Google’s Find Hub Tags Are Getting NFC Tap-to-Identify and a Smarter Setup

Summary

Google Play Services 26.39 adds NFC support for Find Hub trackers, so you can tap a tag with your phone to see its details or identify a lost one. Registration also improves, letting you name the tag, pick a category, and set Left-Behind Reminders during setup. Not every tag will have NFC: the upcoming Pixel Tag reportedly lacks it, while Xiaomi’s tag has NFC but currently works only with Apple’s Find My network.

Why it matters

Tracker tags only help if setup is painless, and tap-to-identify fixes the annoying “which tag is this?” problem in a junk drawer full of them. It also shows Google is building a real third-party tag ecosystem.

HTD Says

Anyone with a drawer of mystery trackers will appreciate a tap-to-identify fix, though the NFC gaps between tags mean you should check before you buy. This is a great feature. I have struggled a bit with AirTag identification and often have to rely on making the AirTag “announce” itself via a notification.

Google does seem to be playing catch-up here, but they are adding the right features. Having to put a tag into “identification mode” is a bit of a pain, and this update definitely makes it easier.

Remember to check if the Google Find Hub Tag has the NFC chip because if it doesn’t, this new feature won’t work.

Source:

9to5Google