Google's Find Hub network is unreliable, but this simple change could fix it
Andy Walker / Android Authority
TL;DR Google could improve its Find Hub network by convincing users during device setup to select a more reliable, but less private, tracking option.
This new setup screen rebrands the existing network options to better explain that the default option may be less reliable, while the alternative can find items anywhere.
By getting more people to choose the more effective setting, Google aims to make its network a more dependable alternative to Apple's and Samsung's.
If you're worried about losing an important possession, you can attach a Bluetooth tracker to it and monitor its location using an item tracking network. For Android users, the most convenient option is Google's Find Hub network, as it's built into nearly every Android device. However, the network has a major drawback: it's not as reliable as its competitors. Fortunately, Google is working on a subtle change to the setup process that could make Find Hub far more dependable.
You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else.
Find Hub, formerly Find My Device, helps you pinpoint the location of your devices and contacts. It locates items in one of two ways: either the device reports its own location, or another nearby device in the network reports it. While smartphones and tablets can share their own location when they have an Internet connection, they must rely on the crowd-sourced network when they're offline. The same is true for Bluetooth trackers. In theory, as long as other network participants pass by your lost item, its location will be updated.
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Because billions of devices are on the network, location updates should be frequent. Unfortunately, our testing shows that Google's Find Hub is much less reliable than Apple or even Samsung's item tracking networks. All three crowdsource location data in very similar ways, but Google's network has one key difference.
By default, Find Hub won't report a lost item's location if only a single device passes by it. The network requires multiple nearby devices to confirm a location before reporting it. While this measure helps protect against misuse by stalkers, it also makes the network less reliable for tracking items outside of high-traffic areas like airports or shopping centers.
To fix this, Google could align Find Hub's default setting with Apple and Samsung's networks, but the company is hesitant to force this choice on users. Instead, Google is asking people to change the setting themselves within the Find Hub app. However, most users either don't bother changing defaults or are unaware the option exists, so the vast majority likely remain on the less effective setting.
The current page for selecting Find Hub's network option
Instead of hoping users find and enable Find Hub's more reliable setting, Google is now taking a more proactive approach. According to its 'Google System Services Release Notes' page, the company is rolling out an update to Google Play Services (version 25.24) that prompts users to configure Find Hub during device setup.
While this new setup screen isn't widely available yet, we managed to surface it manually. The page, titled 'Find your device and help others too,' explains that 'the Find Hub network crowdsources locations from billions of Android devices… to help find lost items like phones and tags.' It presents two network options with toggles: Findable everywhere : This is the more reliable option, renamed from the existing 'with network in all areas.'
: This is the more reliable option, renamed from the existing 'with network in all areas.' Findable in busy places only: This is the new name for the default setting, previously called 'with network in high-traffic areas only.'
Functionally, nothing has changed besides the names and descriptions. However, the new names and descriptions could convince more people to select the more reliable option. While the old wording merely implied that the default setting was less effective in remote areas, the new phrasing makes that limitation explicit.
A 'learn more' button at the bottom of the page opens a dialog to help users make a more informed choice. This dialog clarifies that the 'findable in busy places only' option 'provides additional privacy protection in remote areas.'
Ultimately, presenting this choice during setup should boost adoption of Find Hub's more reliable setting, making it a more viable alternative to Samsung's SmartThings Find and Apple's Find My networks.
Alongside this new setup prompt, Google is also preparing to auto-enroll more users in Find Hub. Find Hub currently activates when you add a Google Account, but evidence we uncovered in March suggests this will expand to when a user enables location access. While these newly enrolled users will default to the less reliable setting, their participation will still help grow the network, and they can always switch to the more reliable option on their own.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at
Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Business Upturn
Before The Dates Introduces Scheduled Messaging and Gifting App to Support Relationship Consistency
Before The Dates Logo ORLANDO, Fla., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The team behind Before The Dates has announced the launch of a new time texting app designed to help users maintain consistency in their personal and professional relationships . The app enables users to schedule messages and gifts in advance, ensuring important communications are sent at the right time without manual reminders. Available soon on iOS and Android, the app combines calendar-based scheduling with contact-specific features to support thoughtful engagement and long-term relationship management. Supporting Consistency Through Automated Communication Users of the date reminder app can schedule messages tied to birthdays, anniversaries, client follow-ups, or seasonal greetings. Once a date is entered, the app allows for message composition and future delivery, reducing the need for last-minute check-ins or forgotten milestones. All messages are sent via the user's own phone number to preserve authenticity and personal tone. The platform also includes optional scheduled messaging for professional use, supporting sales teams, consultants, and service providers in automating follow-ups and check-ins. Calendar integration ensures scheduling is aligned with the user's existing commitments. Key Features Scheduled text delivery using receiver's phone number Calendar and contact-based event tracking This feature is not there Custom message templates Secure cloud sync and multi-device support Scheduled gifting tied to specific dates By centralizing these tools, the app allows users to manage time-sensitive communication without relying on memory or scattered notes. Local Vendor Partnerships for Gifting The app also enables scheduled gifting, offering users access to curated selections from local florists, artisan retailers, and specialty food providers. Before The Dates works directly with community vendors to feature region-specific items, helping users send meaningful gifts while supporting small businesses. Designed for Both Personal and Professional Use The platform is intended for busy individuals including parents, entrepreneurs, students, and caregivers who value consistent connection. Users can prepare recurring holiday messages, manage long-distance communication, or automate client retention efforts with minimal effort. About Before The Dates Founded with the goal of improving consistency in personal communication, Before The Dates provides tools to help users stay organized and connected . The team behind the app continues to build features based on feedback from early adopters and focus groups. Future updates will include voice message scheduling, smart reminders, and API integrations for business users. For more information, visit Media Contact:Jennifer NewboldBefore The Dates(386) 564-4441 [email protected]
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
I've Been Testing Routers for Years. This Is the Best Place for Your Mesh System
I won't judge you if you want to hide your mesh router. The truth is, most Wi-Fi routers are pretty ugly. Your first impulse is probably to tuck your router away and hide ugly cords to reduce clutter. But if you've noticed your Wi-Fi struggling in certain rooms, it's worth rethinking your router placement -- even with a mesh system. I've been testing and reviewing router performance for years, and I've found that few things are as critical to Wi-Fi speeds as the location of your router. While a traditional Wi-Fi router sends out a signal from a single point in your home, a mesh system uses multiple devices to emit signals from various points. That makes it more like a team of routers that work together to relay your traffic back to the modem. It's a much better approach to home networking, particularly in large, multistory homes, where a traditional, single-point router will likely leave you with dead zones in rooms that are farthest away. Still, location is everything when setting up your router and satellite extenders, which are also sometimes called nodes (or Points if you use Nest Wi-Fi). Their specific location significantly affects the system's performance. Internet is already expensive, and if you've invested in a mesh router system, you should be getting the speeds you're paying for. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind as you go. (You can also check out our tips on the best location for your Wi-Fi router and how to protect your home Wi-Fi network from hackers.) Where should you place your mesh router? Mesh routers and other Wi-Fi devices perform their best when they're located out in the open, and up off of the ground. Netgear First, you'll want the main router, or the mesh device wired to your modem, to be located as centrally in your home as possible. That's the same approach you'd take with a single router, and the reasoning is the same: Routers put out Wi-Fi signals in all directions, so placing your router in a central location within your home will maximize your connection. Locating local internet providers That goes double for mesh systems, where the strength of the connection near your nodes will largely depend on the strength of the incoming signal from the main router. A stronger connection between the two will help ensure you're getting the fastest Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home. Your options for moving the router might seem limited by the location of your modem and the incoming wiring for your home's internet connection, but an extra-long Ethernet cable can come in handy here, allowing you to move the router away from where the modem sits if necessary. If that's impractical or you'd prefer to keep the cables to a minimum, you'll at least want to move that main router out into the open, preferably as high off the ground as possible. This guide from Asus highlights a mesh rule of thumb -- for the best performance, try to keep each device in your setup no more than two rooms away from another one. Asus Move those extenders around Once the main router is situated in the best spot possible, you'll want to pick out good spots for the extenders. With most systems, you can connect each device to the main router with an Ethernet cable for the fastest speeds possible, but most people prefer to connect everything wirelessly to reduce clutter. Since Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet, you'll want to be extra strategic about where you place the extenders throughout your home. Again, out in the open and off the ground is your best bet for a clear signal, but you'll also want to consider the layout of your home, as physical obstructions between the main router and the extenders can slow things down. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to try and keep the devices in your mesh setup no more than two rooms away from each other. That'll vary from home to home, especially if yours is built with dense materials like brick or concrete in the walls that can be difficult for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate. You'll also want to watch out for electronic interference from TVs and other large appliances. So, if you're sticking a mesh extender in the kitchen, resist the urge to hide it on top of the fridge and move it away from your appliances altogether. Most mesh systems come with companion apps that include placement guides for your devices, signal strength checks, and other diagnostic tools to help you make sure you've got everything in the best spot possible. Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET Furniture can also block Wi-Fi signals, so if you have anything large or bulky between two of your mesh devices, consider relocating it. Aquariums are another classic antagonist for your mesh setup, as Wi-Fi has difficulty transmitting through water. The best way to ensure that your mesh network is as well-connected as possible is to open its app and check the signal strength of each device, which is something most systems offer. You can also find system-specific guidance online at the links below: Avoid these dead zones If you've got a back corner of your home where the signal drops out, it might be tempting to stick a mesh extender smack in the middle of that dead zone to boost your speeds. In a lot of cases, that'd be a mistake. Remember, like your phone or laptop, your mesh extenders need to connect wirelessly with the main router in your setup. If that back corner is a dead zone for your phone or laptop, it'll likely be a dead zone for your mesh extender too. The better approach is to place that extender adjacent to the dead zone in a spot where it'll have an easier time connecting with the main router. In some cases, that might be halfway between the dead zone and the main router, but you might need to experiment a bit. Hit the sweet spot, and the Wi-Fi signal it puts out should be a healthy one, and one that'll extend into the dead zone to bring it back to life. A good speed test will help you understand how your Wi-Fi is holding up from room to room. James Martin/CNET Run a speed test Apart from the diagnostic tools in your mesh router's app, the fastest way to check on your system's performance is to run some speed tests. There are plenty of free services online that we recommend, any of which will tell you the upload and download speeds on whatever device you're using in a minute or less. For the best intel, grab your laptop or phone and run multiple speed tests in each room of your house where you need a usable Wi-Fi signal. Ultimately, you should have a good ballpark sense of where speeds are the steadiest and where they dip. From there, you could try moving your extenders to try and balance things out, or you could consider buying an additional extender to fill in any gaps. Either way, your home should be all set with a strong signal wherever needed. Running a speed test can help you figure out the best spot to put your mesh router. Chris Monroe/CNET Other considerations for your mesh router Just remember that your mesh router can only offer speeds that are as fast as what you're paying for from your ISP. If speeds are widely insufficient in your home, then it might be time to consider upgrading to a faster plan (and it might be worth seeing if your ISP will let you try a faster plan for a few days to see if that is, indeed, the problem). Your ISP might also be able to provide you with an updated modem that'll bring better, faster speeds to your mesh system to begin with. Can't hurt to ask. If speeds still seem slower than you'd like, and your ISP isn't the answer, there are a few other things you can try. For starters, if your provider's modem is a gateway device that doubles as a router, you'll want to disable its Wi-Fi network so that it doesn't interfere with your mesh system's Wi-Fi network. Speaking of interference, it's possible that a neighbor's Wi-Fi network is interfering with yours. To remedy that, hop into your mesh router's app and look for channel settings that let you tune your network to a different part of the Wi-Fi airwaves, potentially steering away from whatever channel nearby networks use. You'll also want to ensure that your mesh system's firmware is updates, which should be easy to check within its app. For more, check out our picks for the best Wi-Fi 6 routers, and how to find free Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. Mesh router placement FAQ Where is the best mesh node placement? The best place for your mesh router nodes depends on the layout of your house and whether there are any dead zones. Additionally, you'll have to decide if you want to connect your mesh nodes with an Ethernet cable, for the fastest possible speeds, or wirelessly. If you opt for an Ethernet cable connection, you'll be more limited with how far away you can place the nodes, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the mesh nodes no more than two rooms away from each other, away from blockage from bulky furniture or electronics and in an upraised position. Instead of placing your mesh node in the middle of a dead zone, try placing it adjacent to or near the dead zone. That way, your node will still be close enough to your main mesh router to carry the signal. ...Read more Does mesh make internet faster? A common misconception about mesh routers is that they make your overall internet speeds faster. A mesh router network is perfect for ensuring consistent speeds throughout the house -- and keeping any dead zones to a minimum -- but they won't necessarily bring faster speeds. Like a standard Wi-Fi router, mesh router systems can only deliver the speeds that you're paying for from your ISP. Updated router equipment, optimized router location and an Ethernet connection are ultimately the easiest ways to get faster internet speeds. ...Read more What is a major disadvantage of a mesh network? One of the major downsides of a mesh router system is its high price: High-performing mesh routers tend to be more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers. If you're trying to boost your Wi-Fi, you should exhaust other options before investing in a brand-new mesh router system. Additionally, mesh routers tend to have fewer ports for connecting USB jacks or Ethernet cables, and some don't have any extra ports at all. ...Read more
Digital Trends
an hour ago
- Digital Trends
Save over $700 when you buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro today
Are you planning to buy a new Android smartphone? You should first take a look at Google Pixel deals, which currently include an amazing offer for the Google Pixel 8 Pro. From the original price of $999 for the unlocked version of the device, it's down to just $599 following a $400 discount. You'll also be able to get the Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE), valued at $300, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro Case, valued at $35, for absolutely free. That's $735 in total savings, so hurry with your purchase to make sure you don't miss out! Why you should buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro The Google Pixel 8 Pro isn't part of the latest series of the smartphone — the Google Pixel 9 Pro was launched last year and the Google Pixel 10 Pro is expected to arrive later this year — but it's still a worthwhile purchase today, especially with this offer from Google. We gave it a score of 4.5 stars out of 5 in our review because of its vibrant 6.7-inch Super Actua OLED display, phenomenal triple-camera setup headlined by a 50MP main camera, and powerful Tensor G3 chip. The Google Pixel 8 Pro ships with Android 14, with Google promising operating system updates, security patches, and feature drops until 2030. The freebies that you'll get with the Google Pixel 8 Pro makes it an even more tempting choice as your next smartphone. The Google Pixel Watch 2 scored an impressive 4 out of 5 stars in our review with its slick performance, comprehensive fitness tracking, and amazing battery life. The Google Pixel 8 Pro Case, meanwhile, will provide the necessary protection for your device against drops and scratches, and it's made of stain-resistant, silicone material with microfiber lining. In one of the most interesting phone deals you can shop today, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is available with a huge discount and freebies from Google itself. The unlocked version of the smartphone is on sale at $400 off, slashing its price to only $599 from $999, and every purchase comes with the Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE) worth $300 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro Case worth $35 for free. You're going to save $735 when you purchase the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and we highly recommend that you do so today.
