Google offers Find Hub network to track lost or misplaced Android devices, accessories, and other tagged items. However, the Find Hub network from Google is not as reliable as its competitors. Google is now working on subtle change to the setup process in order to make it more dependable.
For those who are unknown, the Google’s Find Hub was earlier known as ‘Find My Device’ service. It locates items through two ways: either the device reporting its own location or another nearby device in the network that reports it. When it comes to smartphones/ tablets, they can share their own location provided they have Internet connection. On the other hand, the users have to rely on crowd-sourced network if they are offline.
According to tests conducted by Android Authority, the Google Find Hub is less reliable than Apple or Samsung’s tracking networks. All three crowdsource location data in similar patterns but there is a difference when it comes to Google.
In a default setting, Find Hub does not report location of lost item if a single device passes by it. The network needs multiple nearby devices to confirm a location before reporting it. Even though this measure is helpful in tracking items in high-traffic areas like airports or shopping centres, it is less reliable in less populated areas.
Google is now asking users to change the settings within the Find Hub app. As majority of Android users rarely change the default settings, they are likely to use less effective setting.
The “Google System Services Release Notes” page mentions that the company is rolling out an update to Google Play Services through version 25.24. Android Authority managed to explore the settings and found it. The page titled “Find your device and help others too,” mentions that “the Find Hub network crowd sources locations from billions of Android devices in order to find lost items.” The two network options are available with two options- Findable everywhere, Findable in busy places only. There is a ‘learn more’ button at the bottom of the page and it opens a dialog to help users make a more informed choice. The dialog mentions that ‘finding in busy places only’ option offers additional privacy protection in remote areas.
