Google has started rolling out “Notify when left behind” alerts for item trackers in the Find Hub app on Android, with a Home address exception, in the US and parts of Europe.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Google has started rolling out a new feature for the Find Hub app on Android that sends a notification when a user leaves a location tracker, or the item it is attached to, behind. The feature, called “Notify when left behind,” was first reported by 9to5Google and began appearing around November 6, 2026.
To turn on separation alerts, open the Find Hub app, choose a tag from the device list, and select the Settings gear icon. On the tracker’s page, a new section lets users enable “Notify when left behind” for that specific device. Once switched on, the user receives an alert from the Find Hub network if they get far enough away from the tracker, unless the tracker is at the designated Home address saved in Google Maps or the Google Account.
The rollout is live in the US and in some parts of Europe. According to 9to5Google, the feature is available across brands and was accessed with Moto and Chipolo trackers linked to an Android phone. SammyGuru reported that the feature was spotted on Chipolo trackers and the Moto Tag with Find Hub version 3.1.787-06.
The feature currently works with item trackers but not with other device types such as headphones. Android Authority noted that an earlier teardown surfaced evidence suggesting Google was working on support for headphones, and that earbuds and headphones could get left-behind alerts in a future update. Jetstream stated that the setting is strictly for Bluetooth trackers compatible with Find Hub and is not intended for Android devices such as smartphones and tablets, nor for general peripherals like Bluetooth earphones.
Google previously mentioned Left-Behind Reminders in its October Play Services update changelog, according to Android Authority and SammyGuru. Jetstream said the feature was initially previewed and prepared as “Left-Behind Reminders” in the October 2026 “Google System Release Notes,” with the description “You’ll get a notification when this tag leaves your phone,” and that it supports configuring “Excepted locations.”
Google has also updated the registration flow for Find Hub network tags, allowing users to set up Left-Behind Reminders during initial configuration, according to SammyGuru. Android Authority reported that Google is expected to introduce NFC support that lets users quickly identify lost tags by tapping them with their phone.
Competitors have offered similar capabilities for some time. Apple has had separation alerts for years for Find My-enabled tracking devices, and Samsung added the feature to SmartThings for devices such as Galaxy SmartTags and Buds a few years ago, according to Engadget. SammyGuru noted that Samsung Find’s “Notify when left behind” feature alerts users when the connection between a phone and an item breaks and supports Safe Places.
The update closes a gap between Google’s Find Hub and rival item-tracking networks. Users can now receive reminders when a tagged item is separated from their phone, which may improve the chances of retrieving a dropped or forgotten item before traveling too far or boarding a plane.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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