Google has just added a new function to Android devices, which allows you to locate your loved ones in real time on the screen of your phone or tablet. Ideal to follow your children live live or your parents!
So far, position sharing on Android has been mainly managed via Google Maps. A function that does not flow from a source. In order to offer a clearer and unified solution, the company has decided to allow users to find their devices and their loved ones from a single application.
In April 2024, Google had finally deployed its network “Locate my device” (Find My Device) to compete with Apple. It aims, as its name suggests, to help users better locate their devices by ringing them or by displaying their position on a card in the application of the same name, even if they are offline. But it was used so far only to find phones, tablets, connected watches and other accessories related to a Google account, a new update changes the situation.
Indeed, a new “people” tab appears, allowing to display the position of your loved ones on an interactive map. With this update deployed on March 13, the tool interface was completely overhauled. Previously, by launching the application, you access a list of devices in your possession (phones, tablets, connected watches, headphones, etc.). From now on, the screen is split in two: a card on the upper part and the list of your devices in the lower part.
You will find two tabs at the bottom of the screen: “devices” and “beta”. By pressing the latter, you land on two sections: “You share with it”, which is a list of contacts with whom you share your position, and “Share with you”, which lists the people who allow you to see their location. A floating button also allows you to quickly share your position in real time. Note that it is possible to define a limited duration for this sharing (one hour, the whole day, until deactivation or for a personalized period).
When a contact is selected, the application displays several useful information: its current location on the card, the battery level of your phone, the time for the last update of its position and an option to obtain a route to its position. You can, by pressing the three small points next to the name of a loved one, update your position on the card, hide it or block it.
This function is already available through the last update of the “Locate my device” application. Just install the app or download the update to take advantage of it.