Find My App Gaining Support for Third-Party Products

Apple today debuted iOS and iPadOS 14, and though not mentioned on stage, the company is quietly introducing a new Find My Network Accessory Program.

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The new accessory program will allow third-party products and accessories to work with the Find My app, letting users track items directly on their Apple devices using the ‌Find My‌ app.

Find My will add support for finding third-party products and accessories with the new Find My network accessory program. This will allow customers to use the Find My app to locate other important items in their lives, in addition to their Apple devices. User privacy remains central to the Find My network with end-to-end encryption built in. A draft specification is available for accessory makers and product manufacturers starting today.

Apple is making a draft specification available for accessory makers and product manufacturers that's available as of today.

It's not clear what this means for Apple's own AirTag product that's in the works, but this could be a way for Apple to level the playing field to avoid giving AirTags an unfair advantage.

Related Forum: iOS 14

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Top Rated Comments

Jyby Avatar
64 months ago
Science Rules!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
luvbug Avatar
64 months ago
I'd say that Apple has recognized that they need to take this anti-trust thing seriously. This, and the iOS 14 default-app-settings, etc. really helps deflate the anti-trust case gov'ts are mounting worldwide. There have been a number of these "little" changes announced lately, not just today.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Deliro Avatar
64 months ago
Why the hate on Tile? Good for Tile, and good for us as consumers that want choice. I'm sure Apple's Tag offering will be good, but overpriced like everything else. Mr. Cook, tear down this wall(ed garden)!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiensoy Avatar
64 months ago
And we got this most likely because of Tiles lawsuit. Thanks Tile!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zed1291 Avatar
64 months ago
Wonder if this will satisfy Tile's gripes with Apple or if they're still gonna find a reason to be mad.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
64 months ago

And we got this most likely because of Tiles lawsuit. Thanks Tile!
Thank them while you can. When Apple releases theirs, Tile is dead.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)