default selection.

The integration into the setup process is likely to provide another boost in distribution, so that Google’s "Find Hub" will be noticeably improved. In May, Google renamed the "Find My Device" network to "Find Hub". With this, the manufacturer wants to expand the range of partner companies, but also the type of products that can be found. In addition, satellite communication is being integrated into the Hub.

(dmk)

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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.