In 2021, Google first rolled out support for the cutting-edge Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless communication protocol with the introduction of the Pixel 6 Pro, marking an important moment in the evolution of its smartphone connectivity technologies. UWB, known for its ability to enable extremely accurate spatial awareness between devices, promised to enhance applications such as digital car keys, secure device sharing, and precise location tracking. However, users who have attempted to use their Pixel phones to pinpoint the exact location of one of the limited Android-compatible UWB trackers may have encountered frustration — and with good reason. As Google recently confirmed to Android Authority, the ability to use UWB for precise item tracking has been activated only on the Pro variants of the Pixel 8 series and newer devices, meaning that earlier models, despite having the required hardware, remain restricted from this functionality.
Intriguingly, Google has not provided a direct explanation for this limitation. The company offered no detailed rationale for why the advanced UWB precise tracking feature remains disabled on the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, both of which are equipped with physical UWB chips. The Verge reached out to Google in an effort to clarify the reasoning behind this decision and has indicated that it will update its coverage if the company issues a formal response. This omission raises questions about whether the restriction is due to software optimization, calibration differences, or simply a strategic product differentiation choice. For now, owners of those earlier Pro models can use UWB in only limited ways, without the full benefit of precise device-to-device localization.
Further corroborating this restriction, a note on a Google support page explicitly states that UWB precise finding functionality is currently limited to a select number of Android smartphones. The roster includes Google’s own Pixel 8 Pro and subsequent Pro models, along with certain flagship devices from other manufacturers — notably the Plus and Ultra editions of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series and newer versions, as well as select Motorola Edge and Razr phones. This narrow compatibility list underscores how rare true UWB-enabled precision tracking remains across the Android ecosystem.
Even on the accessory side, UWB-capable trackers that work within Google’s Find My Device network — sometimes referred to as the ‘Find Hub’ network — remain scarce. This network only began supporting UWB-based precision locating earlier in 2024, meaning that most existing Bluetooth-based trackers cannot yet take full advantage of it. For instance, Samsung’s SmartTag Plus, once regarded as a promising accessory due to its integration of UWB technology, has since been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase. At present, the only commercially available option comes from Motorola, whose $29 Moto Tag debuted in June 2024. This tracker recently gained UWB precision-finding capability through a firmware update released earlier in the year, making it one of the few viable solutions for Android users wishing to leverage the full precision potential of UWB.
In sum, while Google was an early adopter of UWB hardware in its Pixel lineup, genuine access to its most sophisticated uses remains gated to the newest and most premium devices. The constraint leaves early adopters of the Pixel Pro series unable to benefit from an accuracy standard that their hardware, at least in theory, could already support. For technology enthusiasts and everyday Android users alike, this serves as a reminder that the presence of hardware capability does not always guarantee the immediate availability of its most advanced functions — much depends on software enablement, ecosystem readiness, and strategic product alignment.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/809050/ultra-wideband-uwb-tracker-moto-tag-google-pixel-6-7-pro
