With iOS 14, Apple is set to expand the use of the Find My app by finally allow the integration of third-party tracking devices such as those from Tile via a new accessory program.
Apple is rumored to be working on tracking devices of its own
Apple replaced Find My Friends with iOS 13, giving way to the Find My app that combined the Find My Friends and Find My iPhone apps. It was limited to solely Apple products, however. Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods would all have their location highlighted in the app. But iOS 14 now brings that to third-party gear.
The new Find My network accessory program allows any other important items to show within the Find My app which can include anything from object trackers such as Tile or any other devices that can be integrated into the platform. Apple hasn't noted one way or the other, but it is likely many types of devices could be included here such as remotes, portable speakers, et cetera.
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.
Apple says the first release of the Find My network accessory program spec is available now and will launch of users this fall with iOS 14.
It has been rumored for a long while that Apple is developing its own tracking solution for other objects, similar to Tile's approach.