Apple patents secure wireless wake-up using hidden keys
Apple describes a method where a device uses a special chip to create a secret code that stays hidden from the main processor. A low-power radio constantly listens for this code in wireless signals to verify the sender's identity. Once the correct code is detected, the device wakes up its main processor to perform specific tasks.
In the filing’s own words
Techniques are disclosed relating to securely provisioning key material used to establish an authenticated communication. In some embodiments, a computing device includes a cryptographic circuit coupled to a secure memory inaccessible to a processor of the computing device. The cryptographic circuit is configured to derive a shared secret using key material maintained in the secure memory. A wireless radio circuit of the computing device is configured to repeatedly listen for a wireless communication including the shared secret. The computing device then performs one or more actions in response to the wireless radio circuit detecting the wireless communication including the shared secret. In some embodiments, the wireless radio circuit listens for the wireless communication while the processor is in a reduced power state and, in response to detecting the shared secret in the wireless communication, causes the processor to exit the reduced power state.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computing device, comprising: a processor; a cryptographic circuit coupled to a secure memory inaccessible to the processor, wherein the cryptographic circuit is configured to: derive a shared secret using key material maintained in the secure memory; a first wireless radio circuit configured to: repeatedly listen for a wireless communication including the shared secret; and memory accessible to the processor and having program instructions stored therein that are executable by the processor to: perform one or more actions in response to the first wireless radio circuit detecting the wireless communication including the shared secret.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Secure Exchange Secret
- Publication number
- US20260261405A1
- Application number
- 19451648
- Filed
- Jan 16, 2026
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 9/0838 Electricity & electronicsH04L 9/3263 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Security & privacy
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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.