Case study

OpenHaystack: tracking tags that use Apple Find My

OpenHaystack uses a reconstructed Apple Find My protocol to build personal Bluetooth tracking tags and a Mac app that queries their location reports.

Targets: App · Protocol
Category: Independent reconstruction cases
Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-22

Stars: 14.0k
Last commit: 2026-08-17
Language: Swift
License (GitHub): AGPL-3.0

GitHub data as of 2026-11-09

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Requirements & limits

Requires macOS 11 or later, a Bluetooth device such as a BBC micro:bit, and the OpenHaystack Mail plugin to download location reports. Installation temporarily disables Gatekeeper while enabling the plugin.
The accessory firmware broadcasts a fixed public key, allowing nearby devices to track the tag. The project is experimental and incomplete.
License: AGPL-3.0.

Cite

BibTeX

@misc{openhaystack-find-my-case,
  title = {{OpenHaystack: tracking tags that use Apple Find My}},
  howpublished = {\url{https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack}},
  url = {https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack},
  urldate = {2026-10-22},
  note = {Awesome REA entry: \url{https://awesomerea.org/resources/openhaystack-find-my-case/}}
}

Plain text

OpenHaystack: tracking tags that use Apple Find My. https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack (accessed 2026-10-22). Awesome REA entry: https://awesomerea.org/resources/openhaystack-find-my-case/

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About this entry

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Primary sources

README.md GitHub · seemoo-lab/openhaystack · Revision ea05dad
LICENSE GitHub · seemoo-lab/openhaystack · Revision ea05dad
Resources/OpenHaystack-Screenshot.png GitHub · seemoo-lab/openhaystack · Revision ea05dad