Google Find My Device: How to Disable Offline Tracking

The Find My Device network from Google is incredible tech that can help users locate their devices even when they are turned off. However, those who want to disable offline tracking may do so.

Despite turning this off, users may still track their lost or stolen Pixel smartphones when it is turned on, ensuring that their devices still have a layer of safety.

A promise made by Google centers on privacy and security for users when using this feature, claiming that location is encrypted from device to device when opting in.

Google Find My Device: How to Disable Offline Tracking

Google's Find My Device is promising a better-than-ever experience now that it introduced offline tracking, but it may not be a feature for all as some would like to have complete and utter privacy with their usage.

That being said, there are ways to disable or opt out of the offline tracking feature available on the Pixel and other Android devices.

According to 9to5 Google, the Mountain View company has released a new update to Find My Device, allowing users to disable offline tracking whenever they want.

Users only have to go to the Find My Device app and choose their Profile Picture. Next, go to Settings and choose 'Find your offline device.'

Here, they may choose to fully or partially disable it with the two options, Off or Without network.

Google's Find My Device Offline Tracking Options

Choosing the Off option would completely disable offline tracking for Find My Device and would not track the offline smartphone.

On the other hand, without the network, location data would be stored locally, and it would reveal where the device was when it still had power. Both options allow users to opt-out entirely of the Find My Device Network.

Google's Find My Device

Google's Find My Device is not a new feature for its smartphones. The company first introduced it in 2013, centering on a feature to locate Android devices when they are lost.

However, an important development that expanded more of its Find My Device network started around 2021, with reports claiming that an upgrade is coming for the security feature.

Three years later, Google's Find My Device received a massive upgrade that allows users to track their lost or stolen devices offline, whether they are turned off or have run out of battery charge.

It was reported that Google worked with Apple to develop this feature, so it took them a long time to focus on avoiding using the feature against the owners for malicious tracking.

The work put in by Google, with help from Apple, is now offering what they claim to be a trustworthy and secure technology that could help locate a device even in dire situations.

However, options are available for those not interested in using the offline tracking feature: disable it, opt-out, or entirely rely on online tracking for their Pixel phones.