How we built the new Find My Device network with user security and privacy in mind
security.googleblog.com
Posted by Dave Kleidermacher, VP Engineering, Android Security and Privacy Keeping people safe and their data secure and private is a t...

I saw this on infinity for Reddit earlier, I don’t know if there’s a workaround for this or not.

  • LaggyKar
    36•1 month ago

    Where is that mentioned? I can’t find that in the article

    • @Decade4116@awful.systemsCatalà
      23•1 month ago

      I also couldn’t find a mention, and it definitely does not make sense (and likely isn’t even possible) to run Bluetooth without Android itself running

      …which uses a crowdsourced device-locating network to help you find your lost or misplaced devices and belongings quickly – even when they’re offline.

      Maybe this line is being misinterpreted?

      • @ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world
        2•1 month ago

        It’s definitely possible. It may be using specific hardware to do the powered off tasks. Or it never be truly off, a small os running to managing these powered off tasks.

        The second is more likely, it’s cheaper and easier. It can also be applied to older devices and requires less integrated design.

    • Fredrik
      15•1 month ago

      It’s mentioned in the linked article about Find My Device.

      This is what it says

      1. Locate offline devices

      Locate your compatible Android phone and tablet by ringing them or viewing their location on a map in the app — even when they’re offline. And thanks to specialized Pixel hardware, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners will also be able to find their devices if they’re powered off or the battery is dead.

      • @Decade4116@awful.systemsCatalà
        13•1 month ago

        I don’t know that means Bluetooth will be running when the device is off. “Specialized hardware” could mean a full Bluetooth modem on backup power, but more likely it’s means there’s a low power beacon. Would be interesting if anyone does a teardown of the Pixel 8.

        For non-Pixel 8 devices, definitely not. I assume “Offline” refers to the case where your device doesn’t have WiFi/LTE, but can still use Bluetooth to communicate with devices that do.

    • The DoctorEnglish
      3•1 month ago

      That is why we took our time when designing the new Find My Device, which uses a crowdsourced device-locating network to help you find your lost or misplaced devices and belongings quickly – even when they’re offline.

      • LaggyKar
        9•1 month ago

        That doesn’t say that. Although the article linked from there does, for Pixels.

        And thanks to specialized Pixel hardware, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners will also be able to find their devices if they’re powered off or the battery is dead.

          • @YerbaYerba@lemm.ee
            8•1 month ago

            I suspect it still draws battery power, but extremely small amounts. Few mah left in the battery could power a BLE beacon for weeks. There would be some limit to this as draining the lithium battery too deeply will damage it.

          • lemmyvoreEnglish
            5•1 month ago

            Not necessarily, there are lots of completely passive beacon technologies. I seem to remember reading a few years ago about beacons powered by Wifi signals.

            Obviously you also need other phones to be able to pick up those signals so it might take until phones with Android 15 become commonplace which might take a while. But it’s definitely doable.