Android’s AirTag competitor gears up for launch

The Android ecosystem was eagerly anticipating its own version of Apple’s AirTags, designed to help users track their belongings. Google had already established a crowd-sourced device-tracking network, lying dormant on 3 billion Android phones since December 2022. Partners had even prepared Bluetooth tag hardware, ready to roll out since May 2023. However, despite these preparations, the launch remained elusive, leaving users wondering about the delay.

The reason behind Google’s prolonged wait was none other than Apple. Just before Google’s partners announced their Android network Bluetooth tags, both tech giants jointly introduced a standard to detect “unknown” Bluetooth trackers. This standard would alert users if their phone suspected they were being tracked. The concern arose because AirTags, with their constant location visibility, could potentially be misused for stalking—by surreptitiously placing them in bags or cars.

Google played its part in this partnership by rolling out AirTag detection in July 2023. Simultaneously, Google made a crucial decision: “We’ve postponed the rollout of the Find My Device network until Apple implements protections for iOS.” Clearly, Google wanted to ensure a level playing field before competing with AirTags.

Google’s patience seems to be paying off. The first beta of iOS 17.5 has been released to testers, and intriguingly, it includes strings for detecting “unwanted” non-Apple tracking devices that might be tailing you. If all goes as planned, this update should ship sometime in May—11 months after Google’s initial release.

Similar to AirTags and the Tile network, Google’s project aims to enable small Bluetooth tracking tags that help users locate their belongings. These tags operate on super low power and can last up to a year on a small battery. While they lack the power for GPS, they cleverly “borrow” the GPS chip from compatible smartphones within range. When your phone detects any Bluetooth tags (even ones you don’t own), it notes their approximate location and anonymously uploads it to the cloud. This collaborative effort creates a worldwide, crowdsourced thing-tracking network.