Remix.run Logo
Findphone: Locate a nearby Bluetooth device by signal strength(github.com)
13 points by helsinkiandrew 5 days ago | 10 comments
luma 4 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

If you have multiple fixed BLE receivers, you can do full trilateration. This project integrates into Home Assistant using HA proxy BLE receivers to track phones moving around in your house: https://github.com/agittins/bermuda

stuaxo 42 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

20 years ago I meant to write something like this, but so friends could find each other nearby in places like clubs.

ruskyhacker an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I thought unless an android or iPhone is beaconing, it only broadcasts ble on device wake?

Maybe I'm misremembering, but for example my esphome proxies in HA will show nothing for ages at night while my phone isn't being interacted with.

If the phone is lost, it's probably not super awake lol

HelloUsername an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Post inspired by "Lost my phone at the office. Claude suggested tracking Bluetooth signal strength" 07.aug.2026 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49215786 215 comments ?

glenjamin an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Weirdly Apple seems to have something like this built-in for finding an apple TV remote - but the same flow doesn't appear to be launchable for any other device

mschuster91 an hour ago | parent [-]

It works for newer AirTags as well, this isn't BLE based but Ultra Wideband.

That's an entirely different technology, and if you look at it from an RF lens, a highly impressive one.

bouk 35 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Bluetooth now has something that does this more accurately on a protocol level: https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enha...

ranger_danger 32 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Seems to be macOS only.

ck2 an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Now turn it into a pervert-glasses detector and tracker

Make your phone alert when one walks into a room within several meters

luma 7 minutes ago | parent [-]

Already exists, most of them advertise via BLE so you just need to watch for their adverts: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.pocketpc.ne...