Find My's New Third-Party Accessory Support Works With iOS 14.3 and Later

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced the launch of its Find My network accessory program, allowing compatible third-party accessories to be tracked in the ‌Find My‌ app right alongside Apple devices. The first products that work with the Find My app will include a new Chipolo item tracker, Belkin earbuds, and select VanMoof e-bikes.

While it was initially suspected that Find My's third-party accessory support might require the latest software, this is not the case after all. The updated Find My app with a new Items tab is available starting today on devices running iOS 14.3 and later, iPadOS 14.3 and later, and macOS Big Sur 11.1 or later, following a server-side change.

Approved products will feature a "Works with Apple Find My" badge. When a Find My-enabled product has gone missing but is nearby, users can activate a sound on the item in an effort to pinpoint its location.

Apple is widely rumored to be working on its own item tracker called AirTags, and users would be able to keep track of AirTags-equipped products in the Find My app. However, given that AirTags have been rumored for nearly two years now and Apple is promoting the third-party Chipolo item tracker, it's unclear if and when AirTags will be announced.

Article Link: Find My's New Third-Party Accessory Support Works With iOS 14.3 and Later

 

[alexandr]

i wish i had belkin earbuds to try this. no, wait — i don't...

 

[BWhaler]

Can’t wait for this. I will only use an Apple tracking ecosystem and hardware to protect my privacy.

Countdown to Samsung knockoff in 3,2,1...

And you just know there are meetings all week at Facebook how they can create a similar system or hack into it to violate our privacy even more than they do. Poor, thirsty Facebook.

 

[diddl14]

Look forward finally seeing the rumored AirTags popup...

 

[itsmeaustend]

Does this mean we won’t see Tile complain anymore?

 

[Itinj24]

All we need is a full fledged “Find My” app on the Apple Watch and not just for people. The is one device that is the least likely to be removed from you. I don’t carry my iPad and/or MBP on a daily basis, I don’t always have a friend close by and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking a random stranger to borrow their device to help find mine. Imagine losing a backpack with your iPad, iPhone and a tracker in it? How great would it be to be able to use the Apple Watch to find it.

 

[alexandr]

Does this mean we won’t see Tile complain anymore?

or we just won't see tile anymore at all

 

[Itinj24]

Can’t wait for this. I will only use an Apple tracking ecosystem and hardware to protect my privacy.

Countdown to Samsung knockoff in 3,2,1...

And you just know there are meetings all week at Facebook how they can create a similar system or hack into it to violate our privacy even more than they do. Poor, thirsty Facebook.

Samsung already quietly released their smart tag tracker ahead of Apple and it’s available to purchase now.

 

[avanpelt]

Pretty cool that they added the Items option server-side without an app update being required. I'm running 14.4.2, launched Find My, and initially just saw People, Devices, and Me. Then, after a second, Items appeared at the bottom. I force quit the app and then went back in and a "What's New" splash screen appeared explaining the new features.

 

[sdz]

Samsung already quietly released their smart tag tracker ahead of Apple and it’s available to purchase now.

Proper response to a typical apple junkie. Chapeau!

 

[Itinj24]

Proper response to a typical apple junkie. Chapeau!

I’m a big fan of the Apple ecosystem but what’s right is right. Samsung flat out beat Apple to this one.

 

[lk400]

I, for one, am glad we got 4 seperate posts on this same topic.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Can’t wait for this. I will only use an Apple tracking ecosystem and hardware to protect my privacy.

Countdown to Samsung knockoff in 3,2,1...

And you just know there are meetings all week at Facebook how they can create a similar system or hack into it to violate our privacy even more than they do. Poor, thirsty Facebook.

Samsung already has been knocked off.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Look forward finally seeing the rumored AirTags popup...

If it even is rumored.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

All we need is a full fledged “Find My” app on the Apple Watch and not just for people. The is one device that is the least likely to be removed from you. I don’t carry my iPad and/or MBP on a daily basis, I don’t always have a friend close by and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking a random stranger to borrow their device to help find mine. Imagine losing a backpack with your iPad, iPhone and a tracker in it? How great would it be to be able to use the Apple Watch to find it.

True, the Find My app on the Apple Watch only shows people, not devices. So that would be a good thing that Apple may add.

 

[Homme]

love how even third party for find my is even compatible for Mini 4 and Air 2

 

[Itinj24]

True, the Find My app on the Apple Watch only shows people, not devices. So that would be a good thing that Apple may add.

I was really hoping for it when the new “Find My” app was released a couple years ago. This gives new hope. It can’t hurt to have that kind of functionality.

 

[Marli]

If tile don’t get onboard it will be the end of them.

 

[Googlyhead]

Samsung already quietly released their smart tag tracker ahead of Apple and it’s available to purchase now.

I was interpreting the comment as a Samsung version of ‘tracking other items’ not the trackers themselves.
However, for all I know; there could already be such functionality, as I’m not too knowledgable about the Samsung implementation...

On a related note:
For the Apple version; I was somewhat hoping there would be some (reduced functionality) option to simply register any existing BT device, and take advantage of the Find My locationing. Not just have a program open to future applicants and devices.

 

[BvizioN]

I’m a big fan of the Apple ecosystem but what’s right is right. Samsung flat out beat Apple to this one.

Being first does not mean beating the competetion! Remember the rumored Apple Watch and how Samsung rushed with their Galaxy Watch releasing it first? Apple does never ever play the "me first" game. That game is for the competation.

 

[dschulian]

What about Beats products like the Solo3? Any chance they can be added?

 

[GadgetBen]

Is anyone else seeing Items appear already? I am here in the UK.

Not updated my iOS to any Beta

 

[skitidetdu]

Is anyone else seeing Items appear already? I am here in the UK.

Not updated my iOS to any Beta

Yep have the "items" menu on 14.4.2 iPhone. Now I just need som trackers...come on Apple!

 

[Dino F]

...same here - just noticed it in my app also, on my iPhone 12 with iOS 14.4

 

[Itinj24]

Being first does not mean beating the competetion! Remember the rumored Apple Watch and how Samsung rushed with their Galaxy Watch releasing it first? Apple does never ever play the "me first" game. That game is for the competation.

Absolutely. I never said Samsung is or will be better. Just stating that they beat Apple to the game. We’ve been hearing about AirTag rumors for two years already though lol. I’m sure Samsung heard the same rumors and got to work. So maybe in retrospect, it is a knockoff lol.