Create your own AirTag with OpenHaystack, but without the need to own an Apple device

Introduction

This project tries to unify several projects for simpler handling of custom BT-devices with Apple’s FindMy network. The goal is to run a headless MacOS without the need to have a real Mac and have to install mail plugins or openhaystack itself.

Dashboard

This is project is just a playground for checking technical feasibility and should not be used otherwise.

Included projects are (Credits goes to them for the hard work):

The original Openhaystack
- Android application
- ESP32 firmware
Biemster’s FindMy
- The standalone python webserver for fetching the FindMy reports
Positive security’s Find you
- ESP32 firmware customization for battery optimization
acalatrava’s OpenHaystack-Fimware alternative
- NRF5x firmware customization for battery optimization
Optional: Dockerized MacOS by Sickcodes
Optional: mac OS serial generator by Sickcodes

Changes to the original projects

Openhaystack

Stripped down to the mobile application (Android) and ESP32 firmware. ESP32 firmware combined with FindYou project and optimizations in power usage.

Biemster’s FindMy

Customization in keypair generator to output an array for the ESP32 firmware and a json for import in the Android application.

Instructions

Host: Set up your virtual or real MAC
Install python dependencies pip install cryptography argparse pyobjc six (pip command depends on your version and installation)
Host or MacOS-Guest: Run generate_keys.py (check the projects webserver-folder) to generate your key (e.g. ./generate_keys.py -p PREFIX). All files will be in output-folder (All keys as information, PREFIX_keyfile for ESP32 and PREFIX_devices.json for import in application)
Host: Install ESP32-firmware with your key or/and (see note)
Host: Install NRF5x-firmware with your key (see note)
Optional: Mobile: Install application
Optional: Host: Browse to Github Page (s. Notes on SSL usage)
Optional: Host: Browse to http://localhost:56443/
Mobile or Host: Import PREFIX_devices.json to your application

Note

In general, any OpenHaystack-compatible device or its firmware is also compatible with HeadlessHaystack (i.e. the ST17H66). Typically, only the Base64-encoded advertisement key is required, which can be found in the .keys file after key generation.