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Apple and Google "Find My" technologies and supported modules

droberson

Hello,

We are in the feasibility stage of a product that requires integration of both the Apple "Find My" and Google "Find My Device" technologies.

Based on my research, it looks like the only Nordic BLE modules that support both of these technologies are:

  • nRF52832
  • nRF52840
  • nRF54L15

Some BLE modules support one or the other, but not both. Such as:

  • nRF5340 (Google Find My Device)
  • nRF52833 (Apple Find My Network)

Source for Google "Find My Device": https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Technologies/Find-my-Device

Source for Apple "Find My": https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Technologies/Apple-Find-My-network

I have a few questions:

1. What is the limiting factor that allows the nRF5340 to support Google's "Find My Device" but not Apple's "Find My" technologies?

2. As long as the module has BLE support, the only limiting factor should be flash and RAM, correct? If not, what are the other limiting factors?

3. What is the minimum flash and RAM required to implement a simple tracker that supports both Google "Find My Device" and Apple "Find My" technologies? Ie, what is the minimum memory footprint (flash and RAM) of enabling support for these technologies in the nRF Connect SDK?

4. Is there anything stopping someone from implementing both of these technologies on a nRF52820 for example (Something not on the supported products list)? If so, what?

Thanks,

Derek

  • 0

    Hi,

    nRF5340's maximum tx power is 3dbm and this can't meet Apple Find my's spec.

    I think nRF52820 does not have enough flash size to implement dual bank OTA. 

  • +1

    Hi Derek,

    Sorry for the delay..

    1. What is the limiting factor that allows the nRF5340 to support Google's "Find My Device" but not Apple's "Find My" technologies?

    Apple has some additional requirements that the nRF5340 doesn't meet and that is described in the FMN spec and in the FMN SDK, basically you need a FEM to use the nRF5340 for FMN. The device itself supports it and the code for implementing it available, just add the FEM (PA is what is needed).

    As long as the module has BLE support, the only limiting factor should be flash and RAM, correct? If not, what are the other limiting factors?

    Yes, Memory is the primary restriction for using FMN and/or FMD. Other limiting factors might be there which can only be evaluated once we have a clear idea on the application.

    What is the minimum flash and RAM required to implement a simple tracker that supports both Google "Find My Device" and Apple "Find My" technologies?

    Minimum device for a simple single network tracker is the nRF52832 with 512kB flash.

    Is there anything stopping someone from implementing both of these technologies on a nRF52820 for example

    The nRF52820 can not run FMD or FMN due to lack of memory (flash and ram are both too small). For a dual network support without external memory, the current minimum is the nRF52840 but we are looking at other options for later. With external memory you can use the nRF52832 again, external memory will then only be used for DFU. 

    Regards,

    Swathy

  • 0 in reply to billtsai

    Hello billtsai,

    Thanks for the reply! Ah, I see. I wasn't able to find the specifications for the Apply Find My technology without signing up for a MFi account until yesterday. I still haven't signed up, but I found an outdated PDF version online. It's interesting that Apple doesn't make the high-level requirements publicly available without jumping through hoops, unless I missed it somewhere. Especially for people who just want to evaluate the technology.

    It looks like Apple requires +8 dBm output power from what I have inferred. Google doesn't have a definitive requirements on this from what I have read other than "Provider devices should advertise at a low transmit power (TxPower) to limit exposure of the advertised device. However, the power shall be high enough such that the advertisement is visible by any phone at least 1 meter away"

    So that makes sense. The nRF5340 is +3 dBm and requires a front-end module to boost the output if you want to use that for Apple. Otherwise, the nRF52832, nRF52840, and nRF54L15 all have +8 dBm output power and should work for both Apple and Google.

    Edit: To your point, Apple also requires support for DFU (Firmware OTA). Google doesn't seem to require it, but suggests it "should" support it. I didn't know this at the time.

    Thanks!

    Derek

  • 0 in reply to SwRa

    Hello SwRa,

    Thanks for your reply! I will use the nRF52840 as a benchmark without external memory. I have also finally found the spec for Apple and Google Find My technologies which also helps. These tracker devices are quite a bit more complicated than I anticipated from a requirements standpoint.

    Thanks!

    Derek

  • 0 in reply to droberson

    Hello Derek,

    If you intend to use the stock SDKs - then yes, the nRF52840 is the way to go. You will also need to figure out a cross platform DFU solution and a few other items (like the DULT standard compatibility) if you intend to integrate both Apple Find My and Google's Find My Device in one product.

    With the specifications on hand - take a closer look at the requirements and review them in regards to your intended use case, to make sure it will be compliant from the specifications and safety standpoint.

    If you want to save yourself significant effort - feel free to shoot me an email or reach out to [email protected]
    We may be able to help, as we've already been through that path and we have a few solutions that could make your time to market much faster.

    You can also take a look at our profile on the Nordic Partner Program here.

    BR,

    Paweł

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