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

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.
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

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.
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/.
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.