Google Lets Users Temporarily Pause Location Updates to Improve Unwanted Bluetooth Tracker Detection

You can also use the Find Nearby feature to pinpoint the location of an unwanted Bluetooth tracker detected by your smartphone.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 12 December 2024 14:42 IST

Google Lets Users Temporarily Pause Location Updates to Improve Unwanted Bluetooth Tracker Detection

Photo Credit: Google

Google's Find My Device network was launched earlier this year

Highlights

Users can now pause location updates temporarily on Android
This feature has been added to protect users from unknown trackers
Google says that users can also use a Scan Nearby feature to detect tags

Google has updated its unknown tracker alerts safety feature for Android smartphones with additional capabilities that allow a user to identify the location of a hidden tracker and disable it. The company will let users "pause" location updates from their smartphone for a while, protecting their privacy when an unknown tracker is detected. Meanwhile, users will be able to find a hidden tag that is compatible with the company's Find My Device network, using a feature available on Android smartphones.

Google Lets Users Prevent Unknown Tags From Accessing Their Location

The company announced the rollout of a new feature called Temporarily Pause Location, explaining that it will allow users to temporarily pause location updates in order to protect their privacy from an unwanted Bluetooth tracker. Doing so will prevent the smartphone from updating its location on the Find My Device network, for up to 24 hours.

Google says that users can take action against an unknown Bluetooth tracker after it is detected, after locating it. This can include disabling the tracker (typically by removing the battery, which will stop it from functioning) or simply discarding it. This is a useful feature that can help users stay safe from Bluetooth-enabled tags that can be used for stalking or monitoring.

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In order to detect an unknown tracker near them, Google says that users can access the Find Nearby feature on their Android smartphone. This feature has been introduced in order to guide users towards a hidden tag, once their handset has detected it.

While these feature appear to be rolling out to users, can already perform a manual scan for trackers near them that are separated from their owner. This option is available via the Unknown tracker alerts section via Settings > Safety & Emergency > Unknown tracker alerts on most phones, and Google says that it does not save the results of manual scans performed by users.

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Further reading: Google Find My Device, Bluetooth Trackers, Unknown tracker alerts, Google

David Delima

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As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More