Introduction

The Apple Find My network protocol is an encrypted, crowdsourced location service that allows users to securely track the location of lost or stolen devices using a decentralized network of Apple devices worldwide. The service employs end-to-end encryption throughout to protect user privacy.

Basic Working Principle

Crowdsourced Network

The Apple Find My network is a crowdsourced network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that use Bluetooth wireless technology to detect missing devices or items nearby, and report their approximate location back to the owner using the Find My^™ app on iPhone^®, iPad^®, Mac^®, iPod touch^®, or the Find Items app on Apple Watch^®. The entire process uses end-to-end encryption and remains anonymous, ensuring that no one else (not even Apple or third-party manufacturers) can view the location or information of the device. The Find My network also includes features to guard against unwanted tracking.

Apple's Find My network accessory specification lets accessory devices communicate with iOS devices to let the owner locate their accessory by using the Find My network. The network consists of all Apple devices from iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 and onwards, and macOS devices from Catalina and later with the Find My feature enabled.

Specification Parameters

Apple Find My Network Features

 Support Unwanted Tracking Detection

 Support Unified Accessory Restore Protocol

 Support Service Availability

 Support Software Authentication

 Support Advertising non-Find My network Bluetooth payload

Advantages

 Certified and Reliable

Realtek has fully implemented Apple Find My network protocol, enabling multiple clients to pass certification with a stable and reliable solution.

 High Compatibility

Supports multi-link functionality for both the Apple Find My network protocol and customized private BLE protocol.

 Low Power Consumption

Algorithm efficiency optimization significantly reduces chip active time, maximizes sleep mode ratio, and achieves breakthrough power reduction.

 Performance Optimized

Enhanced memory efficiency through dynamic allocation and streamlined code architecture, maximizing hardware resource utilization.

Product Applications

Implementation Guide

 Apple MFi Certification Preparation (Critical Pre-Process)

 Complete enterprise qualification registration and review via MFi Portal to register an enterprise developer account.

 Submit relevant forms on MFi Portal to apply for Find My network integration permission.

 Obtain development credentials including: Product Plan, encryption keys, Software Authentication data, and acquire development documentation and tools.

 Chip Selection

 Confirm the use of Realtek BLE chips that support Apple Find My network.

 Realtek Development Environment Configuration

 Contact Realtek FAE to obtain software/hardware development resource packages and toolkits, then complete customized development: Contact Us.

 Certification Testing Process

 Pre-certification self-testing.

 Submit for Apple ATS laboratory testing.