Android 15: smartphone thieves will no longer be able to hide

For years, smartphones have been a prime target for thieves. Their portability, high value, and abundance of personal data make them a tempting prize. Google is reportedly looking to launch its Find My Device network, making it possible to find any device. The icing on the cake: it would be possible to find your Android smartphone, even if it is turned off. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro could benefit from this feature.

While we don't expect the arrival of Android 15 before next fall, we already have some details on the new features that this update would bring. The latest: the deployment of Find My Device, but above all the possibility of finding your smartphone, even if it is turned off.

Being able to find your smartphone, even when it’s turned off

Since iOS 15, it is possible to find a lost iPhone (iPhone 11 and later) with the Find My/Locate feature. Samsung also offers its SmartThings Find system, which allows you to find a lost Galaxy smartphone. But Android 15 could go further if Android Police's findings are to be believed. Indeed, Android 15 would arrive with a new API, called Powered Off Finder. We already had clues in Android 14 QPR1: moreover, Google Play services seem to have been preparing for it for several months.

The idea with this API is that it would allow Android smartphones and tablets to continue sending Bluetooth signals even after the system is shut down. Enough to be able to locate them when they are turned off, including when they are discharged. This would still require certain demands on the device's battery: a small reserve will be needed to emit Bluetooth signals. This would also require hardware support to leave Bluetooth enabled. Enough to limit the compatible models.

Also Read: Android Powerhouse vs. Apple Polish: Choosing Between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro could benefit from it, but not only

To activate this functionality, Google must be able to launch its Find My Device network, announced during Google I/O 2023. Since then, there has been no real news on this system: if we are to believe the advances, it would be Apple's fault. We can naturally think that the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, which will likely be launched under Android 15, will benefit from this function. It would be called Pixel Power-off Finder on compatible Pixel smartphones if we are to believe  91Mobiles. Besides, it wouldn't just be the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro that would benefit from it.

According to  Android Authority, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro would have the necessary provisions to take advantage of this “  Powered Off Finder  ”. By extension, the Pixel 8a could also be entitled to it. On the other hand, Series 6, 7, and Fold would not benefit from it, due to a lack of having the necessary hardware. To find out more about Find My Device, see you next May, for Google I/O 2024, where we expect to see the Pixel 8a arrive as well as the first announcements on Android 15.