Samsung is updating its Find My Mobile app to help track down lost smartphones, even when they aren’t connected to a Wi-Fi or mobile data network.
The update brings an ‘Offline finding’ feature, which leverages the millions of Galaxy devices out there in the wild in order to track down missing handsets. Samsung’s update, which was spotted by Max Winebach of XDA Developers (via The Verge), works much the same way as the Tile trackers when out of usual Bluetooth range.
When the app cannot track down the handset through an online connection, it’ll consult the network of Galaxy devices to see if one of them can track it down. It’s not clear how, but it’s likely to use the devices’ unique Bluetooth signatures.
Looks like Samsung just added offline finding to Samsung's Find My Mobile.
Let's you track your phone even if it doesn't have WiFi or cellular by using other Galaxy users. pic.twitter.com/psLl1rcb4X
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) August 22, 2020
Those turning on the feature will also ensure Galaxy owners can participate and help other Galaxy users find their own lost phones. Galaxy device owners are being alerted to the update via a push notification. Users will be able to encrypt their location if they’re concerned about privacy.
An update to the app reads, shown in a screenshot published by Winebach: “This will allow your phone to be found by other people’s Galaxy devices when it’s not connected to a network. It will allow your phone to be used to scan for lost Galaxy devices that may be nearby. You an also find watches and ears if this was the last device they connected to.”
The company is yet to announce the feature via its official channels, but it’s already out there for users like Weinbach, who doesn’t mention using beta or advance software in his tweet. It’s also unclear whether the update is coming to all recent Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Do you think this is a good addition to the Galaxy stable? Let us know in the comments @trustedreviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.