According to the new report, the latest version of Google Play Services contains strings for “Unfamiliar device alerts” and “Unfamiliar Tag Detected Notification”. This feature would scan for nearby Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) smart trackers such as Tile tags, Apple AirTags, and Samsung SmartTags. If found, users will receive a notification about it on their Android device. Users might then be able to ring the detected tracker. The strings, however, don’t make it clear whether this feature will proactively look for trackers that are moving with you or if it needs manual scanning. Both Tile and Apple offer the ability to detect unwanted trackers on their Android apps but you need to manually scan for them. Apple’s iOS app though automatically detects nearby AirTags. It would be nice if Google also made this possible on Android. But even if requires manual scanning, the company baking this feature directly into Android eliminates the need for a separate app. Currently, you need a separate app for each brand. The strings suggest Android devices would be able to detect three types of trackers, at least as of now — ATag, Finger tag, and Tile tag. The former could be Apple’s AirTags while the “Tile tag” name is self-descriptive. It’s unclear what Google is referring to with the “Finder tag” though. We should find out soon.
Google is developing a Bluetooth tracker detection feature for Android
The popularity of smart trackers is growing rapidly across the world. While these tiny devices make it incredibly convenient to find lost items, crooks are using them for evil purposes. Since these trackers can tell their precise location, they are being used as a stalking tool. To tackle this issue, Apple last year introduced the “Tracker Detect” app. Tile also recently added a similar feature to its app. While they have their limitations, they do let you find unwanted trackers nearby. Google is now seemingly developing a Bluetooth tracker detection feature for Android. Hopefully, Apple and other brands also come on board and make an interoperable solution that can find trackers from any brand. We will be keeping a close eye on this development and keep you posted accordingly.
