Find your phone when it’s turned off

A revolutionary feature may appear in Android 15. Ability to locate lost devices even if they are turned off. Mishal Rahman, a well-known Android developer revealed on Android Police that Google is researching technology to keep Bluetooth controllers partially functional even when the phone is turned off.

Android 15: Find your lost phone even when it’s turned off

This functionality builds on Google’s existing initiative to create a network similar to Apple’s Find My network. This network relies on Bluetooth beacons – short signals transmitted by devices at regular intervals – that nearby devices can pick up. With billions of Android devices worldwide, this network can create a dense and accurate location network.

However, finding a disabled device is a challenge. This is where Google’s innovation comes in. The idea is that these unique and secure identifiers are pre-recorded in the Bluetooth controller’s memory before it is turned off. Even in a disabled state, the controller can continue to transmit these pre-recorded beacons, allowing continuous location tracking.

It is important to note that this feature requires compatible hardware. Current reports suggest that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro could be the first beneficiaries. While the Pixel Fold and older models don’t appear to have this capability, a wider rollout to previous flagships and potentially other devices is likely in the future. The official debut could happen with the upcoming Pixel 9 series, which is expected this fall.

This potential addition to Android 15 marks a significant advance in recovering a lost device. Users can rest easy knowing they can find even switched off phones, ensuring their lost devices can still be found.