Insights Everyday Tech
Android can now warn you when you leave a tracker behind
The short version
Google has started rolling out a "Notify when left behind" setting in Find Hub, its app for locating tracked items. It sends an alert if you get far from a tracker. It seems to be live in the US and parts of Europe, and support is limited for now.
What happened
To turn it on, open the Find Hub app, pick a tracker from your list and tap the settings gear. A new switch lets you enable the alert for that one tracker.
You will not get an alert if the tracker is at the Home address saved in Google Maps. ZDNET reports that for now the home address is the only place the feature treats as safe.
It seems to work across brands. 9to5Google accessed it with Moto and Chipolo trackers. ZDNET found that its Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 do not have it yet.
Why it matters to you
An alert on your phone gives you a chance to go back before you get too far or board a plane. Apple and Samsung users have had similar alerts for some time.
Because only your home is treated as safe, you may get alerts whenever you leave a tracker anywhere else. Availability outside the US and parts of Europe is not confirmed.
What to do
If you own a compatible Bluetooth tracker, open Find Hub and check whether the switch has appeared. It has only started rolling out, so it may not have reached you yet.
Make sure your home address is set in Google Maps, and expect extra alerts when you are elsewhere.
Sources
- Google's Find Hub can finally notify you if you've left a tracker behind Engadget (opens in a new tab)
- Google Find Hub rolls out 'Notify when left behind' tracker alerts on Android 9to5Google (opens in a new tab)
- Android is getting my favorite iOS tracking feature – what to expect ZDNET (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
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