Bluetooth Vulnerability Could Allow iOS and macOS Devices Be Tracked and Identified

A security vulnerability in the Bluetooth communication protocol has the potential to allow malicious actors to track and identify devices from Apple and Microsoft, according to new research from Boston University that was highlighted by ZDNet.

Apple devices including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch are impacted, as are Microsoft tablets and laptops. Android devices are not affected.

appledevicesbluetooth
As outlined in the research paper [PDF], Bluetooth devices use public channels to announce their presence to other devices.

To prevent tracking, most devices broadcast a randomized address that periodically changes rather than a Media Access Control (MAC) address, but the researchers have found that it is possible to extract identifying tokens that allow a device to be tracked even when this randomized address changes by exploiting the address-carryover algorithm.

We present an online algorithm called the address-carryover algorithm, which exploits the fact that identifying tokens and the random address do not change in sync, to continuously track a device despite implementing anonymization measures. To our knowledge, this approach affects all Windows 10, iOS, and macOS devices.

The algorithm does not require message decryption or breaking Bluetooth security in any way, as it is based entirely on public, unencrypted advertising traffic.

The tracking method explained in the research paper has the potential to allow for an identity-exposing attack that allows for "permanent, non-continuous tracking," plus an iOS side-channel that "allows insights into user activity."

iOS or macOS devices have two identifying tokens (nearby, handoff) which change in different intervals. In many cases, the values of the identifying tokens change in sync with the address. However, in some cases the token change does not happen in the same moment, which allows the carry-over algorithm to identify the next random address.

Android devices do not use the same advertising approach as Microsoft and Apple, and are immune to the data tracking methods used by the researchers.

It's not clear if the method described has been used by any bad actors for the purpose of tracking Apple devices using Bluetooth, but it would be undetectable as it does not require breaking Bluetooth security. The research paper contains several recommendations on how to mitigate the tracking vulnerability, and Apple is often quick to patch any security issues that come up, so we could see a fix for this problem in the near future.

Popular Stories

ios 19 messages app

Apple Sues Jon Prosser Over iOS 26 Leaks

Thursday July 17, 2025 8:40 pm PDT by
Earlier this year, YouTuber Jon Prosser shared multiple videos showing off what he claimed to be re-created renderings of what was then presumed to be called iOS 19 and which was eventually unveiled by Apple as iOS 26 at WWDC in June. In his first video back in January, Prosser showed off a Camera app redesign with a simpler set of buttons for moving between photo and video modes, and he...
iPhone 17 Colors

All 15 New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Colors Revealed in Latest Leak

Wednesday July 16, 2025 6:50 am PDT by
We may finally have a definitive list of all color options for the iPhone 17 series, ahead of the devices launching in September. MacRumors concept In a report for Macworld today, Filipe Espósito said he obtained an "internal document" that allegedly reveals all of the color options for the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. The report includes ...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Here's When to Expect the iOS 26 Public Beta

Tuesday July 15, 2025 11:07 am PDT by
Apple previously announced that a public beta of iOS 26 would be available in July, and now a more specific timeframe has surfaced. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple's public betas should be released on or around Wednesday, July 23. In other words, expect the public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more to be available at some point next week. Apple will be releasing...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

Ranked: The Best Features Rumored for the iPhone 17 Lineup

Wednesday July 16, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
We have just under two months to go until the debut of Apple's iPhone 17 models, and rumors have been ramping up in recent weeks. We went through everything we know so far, pulling out the most exciting rumors and highlighting some other changes that aren't going to be so great. Top Tier Ultra Thin iPhone 17 Air - The iPhone 17 Air is 2025's most exciting iPhone rumor, because it's the...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone's Thickness and Price Range Detailed in New Reports

Wednesday July 16, 2025 11:31 am PDT by
Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone will likely have a starting price between $1,800 and $2,000 in the U.S., analysts at investment banking firm UBS said this week. If so, the foldable iPhone would cost more than a MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,599. With a starting price of at least $1,800, the foldable iPhone would be the most expensive iPhone model ever released, topping the Pro Max at...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 16 New Features

Thursday July 17, 2025 8:33 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models.Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...

Top Rated Comments

Dirtfarmer Avatar
78 months ago
if the software is of such demonstrably low quality, it should be easy for you to prove it. let's hear your proof.

BTW: Nothing like Windows not loading on its own surface laptops, or Excel crashing while running on Windows, or...., or myriad android bugs allowing replacement of software. Fact: Bugs do exist
[LIST=1]
* Super ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/07/11/151241/apple-disables-walkie-talkie-app-due-to-vulnerability-that-could-allow-iphone-eavesdropping')
* easy ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/07/11/0423244/apple-pushes-a-silent-mac-update-to-remove-hidden-zoom-web-serverhttps://it.slashdot.org/story/19/07/09/0521212/serious-zoom-security-flaw-could-let-websites-hijack-mac-cameras')
* to ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/06/29/0651212/new-mac-malware-abuses-recently-disclosed-gatekeeper-zero-day')
* prove ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/06/15/0450239/cellebrite-says-it-can-unlock-any-iphone-for-cops'):
* How ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/06/03/1957213/apple-finally-kills-itunes')
* many ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/05/14/1938252/its-almost-impossible-to-tell-if-your-iphone-has-been-hacked')
* more ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/04/08/221253/exodus-spyware-found-targeting-apple-ios-users')
* do ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/03/29/173216/macos-10144-mail-client-has-broken-gmail-access-for-some-users')
* you ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/02/19/1722240/apples-newest-macs-seem-to-have-a-serious-audio-bug')
* want ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/02/07/2046203/apple-releases-iphone-update-to-fix-group-facetime-eavesdropping-bug')?


That's just from a few months; not the most major clusters from, say, the last year or two.

The world outside of your echo chamber noticed a long time ago:

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matt_and_187_like_this Avatar
78 months ago
What's so difficult to long press/3d touch the settings icon and then choose WiFi or bluetooth and turn it off?
Not difficult, but annoying that it doesn't work in control center that way anymore. When I turn Wifi off I want to turn it off not "disconnect but still on".
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bbeagle Avatar
78 months ago
I am a little confused. Does this mean that if someone is following you and within bluetooth range (100 ft?), they can track you?
Non-continuous tracking.

For example, if you're in a Starbucks, you can find the 5 people (who have an iOS/MacOS device) that are sitting there's bluetooth ID .... now tape your device under a table tracking all these ids, you'll know when those 5 people return. Therefore you can 'track people' and their comings and goings by their devices. Of course, you don't know who those 5 people are, you'd have to monitor it in person, and then watch as they leave/enter to name these IDs to track person by person. (i.e. ID #1 is 'cute freckled girl', #2 is 'fat balding guy', etc)

It has been possible to track people via cell phone towers for a long time for iOS and Android devices.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
laz232 Avatar
78 months ago
What's so difficult to long press/3d touch the settings icon and then choose WiFi or bluetooth and turn it off?
Except that doesn't turn it off Apple changed that in iOS 11(?) - now it's in a disconnected-but-still-on mode. very annoying. Same problem when I travel. I use a VPN, but turn it, and wifi, off when I go to bed. If I turn Wifi "off" via control centre then it turns back on at 5am (without the VPN).

Great management on that one, Tim Cook and co...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matt_and_187_like_this Avatar
78 months ago
iOS 13 reveals how many apps want to access Bluetooth. Really appreciate the new controls, but I wish Apple hadn't made turning off Bluetooth and Wifi so difficult in general. Never seems to turn off completely.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MauiPa Avatar
78 months ago
Demonstrably low-quality software and decreasing-quality hardware.

Meaning increased margins and increased stock price!

Karaoke web series, watch bands, Doctor Dre headsets.

The sky's the limit!

#FIRETHEACCOUNTANT
if the software is of such demonstrably low quality, it should be easy for you to prove it. let's hear your proof.

BTW: Nothing like Windows not loading on its own surface laptops, or Excel crashing while running on Windows, or...., or myriad android bugs allowing replacement of software. Fact: Bugs do exist
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)