go-haystack: Track Devices with Apple's Find My Network, No Apple Hardware Needed

Introduction

go-haystack is an exciting open-source project that empowers you to track your personal Bluetooth devices using Apple's vast "Find My" network. It achieves this by integrating with OpenHaystack and Macless-Haystack, offering a suite of tools written in Go and TinyGo. The most compelling feature is its ability to set up a custom Find My network entirely without the need for any Apple hardware.

The project allows you to build your own beacons using TinyGo firmware, compatible with various nRF-based boards and even Linux systems like Raspberry Pi. Additionally, go-haystack includes TinyScan, a hardware scanner for local devices, providing a complete solution for personal device tracking.

Installation

To get go-haystack up and running, you'll need to follow a few steps, including setting up supporting services.

Apple ID

You must have an Apple ID with 2FA enabled. Note that only SMS/text message as a second factor is currently supported.

anisette-v3-server

Start the anisette-v3-server using Docker:

docker network create mh-network
docker run -d --restart always --name anisette -p 6969:6969 --volume anisette-v3_data:/home/Alcoholic/.config/anisette-v3 --network mh-network dadoum/anisette-v3-server

macless-haystack

1. Start and set up your Macless Haystack endpoint in interactive mode:

   docker run -it --restart unless-stopped --name macless-haystack -p 6176:6176 --volume mh_data:/app/endpoint/data --network mh-network christld/macless-haystack
   

   You will be prompted for your Apple ID, password, and 2FA. Once you see serving at port 6176 over HTTP, the setup is complete. Hit ctrl-C to exit the process.
2. Restart the macless-haystack server:

   docker restart macless-haystack
   

   For more details, refer to the original Macless-Haystack instructions.

go-haystack

Install the go-haystack command-line tool:

go install github.com/hybridgroup/go-haystack/cmd/haystack@latest

Examples

Once installed, go-haystack provides simple commands for scanning and managing your devices.

Scanning for local devices

To scan for any local devices within range, use the scan command:

haystack scan

This will return a list of nearby devices, including their MAC addresses, RSSI values, and battery status.

Adding a new device

1. Generate keys for your new device:

   haystack keys DEVICENAME
   

   Replace DEVICENAME with your desired name for the device. This command will create DEVICENAME.keys and DEVICENAME.json files.
2. Flash the hardware with the TinyGo target and your device's name:

   haystack flash DEVICENAME nano-rp2040
   

   This command compiles the TinyGo firmware with your generated keys and flashes it to the specified device. For more information on TinyGo, visit https://tinygo.org/getting-started/overview/.
3. Upload the device's JSON configuration to macless-haystack: Navigate your web browser to https://dchristl.github.io/macless-haystack/. This is a single-page web application that interacts with your local macless-haystack instance. Click on "Accessories," then the "+" button, and select the DEVICENAME.json file you generated earlier.

Your device is now set up! It might take some time for the first data to appear in the Macless-Haystack web UI as your device needs to be in range of an iPhone to be picked up by the Find My network.

Why Use go-haystack?

go-haystack offers a unique and powerful solution for personal device tracking. Its primary advantage is the ability to leverage Apple's robust "Find My" network without needing any Apple hardware, making it accessible to a broader audience. The use of Go and TinyGo ensures efficient, performant, and resource-friendly applications, ideal for embedded systems and microcontrollers. This project provides a customizable and open-source alternative for those interested in building their own tracking beacons, offering greater control and privacy over their personal devices.

Links

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/hybridgroup/go-haystack
• OpenHaystack: https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack
• Macless-Haystack: https://github.com/dchristl/macless-haystack
• TinyGo: https://tinygo.org/
• Macless-Haystack Web UI: https://dchristl.github.io/macless-haystack/