Apple’s ‘Find My’ Network to Use Millions of iPhones to Locate Lost Products, Accessories

Apple has expanded its Find My app to launch a new Find My network accessory program, as detailed in its iOS 14 press release and developer website.

“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,” explains Apple.

With the Find My network, Apple says its “hundreds of millions of Apple devices around the world” will let customers of companies locate their lost devices, even when offline. The new program is available to developers seeking to connect existing or new devices to the Find My network.

“Users can locate their items within the Find My app with the peace of mind that their privacy is protected,” says Apple. Essentially, third-party device makers will be able to integrate their product into the Find My network, therefore providing more incentive for an Apple customer to buy it, knowing if ever lost, it can be found via the Find My network.

Apple previously was expected to launch rumoured ‘AirTags’ at some point, similar to Tile trackers and leverage the Find My app, but they have yet to materialize. Apple’s new program is set to launch by the end of 2020 says Apple.