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Apple Find My Network Now Works with 3rd-Party Devices

By Laura Tucker
Apple Find My Featured

Apple loyalists have been waiting for the newest hardware releases, possibly including new iPad Pros, AirPods, and a new tracking device reportedly called Air Tags. Instead, Apple announced an extension of its Find My network. It will now work with third-party devices.

Find My Network Update

This all started out with the Find My iPhone app. Eventually, all Apple devices could be found on the app, and the name changed to “Find My.” This went along with the rumors of the AirTags tracking device and a lawsuit from Tile tracking devices. Apple had added messages to iOS that asked users to repeatedly agree to allow the Tile app to run in the background.

Apple’s Wednesday announcement is making it all come together. The company announced it had updated its Find My app, noting that third-party products could now be tracked on the Apple Find My network.

Apple Find My App

Not that you can track all third-party products that allow tracking – it has to be a product that has been built in an alliance with Apple. Three companies have already been announced as working with the Apple Find My Network: Belkin, Chipolo, and VanMoof.

It’s notable that Apple has amped up its privacy efforts with iOS 14. It’s forcing apps to alert users to the data it keeps on them and what they plan to do with it. These companies building products for Find My have to agree to the same. You’ll know in the future when you buy one of these products, as it will carry a “Works with Apple Find My” badge.

Apple Find My Chipolo

“For more than a decade, our customers have relied on Find My to locate their missing or stolen Apple devices, all while protecting their privacy,” said Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, Bob Borchers.

“Now we’re bringing the powerful finding capabilities of Find My, one of our most popular services, to more people with the Find My network accessory program. We’re thrilled to see how Belkin, Chipolo, and VanMoof are utilizing this technology and can’t wait to see what other partners create.”

Availability

Belkin’s initial product available for the Apple Find My Network is SOUNDFORM Freedom True Wireless Earbuds. Chipolo is bringing the ONE Spot item finder, and VanMoof is including its latest S3 and X3 e-bikes to the network. These products will start rolling out next week. The Find My app has already been updated.

Apple Find My Belkin

This is making things fall into place. While initially rumors placed the new Apple hardware rollout on March 23, it was then pushed back. Some sources have said it would be next week. No one is sure if AirTags will finally appear.

But wouldn’t it be great if Apple rolled out AirTags, iPad Pros, and the third-party products in the same week? This news makes me believe I’ll finally get my new iPad Pro next week.

Unsure how well Find My works? Read this report of the app finding an iMac after it was erased and sold.

Image Credit: Apple Newsroom

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Laura Tucker Avatar
Laura Tucker
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.

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