OpenHaystack

OpenHaystack is a framework designed for tracking personal Bluetooth devices through Apple Find My network. It lets you create custom tracking tags that can be attached to physical objects (key rings, backpacks, etc.) or built into other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as laptops. The tool retrieves encrypted location reports from Apple's servers and decrypts them locally to show approximate locations.

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• Key generation. OpenHaystack can create unique cryptographic key pairs for devices. These keys are used to identify and track devices in the Find My network. The generation process is based on cryptographic algorithms compatible with Apple's system.
• Importing existing keys. The tool lets you load previously generated keys. This is useful if you already have a tag configured and want to manage it from OpenHaystack.
• Exporting keys. Generated keys can be exported in formats compatible with other systems. This makes it easier to integrate with device management tools or to create backups.
• Location monitoring. OpenHaystack connects to Apple's servers to receive updates on the location of linked devices. The data is displayed on a map with approximate coordinates.
• Movement notifications. The tool can alert you when a device changes location. This works by comparing coordinates at configurable time intervals.
• Offline mode. OpenHaystack stores the last known locations locally. This lets you view information even without an internet connection.
• Update interval settings. You can adjust how often the device location is requested. This balances resource usage and tracking accuracy.
• Multiple device support. The tool manages several devices at the same time. Each one is identified by a customizable label for easy recognition.
• Location history. OpenHaystack keeps a chronological record of the retrieved coordinates. This history can be exported for later analysis.
• External hardware integration. The tool supports the use of Bluetooth Low Energy devices as location beacons. This expands tracking possibilities in specific environments.

OpenHaystack was originally developed by researchers at the Secure Mobile Networking Lab (SEEMOO) at TU Darmstadt. The project was released in 2021 as an open-source implementation to study how the Find My network works. The main application is written in Swift and uses Apple frameworks to interact with its services. The project has been actively maintained, with updates that improve its compatibility with changes in Apple's protocols.