Google Find Hub Drops Biometric Requirement for Faster Access

Google has made a key change to its Find Hub app, formerly Find My Device. The company has removed the need to use a fingerprint or PIN every time you open it. This development is rolling out via a server-side change, but you should make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.

Google’s Find Hub update makes device tracking simpler

For the uninitiated, Google Find Hub lets you locate lost devices such as phones, tablets, headphones, and tracker tags. It allows you to see your devices on a map, play a sound to locate nearby items, and remotely secure or erase a device if it goes missing. Moreover, you can display a custom message on the screen to help someone return a lost device.

Previously, the app prioritized security, requiring biometric verification or a PIN to open it. Of course, this protects your location data, but it could be frustrating if you want to quickly check for a nearby device or accessory. Thankfully, this inconvenience has finally gone (via 9To5Google). You can now open the app instantly without additional verification. Note that the phone must be signed in to your Google account.

Furthermore, the latest update makes the Find Hub more in line with Find My on iOS. Apple’s offering does not require Face ID or a password to open it each time. As such, you get faster access to devices or people lists. Now Google also offers the ability to locate lost items without unnecessary delays.

Meanwhile, the latest app update (March 9) changelog notes, “We’ve resolved an issue where Precision Finding wasn’t working correctly on certain Android devices.” Since Precision Finding lets you find a lost device more accurately, you can expect a more reliable experience. You can head over to this Google Play Store link to update the app.