The user base of SmartThings Find has expanded to over 300 million users as of May 2023. Many Samsung device owners still don’t realize its full potential. We found that there was a million new users joining this powerful tracking service each day, and it has become vital for Galaxy device owners.
SmartThings Find serves as Samsung’s solution to locate your Galaxy smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and earbuds. The service employs Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. The tool offers more features than Samsung typically expresses. Your device sends out a BLE signal after being offline for 30 minutes. This creates a big network of potential finders.
This piece will walk you through SmartThings Find’s hidden features that Samsung doesn’t advertise. You can invite up to 19 people to help locate your missing devices and track up to 200 devices at once. The service packs powerful capabilities you never knew existed, whether you’re just starting with SmartThings Find or have used it for years.
The truth about SmartThings Find: What Samsung didn’t highlight
Samsung launched one of its best services without making a big deal about it. SmartThings Find packs features way beyond the reach and influence of basic device tracking that most users never find. The company stays modest about what this service can do, even though it marks a huge step forward in connecting Samsung’s ecosystem.
SmartThings Find vs Samsung Find: What’s the difference?
Galaxy device owners often mix up SmartThings Find and Samsung Find. The similar names make this confusion natural. These two services work differently and serve different purposes.
SmartThings Find is the newer and better system built into the SmartThings app. It keeps track of your whole family of Galaxy devices – tablets, watches, earbuds, and SmartTags. The service blends different technologies (BLE and UWB) to create a network where all your devices help each other.
In stark comparison to this, Samsung Find (once called “Find My Mobile”) is the older web-based service at findmymobile.samsung.com that mostly tracks phones and tablets. It gives you simple location tracking but can’t find devices offline like SmartThings Find can. On top of that, it needs your device to be online and linked to your Samsung account.
The sort of thing I love is that these services can work together. SmartThings Find excels at pinpointing physical locations, while Samsung Find lets you control your device remotely – like protecting data, locking screens, and getting call logs. Using both gives you complete protection for your devices.
Why SmartThings Find is more powerful than it seems
SmartThings Find’s real strength comes from features Samsung barely talks about. The service creates an anonymous, encrypted network that utilizes over 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide. Your offline device becomes a “beacon” that other Galaxy devices can spot – without compromising anyone’s privacy.
This system works even when your device runs out of power or shuts down. The BLE signal keeps broadcasting for up to 24 hours after the battery dies. Your lost phone can signal its location to passing Galaxy devices long after you think it’s dead.
SmartThings Find also uses ultra-wideband technology in newer devices for super-precise directional tracking. Samsung doesn’t emphasize how revolutionary this is. Compatible devices don’t just show a map – they give you AR-based visual directions that point right to your item with centimeter-perfect accuracy.
The system shines in finding devices of all types. You can locate your phone, find Galaxy Buds stuck in couch cushions, or spot your Galaxy Watch behind the dresser. This creates a smooth finding experience that works better than separate tracking tools.
The service balances powerful tracking with strong privacy protection. SmartThings Find encrypts location data and stops tracking misuse through randomized device IDs and PIN-protected location sharing. Nobody can see your device’s location – not even Samsung – until you mark it as lost.
The platform grows beyond simple device finding to enable new features. From AR-based tracking to alerts when items get left behind, SmartThings Find forms the foundation for location-aware services that will expand beyond just finding lost devices.
How SmartThings Find actually works behind the scenes
A complex system powers every successful device recovery through SmartThings Find. Let’s look at the amazing technology that works behind the scenes – something most users never get to see.
The Galaxy Find Network explained
The Galaxy Find Network forms the foundation of SmartThings Find, with over 300 million nodes as of 2023. This huge network gets stronger each day as more Galaxy devices join in. Picture it as a digital search party that stands ready to find your missing devices.
This network stands out because of its crowdsourced design. Your device becomes a “Find Node” when you turn on “Offline Finding” in your settings. These Find Nodes act like anonymous scouts that can spot signals from lost devices and tell the owner where to find them. More Find Nodes in an area mean better tracking accuracy and reliability.
You can easily set up your device as a Find Node. Just go to Settings → Security and Privacy → Lost device protection → Offline finding. Your device will join millions of others to create this robust mesh network while keeping everyone’s privacy and security intact.
How BLE and UWB power offline tracking
SmartThings Find uses two technologies that work naturally together: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB).
BLE handles the main job of detecting devices. It uses very little battery power and can detect devices up to 100 meters away. This matters because the technology runs all the time in the background without draining your battery.
Newer Galaxy devices use Ultra-Wideband technology for even better results. While BLE only shows rough distance, UWB tells you exact direction and location down to centimeters. This explains why newer devices can show you AR-based visual hints when you search nearby.
These technologies team up to create a reliable tracking system that balances accuracy and battery life. Your device’s normal battery use stays almost the same, so you don’t trade battery life for the peace of mind of finding your device if lost.
What happens when your device is offline
The real magic starts when your device loses connection. After 30 minutes offline, your Galaxy device starts sending out a BLE beacon signal. Other Galaxy devices in the network can pick up this signal.
The process works like this:
- Your lost device sends out a BLE signal after 30 minutes offline
- Any nearby Galaxy Find Node can catch this signal
- The Find Node sends the location to Samsung’s server without revealing its identity
- The server sends this information to your SmartThings app
- You see a notification with the location on a map
Your privacy stays protected throughout this process. The location data gets encrypted so only you can see where your device is. You can add extra security by turning on “Encrypt offline location” with a PIN.
Find Nodes help locate your device without knowing they did it – they just pass along encrypted location data without seeing any personal details. This keeps the whole finding process private.
This system works with all Galaxy devices – not just phones. You can find tablets, smartwatches, earbuds (even individual buds), and SmartTags using this network. Any Galaxy smartphone or tablet running Android 8 or newer, plus various Galaxy watches and earbuds can use this system.
Hidden features you probably missed in SmartThings Find
Galaxy users rarely explore SmartThings Find’s full capabilities. State-of-the-art features remain hidden yet ready to improve your experience with this versatile tool.
Search Nearby with AR visual cues
The “Search Nearby” feature with AR visual guidance helps you find your device in quiet spaces. This function employs ultra-wideband technology that provides precise directional guidance. Your SmartTag+ needs to be within range (approximately 15m in open spaces). You can tap “Search nearby” and then “Find using camera” in the SmartThings app. AR arrows appear on your screen as you point your camera, showing the way to your missing item. This works great especially when you have noise-sensitive places like libraries where ringing your device isn’t appropriate. Note that you’ll need a UWB-compatible device such as Galaxy S21+, S21 Ultra, or newer models.
Location history for SmartTags
SmartThings Find keeps a 7-day location history of your SmartTags. The timeline shows where your tagged items have been. You can check the “Location History” option to see your SmartTag’s movements in the last week. The history preserves data only for seven days—longer records aren’t available yet. Some users mention the history doesn’t show all locations, but this feature gives valuable tracking information about your important items.
Notify when left behind or found
“Notify when left behind” sends alerts that prevent you from wandering too far from important devices. This keeps you from forgetting your earbuds, watch, or other connected devices. The setup process starts in the SmartThings app. Select the “Life” tab, tap the “Find” card, and enable the toggle next to “Notify when left behind” for each device. The “Notify me when it’s found” option alerts you when another Galaxy device in the SmartThings network detects your lost device.
Encrypt offline location with a PIN
SmartThings Find lets you encrypt your device’s offline location data with a six-digit PIN. This security layer ensures only you can view your device’s location when it’s offline. The feature activates through Settings within SmartThings Find. Tap “Encrypt offline location” and set your PIN. You’ll need this PIN to access your device’s offline location.
Unknown tag detection and safe tags
SmartThings Find has an “Unknown Tag Search” feature that addresses tracking concerns. This experimental feature detects tags that move with you consistently and helps identify privacy risks. You can mark “Safe Tags” belonging to friends or family so they don’t trigger alerts.
Add SmartThings Find to your home screen
Quick access to SmartThings Find starts with adding it to your home screen. The SmartThings app lets you do this through the three-dot menu in SmartThings Find. Select “Add to Home Screen”. This shortcut takes you straight to the location map without going through the app, saving time during your search for lost items.
SmartThings Find Members: The crowdsourced tracking feature
SmartThings Find has a powerful feature that many users overlook – the ability to create a network of trusted people who help locate your devices. Your chances of finding lost items increase significantly when device recovery becomes a group effort.
How to share device access with trusted people
The process to add family members or friends to SmartThings Find remains simple. You can choose between two options:
The SmartThings app provides access through the “Life” tab where you select the “Find” card. The “Members’ devices” section lets you tap “Invite member.” You can either send an invitation by entering their Samsung account email or generate a QR code for them to scan. Your invitee needs the SmartThings app installed and an active Samsung account to accept the invitation.
Your trusted circle can help find your devices even without your phone once the connection establishes.
Limitations and privacy controls
Members get significant access with key restrictions. They can view and control shared devices but lack permission to add or remove other members or delete your location. You keep full control as the owner and can remove members through the “Manage locations” settings anytime.
The system lets you choose specific devices to share, which protects your privacy by limiting what members can track.
How many devices and members can be added
SmartThings Find supports up to 19 members on your account, creating a strong search network of 20 people including you. This group can track 200 devices at once. Your whole family can help locate phones, earbuds, and SmartTags with minimal setup.
Advanced controls: Lock, erase, and extend battery remotely
SmartThings Find does more than just track your devices. It provides robust remote controls that protect your data if your device gets lost. You can control your missing Galaxy devices from anywhere with these advanced features.
Remotely lock your phone or tablet
Data security becomes the top priority if your device goes missing. The SmartThings Find website or app lets you lock your device instantly from anywhere. Just select your device, tap “Lock,” and set up a PIN that someone will need to unlock it. The system also allows you to add an emergency contact and custom message to help good Samaritans return your device.
Erase all data securely
You can remotely wipe all data from your device if recovery looks unlikely. A factory reset removes your personal information and stops unauthorized access. Your data needs a backup first! Google device protection kicks in after the erasure and requires your Google account credentials before anyone can use the device.
Turn on maximum power saving mode
Your missing device’s battery might die soon. SmartThings Find enables remote activation of Maximum power saving mode that extends battery life significantly, even with minimal charge. This feature gives you extra time to find your device before it shuts down.
Use your Galaxy Watch to find your phone
Your Galaxy Watch becomes a phone finder if you’ve misplaced your device. This works as long as it stays connected through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LTE. The process is simple – open Samsung Find on your watch, select your phone, and tap the Ring icon to trigger an alert sound.
Conclusion
SmartThings Find packs many more features than Samsung usually shows off. Our deep dive reveals hidden capabilities that turn this simple device locator into a detailed security and tracking ecosystem for your Galaxy devices.
The 300-million-device network creates possibilities way beyond the reach of simple tracking. BLE and UWB technologies help find devices even when offline. AR-based visual guidance delivers precision that old tracking methods couldn’t match. The system tracks location history and alerts you when items get left behind, making it practical for daily use.
The best part? SmartThings Find strikes the right balance between powerful tracking and strong privacy protection. Your location data stays secure through encryption options and unknown tag detection while you benefit from the massive network’s reach.
Team collaboration makes this tool stand out, especially when you have to recover devices. You can add up to 19 trusted members to create a search team that improves your chances of finding lost items by a lot. This feature alone puts SmartThings Find ahead of its competitors.
Most users tap into just the simple functions of SmartThings Find. The system offers remote locking, data erasure, and power saving mode to protect your devices and personal data completely.
Samsung’s biggest leap forward in device security and recovery comes through SmartThings Find, though they’ve kept quiet about its full potential. Next time you misplace a Galaxy device, note that you’re not just using a simple tracking app – you’ve got a sophisticated ecosystem protecting your digital world.
FAQs
Q1. How accurate is SmartThings Find for locating devices?
SmartThings Find is generally quite accurate in estimating a device’s location. While there may be slight variations, the location circle shown in the app provides a reliable approximation of where the device is currently located.
Q2. What are the key differences between Samsung Find and SmartThings Find?
SmartThings Find is a newer, more advanced system that can locate a wider range of Galaxy devices including phones, tablets, watches, and earbuds. It uses technologies like BLE and UWB for offline tracking. Samsung Find is an older web-based service primarily for phones and tablets that requires devices to be online.
Q3. Can SmartThings Find locate a device that’s turned off?
Yes, SmartThings Find can help locate a device even when it’s turned off or offline. After 30 minutes of being offline, the device emits a BLE signal that can be detected by other Galaxy devices in the network, allowing its location to be reported back to you.
Q4. How do I stop SmartThings Find from tracking my device?
To remove a device from SmartThings Find, open the SmartThings app, select “SmartThings Find”, choose the device you want to remove, and then use the “Find My Mobile” site to delete the device from tracking.
Q5. What hidden features does SmartThings Find offer?
SmartThings Find has several lesser-known features, including AR-based visual guidance for precise item location, a 7-day location history for SmartTags, notifications when items are left behind, the ability to encrypt offline location data with a PIN, and detection of unknown tracking tags for privacy protection.
