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For most Galaxy owners, keep Offline finding on: one limited Galaxy Z Fold 8 test found only a small standby-drain difference, while the feature can help Samsung’s network locate a supported device that has lost its internet connection. That test is not enough to promise the same battery result on other phones, and Samsung does not publish a battery-cost figure.
What Offline finding does
Samsung’s Samsung Find documentation says that, with Offline finding enabled, the Galaxy network can help locate supported devices even when they are not connected to a network. Nearby participating Galaxy devices can detect an offline device and relay location information. This is an added recovery path, not a guarantee that a lost device will be found or precisely located; Samsung notes that Find Node devices do not indicate the lost device’s exact location.
The feature can apply to supported Galaxy phones, tablets, wearables and SmartTags, with compatibility depending on product and region. A Galaxy SmartTag is for tracking belongings such as keys or a bag; you do not need to own one to enable Offline finding on your phone.
What the battery test found—and what it cannot prove
A Linx Tech News article dated August 29, 2026, reported the author’s comparison on a Galaxy Z Fold 8. With Offline finding on, the phone went from 100% to 92% over eight hours (about 1.0% per hour), then from 92% to 83% over 10 hours 20 minutes (about 0.87% per hour). The article reports an enabled-run average of about 0.94% per hour. In the single run with Offline finding off, the phone went from 100% to 90% over 11 hours 33 minutes (about 0.87% per hour). The author calculated a difference of roughly 0.07 percentage points per hour.
#1 Best Overall
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only
That is a small difference in this particular comparison, not a measurement of the feature’s isolated power use. The test had two enabled runs and one disabled run, and the runs were not fully matched: one enabled run was during the day and the other two were overnight. The phone’s battery was also only a few weeks old. The variation between the two enabled runs was greater than the reported gap between the enabled average and disabled run. These observations cannot establish what an older phone, another Galaxy model or a different user’s standby pattern will show.
Samsung does not state a battery-drain figure for Offline finding in the cited documentation. The available numbers are the article author’s measurements, not a Samsung specification or an independent broad study.
Rank #2
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
What you give up if you turn it off
Disabling Offline finding removes this offline-network assistance. It does not, by itself, switch off Samsung’s other finding controls: Samsung’s US instructions list Allow this phone to be found, Send last location and Offline finding as separate settings.
Offline finding does not make a powered-off phone trackable. Samsung says the phone or tablet must be turned on; if it is powered off, only its last known location is available. Samsung’s US support instructions also require a Samsung account on the target device and remote controls enabled.
Rank #3
- Find your things with ease: The SmartThings Find app uses Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to locate and keep track of your stuff
- Water and Dust Resistant: IP67 rating offers protection against dust and water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
- Compatible with Galaxy Devices Only.
How to check or change the setting
- On a supported Galaxy phone or tablet, open Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection. This is the path in Samsung’s US instructions.
- Review the separate switches for Allow this phone to be found, Send last location and Offline finding. Turn Offline finding on if you want the offline-network recovery option.
- If the labels or path differ on your device, search Settings for “Offline finding.” Menu names and availability vary by device, software version and region. Samsung’s UK Samsung Find page also describes enabling the feature through the Samsung Find app or device settings.
Should you leave it on?
Leave Offline finding on if you value the extra chance to locate a supported, powered-on Galaxy device after it loses network connectivity. The only cited battery comparison showed little difference, but it is too limited to promise that result for every phone or user. If you turn the feature off to minimize background activity, do so knowing you are giving up that offline assistance—not necessarily Samsung’s separate finding settings.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track¹; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant², activates your compatible IoT devices³ and stays powered for up to 500 days⁴ or even up to 40% more on Power Saving Mode⁵
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand¹
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something? Switch on Search Nearby⁶ and get instructions to your item's location via Compass View⁷; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- TAGGED & TRENDY: Cover your Galaxy SmartTag2 with a colorful Silicone Case for protection and a smooth touch – or a Rugged Case with a non-slip pattern on the side and additional bumper on the bottom⁸; Both have a carabiner ring attachment
Rank #4
- REDESIGNED TO DO MORE: The redesigned Galaxy SmartTag2 is made so you can keep calm and keep track; Its design makes it easy for you to tag and carry your belongings
- EASY TO USE: It's IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, activates your compatible IoT devices and stays powered for up to 500 days or even up to 40% more on Non-Power Saving Mode
- RELAX, YOU'VE GOT IT TAGGED: Simply register a new Galaxy SmartTag2 and get started right away with SmartThings Find; With its intuitive tracking experience, you now have a way to keep track of things you love right in the palm of your hand
- SEARCH NEAR WHEN IT'S NOT FAR: Lose something. Switch on Search Nearby and get guided instructions to your item's location via Compass View; If you still don't see it, just ring your Galaxy SmartTag2 to have it send out an audible signal
- Type of battery needed: replaceable CR2032 1 ea Lithium battery (not included)
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