Find Galaxy Device Location Even When Offline... Launch of 'SmartThings Find'

Location Confirmation Possible Even When Disconnected Using BLE and UWB Technology
Location Signal Delivered to Nearby Devices to Notify Location When Reporting Loss

Samsung Electronics 'SmartThings Find'

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Galaxy users will be able to quickly check the location of their smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices even when offline.

On the 30th, Samsung Electronics launched 'SmartThings Find' globally, a service that allows Galaxy users to quickly locate their devices. SmartThings Find uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to register devices in the app, enabling location tracking even in offline situations.

The devices that can be located using SmartThings Find include Galaxy smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and earbuds (left and right separately). Smartphones and tablets must be Android 8 or higher, smartwatches must be Tizen 5.5 or higher, and earbuds include 'Galaxy Buds Plus' and 'Galaxy Buds Live.' The new SmartThings app software will be updated starting from the 30th for Galaxy smartphones and tablets running Android 8 or higher. After updating the app, users can click the 'SmartThings Find' banner at the top of the home screen and complete the service registration process.

Using SmartThings Find, users can check the location of their registered devices even when the network or Bluetooth connection is disconnected and the device is offline. If a registered device remains offline for more than 30 minutes, it generates its own BLE signal, which is automatically transmitted to nearby SmartThings user devices that have given consent. When a SmartThings Find user reports a lost device through the SmartThings app, nearby devices send location information to the SmartThings server. The location information of the device being searched for is shared only with the reporter.

The location information of devices registered with SmartThings Find is updated in real time. If a registered device is lost, users can open the SmartThings app, select the device they want to find, and the device’s location will be displayed on the map. When the user approaches the lost device, an alert sound can be played to help locate it by sound. Users with devices equipped with UWB technology can use the augmented reality (AR)-based 'Search Nearby' feature to view the lost device’s location with color graphics.

Jung Jaeyeon, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics’ Wireless Business Division (Head of SmartThings Team), said, "SmartThings Find, designed considering visual (map), auditory (alert sound), and AR features, is a service that safely protects Galaxy users’ valuable devices from loss risks." He added, "Especially for users with UWB-equipped devices, it will provide a new and meaningful mobile experience."