THE Google Pixel 6 Pro And Pixel 7 Proequipped with ultra-wideband (UWB) support like all the other subsequent Pro models in the Pixel range, are incompatible with a specific precision tracking functionality that uses UWB technology.

A well-known insider tried to delve deeply into the matter, even contacting Google for clarification on the matter, but the “technical” reason justifying this incompatibility has not yet emerged.

Google Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro have a limit with UWB technology

The world of Bluetooth trackers is increasingly crowded with solutions for all budgets but there is only one product that currently supports precise localization via UWB with Android smartphones via Google’s Find Hub app: Motorcycle Tag by Motorola.

To exploit this potential, received from the tracker over the summer, it is however necessary to have a smartphone with compatible hardware and the choices are not many: some Motorola from the Edge and Razr series, the flagship models from Samsung’s Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series and the Pro models from Google’s Pixel range.

The focus of this content is precisely the Pro models of the Pixel range, introduced into the catalog by the Mountain View giant in 2021, with the launch of the Google Pixel 6 Pro (alongside the “base” Pixel 6), and since then confirmed (and even doubled) in the following years.

Google has added the necessary hardware for UWB technology on its Pro smartphones, playing ahead of something that would only materialize in the years to come. However, it seems that the first two Pro models of the Pixel range do not support the precision search made possible by UWB (as illustrated by Google in the Find Hub app).


In theory this shortcoming was already known

In June, a user published a post on the Pixel smartphone community portal to complain that his Google Pixel 7 Pro wasn’t working with UWB precision tracking paired with Moto Tag.

In response, a Google product “expert” shared the link to the support portal page “Find a lost Android device”. Scrolling down the page, you can clearly read the following:

Important: UWB technology availability and performance varies based on tag models and devices running Android 13 and later. It is supported on devices including:

  • Pixel 8 series and later (Pro models only)
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 and later (Plus and Ultra models only)
  • Motorola Edge and Razr

This confirms that the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro do not actually support precision search, despite the hardware required for UWB technology, but it does not explain the nature of this limitation.

Why are the two 2021 and 2022 flagships incompatible despite having UWB?

The well-known insider Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) tried to investigate thoroughly to understand why there is this limit on the two smartphones. The only feature related to UWB technology not supported by the two models compared to Google Pixel 8 Pro (and other more recent Pro models) is the background detection.

This feature allows an app to use UWB technology in the background, and when all is said and done, it seems really strange that it would make a difference. Precision localization, in fact, occurs when the Find Hub app is open and running in the foreground.

The insider also contacted Google for further clarification on the matter but the response was far from exhaustive. The Mountain View giant reiterated the fact that UWB precision sensing is only enabled on the Pixel 8 series and later but he did not explain why it is disabled on Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro.

At this point we just have to wait for further clarification. There is little hope linked to the fact that Big G can resolve the issue in the future: the scenario in which everything remains as it currently is is decidedly more likely. On the other hand, the two 2021 and 2022 flagships are quickly approaching the end of their support.