Google’s innovative Find My Device network, unveiled in April, is a game-changer for smartphone users, enabling them to track their devices even when they’re turned off. Initially rolled out with the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series, this feature is expanding its reach and is expected to debut on OxygenOS 15.
Exciting news for OnePlus enthusiasts: with the latest OxygenOS 15 beta on the OnePlus 12, this remarkable feature can now be accessed. The power menu on the OnePlus 12 shows that it can be tracked via Find My Device even when switched off, thanks to a hardware tweak where power is maintained to the Bluetooth chip, a feature absent in most Android phones.
The Bluetooth chip, when powered, broadcasts data that nearby devices receive and relay back to Google, enabling tracking. This development on the OnePlus 12 with OxygenOS 15 beta hints that similar capabilities will soon be available on the global version of the OnePlus 13. Currently, the OnePlus 13 runs on ColorOS 15 and awaits this potential feature integration.
However, it’s essential to understand that not all older models can fully support this feature. The OnePlus 12 lacks official support for tracking while powered off due to the limitations of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Despite software enhancements provided by OxygenOS 15, the necessary hardware support isn’t in place.
On the flip side, the OnePlus 13, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and equipped with the FastConnect 7900 connectivity subsystem, provides the hardware backbone for powered-off Find My Device tracking. This capability depends on the OEMs’ decision to implement and utilize the functionality offered by Qualcomm’s advancements.
This advancement not only promises enhanced security for device owners but also showcases the rapid pace at which technology evolves, bridging gaps that once seemed insurmountable. As OnePlus gears up to integrate these features further, smartphone users can anticipate a future where losing a device might become a worry of the past.
