Code in iOS 14.3 suggests that Apple is rolling out the groundwork to add support for third-party item trackers to the Find My app, as well as additional support for AirTags.
Apple alongside iOS 14 launched a Find My Network Accessory Program that's designed to allow third-party products and accessories to integrate with the Find My app. With these feature, users can track third-party lost items directly on their Apple devices using the Find My app.
It is, in fact, similar to the AirTags that Apple is working on, but for third-party products. It's not yet clear what manufacturers plan to implement this functionality, but it seems like it could be added to a range of different Bluetooth devices.
There are several strings of code in iOS 14.3 that hint at how it will work, with the info discovered by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.
You are connecting to an item that is paired to someone else's Apple ID.
This item has been moving with you for a while.
The owner can see its location.
This item was seen nearby.
The owner of this item will be able to see its location.
Replace battery on [item] soon.
This item is not supported. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, you may need to contact the manufacturer.
Change or charge the battery for this item and try again.
This device doesn't support Bluetooth. Bluetooth is required to connect your item.
Adding items is not supported on this device.
Contact the manufacturer of this device to learn if Find My is supported.
Make sure the item is nearby and ready to connect.
To add items to Find My, you'll need to first update your account security.
You have added the maximum number of items to your Apple ID. You can add another item once you remove one.
Turn on precise location to more accurately locate the distance between you and your friends, devices, and items.
Removing this item will allow it to be set up and used by another person and it will no longer be linked to your Apple ID.
You can learn more about lost items, or see if the owner has left a message, by connecting to it.
Select an emoji and name that best represents your item.
If this item is not familiar to you, learn how to disassemble it and stop sharing your location.
Keep track of your everyday items by adding Find My compatible accessories.
The beta also includes related icons (one of which may unveil the design of AirPods Studio) and some AirTags images that we've previously seen, all under the codename "Hawkeye."
It's not clear when we might see the first items that are able to integrate with the Find My app, but it appears that Apple is gearing up for support so we could perhaps be seeing some Find My-compatible Bluetooth items in the near future.
Friday October 24, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by Juli Clover
In the fourth iOS 26.1 beta, Apple added a "Tinted" option that reduces the translucency of Liquid Glass for those who prefer a more opaque look. I saw some comments wondering whether the setting might preserve battery life, so I thought I'd do some testing.
Test Settings
I did four separate tests using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I kept the parameters as similar as possible. Here are the...
Wednesday October 22, 2025 6:15 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more.
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In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple's plan to bring more ads to iOS is moving "gaining traction," with the Maps app being next in line. The project will apparently give restaurants and other businesses the option to pay to have their details featured more prominently in...
Thursday October 23, 2025 3:55 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN.
Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 ...
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With its latest iPhone lineup, the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature 12GB of memory. This is a significant increase of 4GB more their predecessors, largely driven by the demands of on-device artificial intelligence processing.
The iPhone 17 is the only new...
In July, Apple sued well-known YouTuber Jon Prosser and his acquaintance Michael Ramacciotti over alleged theft of the company's trade secrets, after Prosser leaked some iOS 26 details in videos uploaded to his YouTube channel Front Page Tech. If you are not caught up on the lawsuit, read our initial coverage to learn more.
Earlier this week, Prosser told The Verge he has "been in active...
Apple's new iPhone lineup launched in the fall of 2027 will be called the "iPhone 20" models, rather than the "iPhone 19," according to research firm Omdia.
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At least some new iPhone models launching next year may support full 5G satellite internet, according to a report this week from The Information.
"Apple plans to add support in upcoming iPhones as early as next year for 5G networks that aren't tethered to Earth's surface, which includes satellites," the report said. "That would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite," it added.
...
The Windows 10 end-of-support deadline is driving the largest coordinated PC replacement cycle in years across the industry, and Apple is emerging as one of the main beneficiaries as Mac shipments accelerate.
Counterpoint Research this week reported that nearly 40% of the global installed PC base was still running Windows 10 ahead of the October 2025 cutoff, triggering early fleet renewals...
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
It's pretty clear they needed to get this out first to avoid anti-cometiticive lawsuits before releasing AirTags. Once 14.3 is out, I bet we'll see AirTags finally launch.
If anything for me it was Tile that was coming across anti competitive by crying about Apple potentially launching tags before they have even been released. Tile could always try making their own phone. Spotify is another one that just whinges. And state Apple has an unfair advantage then Spotify brags about how many users they have. These other companies do not appear to be that smart.
Apple dodging those anti-competitive lawsuits preemptively now ?
Tile can make as much noise as they want. I bought one of their trackers a couple of years back, and it was a horrible experience. You couldn’t pay me to use them ever again.
Is it anti-competitive when Apple has a legitimately superior product that threatens to marginalise your entire business model? Or is it just a sign that you are unfit to compete, like BlackBerry, Pebble, and numerous other competitors that Apple has laid waste to?
