Google just made it easier to find and disable unwanted Bluetooth trackers

Google has updated the unknown tracker alert 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 lets users ‘pause’ location updates from their smartphones for a while, protecting their privacy when an unknown tracker is detected. Meanwhile, users can find a hidden tag 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 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 users can take action against an unknown Bluetooth tracker once it has been detected, once it has been located. This may involve turning off the tracker (usually by removing the battery, causing it to no longer function) or simply throwing it away. This is a useful feature that can help users stay safe from Bluetooth tags that could be used for stalking or monitoring.

To detect an unknown tracker near them, Google says users can access the Find Nearby feature on their Android smartphone. This feature was introduced to direct users to a hidden tag once their handset detects it.

While this feature appears to be rolling out to users, a manual scan can already be performed for nearby trackers that are separated from their owners. This option is available from the Unknown tracker alerts via section Institutions > Safety and emergencies > Unknown tracker alerts on most phones, and Google says it doesn’t store the results of manual scans performed by users.