What’s your experience been with Android trackers and the FMD network?
When the FMD network first came out, there were complaints about how it worked. Some said the problem was because it started as opt-in instead of opt-out, and others thought certain trackers just worked better.
I recently watched a review where someone tested different trackers by mailing them through the postal system. They compared them to a live GPS tracker. Apple’s system seemed to work the best, with others falling behind. Tile trackers performed well, but the reviewer thought that was because the delivery driver had a Life360 device. Samsung trackers worked fine too, though they only connect with Samsung products. Generic Android trackers varied a lot—Moto trackers did okay compared to Chipolo and Pebblebee. Moto claims UWB support, but it isn’t active for some reason.
From what I’ve read, it feels like Google messed this up big time. The network won’t be reliable until it’s made opt-out by default. Right now, it’s nowhere close to competing with Apple’s AirTag system.
@Lex
Here’s a comment I saw online that sums it up:
> Google really botched the launch of the FMD network.
> 1. Announce it.
> 2. Make the competitors comply.
> 3. Delay the launch.
> 4. Release it incomplete (no UWB support).
> 5. Slowly roll out the software.
> 6. Release the hardware, but software still isn’t ready.
> 7. It’s a crowd-based network, but there’s no crowd.
Lex said: @Devlin
Makes you wonder how long this would last at Apple before they replaced the team in charge.
Apple and Google operate very differently. Apple never launches something half-done, but when they do mess up, it’s usually on purpose, like removing features for profit.
Google, on the other hand, is always experimenting. They make all kinds of stuff, some of it great, but they also cancel things a lot. Their FMD rollout was handled poorly, but I think they had good intentions—like negotiating with Apple and making privacy opt-in instead of default. The real problem is the staggered rollout. It’s been dragging on for over six months. For a company that can update apps like Maps and Calendar worldwide in no time, this is ridiculous.
@Lex
Actually, the network is already opt-out by default. Every device becomes part of the network after receiving the update, unless you turn it off.
The issue is with how the system works. It needs multiple devices nearby to locate a tracker instead of just one, which makes it less reliable. Another problem is the rollout itself. For example, some regions like the UK got access months later than other countries. Some parts of the world might still not have it.
The network is enabled by default for every Android phone, but you need to opt in if you want your device to report a tracker’s location individually. Otherwise, it waits for multiple devices to ping the tracker.
This delay doesn’t look great in reviews where trackers are being watched in real-time, but Google says the system is useful for scenarios like leaving something behind in public places where lots of devices are around:
> “Find My Device is most useful in places like cafes and airports where there are plenty of devices nearby.”
Making it opt-in prevents potential misuse, like tracking someone’s private movements. If you’re just using it to find lost items, it works fine. If you’re expecting live updates, this system isn’t the best choice yet. As for UWB, it’s still not available overall because not enough devices support it.
@Lux
That’s true, but individual trackers can still be abused. AirTags have had their share of cases too. Alerts about unknown trackers help, but they usually take hours or even a day to show up, which is still enough time for someone to misuse it.
Luca said: @Reagan
It’s kind of a chicken-and-egg situation. No one wants to invest in hardware for a feature that might not roll out properly.
The bigger problem is that Samsung dominates the Android space, and they have their own tracker system. They’re not likely to support Google’s network fully.
Honestly, I mostly just use it to find things in my house or double-check that I’ve got my keys before leaving. The ringing feature works fine now, which it didn’t before.
Moto’s UWB isn’t active yet because the FMD network doesn’t support it, though they’re working on it.
I’ve got a Pixel 7 and a Chipolo tracker. At a family BBQ, my cousin hung the tracker on a tree about 10 meters away to test it. I couldn’t even connect to make it beep. That’s been my experience so far.
