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Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

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Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#31

Post by bhaney »

crummy wrote: post #30
bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

If you had a laptop with Bluetooth, you could install this on it and find it if it were lost, I think.

Okay yeah, that appears to be true. Looks like the broadcast part currently only runs on Linux (or microcontroller firmware), while the client only works on macOS, so you'd need to lose your Linux laptop and then find it with your Apple computer, but it does seem like that setup would work if you had it. Maybe it'll be ported to other OSs at some point, if that's even possible.

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#32

Post by bpbp-mango »

bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

Are the clones any good though? Where do you even get them?

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#33

Post by omnimus »

layer8 wrote: post #14
sodality2 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They make super-thin AirTag compatible cards that fit in wallets.

The ones I’ve seen don’t have precision finding, but yes. Some even have wireless charging.

Only Apple Airtags have precision finding. I assume because its something not allowed to third parties.

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#34

Post by bhaney »

bpbp-mango wrote: post #32
bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

Are the clones any good though? Where do you even get them?

They've been perfect for me. I buy them on Temu for around $2.50 each and they work exactly like normal AirTags minus the ultra wideband precision finding. I pair and track them in the normal iOS FindMy app. Haven't been using them long enough to know how long the batteries last, but they advertise >1 year and they still all report pretty full batteries after a few months of usage, so I'm hopeful.

The credit card form factor ones for wallets are more expensive ($10) but can be wirelessly recharged on Qi chargers.

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#35

Post by solarkraft »

bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

I’ve been meaning to toy with smaller form factors. In theory a lot of gadgets with a battery could be made trackable.

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#36

Post by solarkraft »

bpbp-mango wrote: post #32
bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

Are the clones any good though? Where do you even get them?

They are quite good. I get mine on AliExpress and the batteries have been lasting for at least a couple of months now.

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#37

Post by jjallen »

crummy wrote: post #30
bhaney wrote: post #28

This is a technically interesting project, but is there any situation at all where it's worth using? It seems like it just allows you to build airtag-like devices that sorta work on the Find-My network with some rough edges, but I can buy proper AirTag clones in various form factors for a couple bucks - far cheaper than I could ever make a custom bluetooth device using this project. Am I missing a use-case?

If you had a laptop with Bluetooth, you could install this on it and find it if it were lost, I think.

Would your computer have to be open and running I’m guessing?

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#39

Post by denysvitali »

abalaji wrote: post #19

Looking through the code, it looks like this uses your personal Apple Mail entitlements to pull the locations that get collected by devices on the FindMy network: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack/blob/8d214aa5eb68... I wonder if this were also possible by making an Apple developer account.

There are versions that do not require the interaction with Apple Mail.

All you need is an Apple account - the code doesn't have to run on Apple HW: https://github.com/biemster/FindMy

Re: Openhaystack: Build 'AirTags' – track Bluetooth devices via Apple's network

#40

Post by denysvitali »

monocularvision wrote: post #20
BuildTheRobots wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kindle cover would be extremely useful.

A Kindle or cover with Find My support would make my wife overflow with happiness.

Take a cover, place inside a credit-card sized airtag
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