Apple patents way to spot if a lost item tracker is following you
Apple describes a system where a phone can tell if a nearby tracking device is trying to follow it by analyzing specific data in short-range signals. If the phone suspects unwanted tracking, it can request a partial ID from the tracker to help identify the owner's account. The phone can also find instructions on how to disable the tracker's tracking features.
In the filing’s own words
Portable electronic devices can be used to perform tracking functionality through the exchange of proximity messages. Based on the payload in these messages, a mobile device can detect whether a portable electronic device is likely performing unwanted tracking. The mobile device user may wish to identify an account that is associated with the portable device. In response to a request from the mobile device, the portable electronic device can provide a partial identifier that can be used to determine an associated account. The portable electronic device can also provide information that the mobile device can use to locate disablement instructions that can show how to stop the portable device from performing tracking functionality.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method implemented by a portable electronic device having a wireless short-range communication circuit: transmitting, by the portable electronic device to a mobile device, a first proximity message, wherein the portable electronic device is a portable tracking electronic device, wherein the first proximity message transmitted by the portable electronic device comprises a protocol identifier and a first derived hardware address, the protocol identifier specifying a derivation function used to generate the first derived hardware address, and wherein the first derived hardware address in the first proximity message is generated, by the derivation function, using a private key and first timing information; receiving a first reply from the mobile device that is paired with the portable electronic device; and transmitting a second proximity message comprising the protocol identifier and a second derived hardware address, wherein the second derived hardware address is generated, by the derivation function, using the private key and second timing information.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Differentiating own accessories from those of others
- Patent number
- US12750662B2
- Application number
- 18637105
- Filed
- Apr 16, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04W 12/04 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/121 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Security & privacy
- Apple patents eye-area scans that use 3D shadows for security Oct 13, 2026
- Apple patents eye-tracking to unlock nearby devices automatically Sep 24, 2026
- Apple patents eye-based guest mode for shared devices Sep 8, 2026
- Apple patents call screen that hides sensitive images before you answer Sep 15, 2026
- Apple patents secure app verification using built-in hardware keys Sep 22, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.