Fast Pair feature for pairing headphones will work in Android 13 without Google services

In 2017, Google announced the Fast Pair feature, which makes it easy to pair Bluetooth devices with Android smartphones using the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. Simply put, the company has implemented its own technology for easily connecting wireless headphones without having to dig into the Bluetooth settings of a smartphone or tablet. Fast Pair has been integrated into Nearby technology, which is part of Google Mobile Services (GMS). To be safe, Google requires manufacturers to register their Bluetooth devices before using the feature. Because of this, smartphones that come without Google services do not support Fast Pair. With the release of Android 13, the situation should change.

Changes to the AOSP code show that Google wants to implement Fast Pair on devices that ship without GMS starting with Android 13. The company plans to offer Fast Pair as a core module to manufacturers, making it part of the Nearby Manager API. This API is already in the first Android 13 developer preview.

According to a comment from a member of the Android development team, the upcoming changes will allow manufacturers to set up their own server to sync and serve Fast Pair certified device metadata. Thus, this function can be transferred to devices without GMS – these are mainly sold in China. It’s a logical move from Google, given the company’s promise to bring Fast Pair to Chromebooks, Windows, Android TVs, and other smart home devices.

Source: Trash Box

You may also like