You Can Find OnePlus 13 When Switched Off Using Offline Find My Device Feature

Google’s Find My Device network received a major upgrade last year allowing it to locate the devices even when they are powered off. Something like Apple’s Find My feature. Initially, it was only available on the Pixel 8 andPixel 9 series. Now,OnePlus 13is one of the first Android phones outside the Pixel lineup to receive this feature. Google calls it Powered Off Finding and here is how it works.

How Powered Off Finding Works

Android Authorityfound Powered Off Finding option during their OnePlus 13 tests. What happens is that OnePlus 13 will keep a tiny part of its Bluetooth hardware running even after the phone is switched off. Specifically, it will use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a power-efficient version of Bluetooth designed for continuous, low-power operation. Imagine a very low-power signal constantly being sent out using BLE. This signal contains encrypted information about your phone’s location, but it’s not sent directly to you. Instead, it relies on other Android phones and devices around you that are part of Google’s Find My Device network.

These nearby devices act like helpers, picking up the signal from your powered-off OnePlus 13 and secretly relaying that information to Google. When you open the Find My Device app, Google uses this information to show you where your phone is on a map. It’s like a digital search party, with other devices in the network helping you find your lost phone. This process isn’t continuous and only works for a limited time after the phone is powered down, giving you a few hours to recover it.

You Can Find Oneplus 13 When Switched Off Using Offline Find My Device Feature

This indicates that there is a part of battery juice kept in reserve for Powered Off Finding option to work. Once the juice runs out, the feature is disabled automatically.

How to Set Up Find My Device on Your OnePlus 13

To ensure you’re able to take advantage of the powered-off finding feature, it’s a good idea to double-check that Find My Device is properly set up on your OnePlus 13. Here’s how:

How to Use Find My Device to Locate Your OnePlus 13

Google’s Find My Device network can be a lifesaver if someone steals your OnePlus 13 or you lose it, especially with the new powered-off finding capability. Here’s how to use it:

Using the Find My Device App:

The Find My Device app also offers other helpful actions. Here’s what you can do:

Using Find My Device in a Web Browser:

The offline device-finding feature extends the window of opportunity to locate your device.

The Hardware and Software Support Behind this Feature

Again, the Powered Off Finding option in Google’s Find My Device relies on specific hardware inside the OnePlus 13. The phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which includes a component called the FastConnect 7900. This FastConnect 7900 is what makes the low-power Bluetooth signaling possible even when the main phone is shut down.

Having the necessary hardware is only half the battle. Phone manufacturers must also enable the feature in their software. OnePlus has done so for the OnePlus 13, which is why older models like the OnePlus 12 (with a different processor and FastConnect version) and the OnePlus 13R lack this capability. They simply don’t have the required hardware and software support.

Opening the power menu in OnePlus 13 displays the message ‘You can locate this phone with ‘Find My Device’ even when powered off‘. Moreover, opening the Find My Device app on OnePlus 13 shows a message that states your phone can be found when ‘it’s powered off or out of battery‘.

Powered Off Finding makes the OnePlus 13 a more secure smartphone. We hope this valuable feature becomes a standard across the Android ecosystem securing all Android devices.

Anchit Srivastava

Working as a Tech Writer at Tech Wiser, I’m passionate about technology since childhood. I enjoy discussing it with friends, exploring new techs, and analyzing features in Android, iOS, and other technologies. My goal is to simplify complex information about current and emerging technologies, making them more accessible and understandable to people interested in learning more.

You Can Find OnePlus 13 When Switched Off Using Offline Find My Device Feature