iOS17.x Finder Devices broken – major bug – testers needed!
To get & keep Apple's FindMy network running, it needs so called "Finder Devices" – namely iPhones and iPads – that send encrypted packages including location and battery data to Apple's server whenever they "see" other devices around them. Every Apple product uses BLE to advertise themself so Finder Devices can "see" them and report their location.
Owners can then – using the FindMy app – request packages for their devices (such as MacBooks, iPhones or AirTags), decrypt them and show information about them – e.g. "last seen" of AirTags bound to hand bags or unicorn air mattresses. This has been working great in urban areas because of many Finder Devices being around. One of Apple's greatest ideas in the past years.
Unfortunately, update interval and accuracy of objects in FindMy app have become worse and worse past weeks and months. Simple reason: devices having iOS17.x are not sending report packages to Apple's server anymore!
As there are literally millions of AirTags, AirPods and iPhones around and I cannot believe that this was made on purpose: it must be a major bug that came introducing iOS17.
Most of you will say: nah, it is working for me, see here, no problem. But that's just because there are still many old Finder Devices around. More and more people will turn off their old bricks and put them into a box under their bed. Or update to iOS17. Both adding to the inevitable result: the FindMy network getting weaker and weaker every day.
I have already filed a bug report 2 weeks ago, but have not received any response yet. Sure, Apple is a big company, I am just a small light. To prove my steep thesis, I cordially invite you to test it on your own. If you get same results and report this to Apple, it would surely help to wake them up. Or show how feeble-minded I am. I’d be happy with both!
Be aware that making a serious test will not be easy for many of you, because of the dense area filled with old Apple devices. So if you live outside in the country or have lots of lonely land around you, please try:
Get an iPhone with iOS16.x installed, enable bluetooth, ensure internet access.
Get an AirTag of a friend – he being away at least a few 100 m (better 1 km, the AirTag must be in "lost" mode) – watching his phone (FindMy) having internet.
Get an iPhone with iOS17.x installed, disable bluetooth, ensure internet access.
Put both phones right beside the friends AirTag.
Let your friend WhatsApp you whenever the status of his AirTag gets updated. This will happen every couple of minutes.
Turn off bluetooth on iOS16, turn on bluetooth on iOS17.
You will no longer get messages from your friend, maybe because he is annoyed but most likely because the status of his AirTag will not update. For hours. For days.
Until you enable bluetooth on your iOS16 phone again.
Conclusion: Apple, we have a serious problem!
I have filed a bug report: FB13567801
