iBeacon MAC Address on iOS

When working with iBeacons on iOS, people often wonder if they can access the Bluetooth MAC address of nearby devices. The short answer is no. iOS does not provide an API for retrieving the MAC addresses of Bluetooth peripherals, including iBeacons, even though devices openly transmit this information. This restriction aligns with Apple’s strong privacy and security policies, which limit developers to using only the officially provided Beacon identifiers: UUID, major, and minor values.

Despite this limitation, some users may notice that a beacon’s MAC address is displayed in certain contexts, such as being printed on the device itself or visible within a manufacturer’s setup application. This raises the question how these apps access the MAC address when iOS does not allow it.

The answer lies in proprietary or non-standard mechanisms used by some manufacturers. These methods can include embedding the MAC address within extra custom advertising data or requiring an app to establish a connection with the beacon and retrieve custom settings that include the MAC address. However, since these approaches are not part of a Bluetooth standard nor part of Apple’s official APIs for iBeacon detection, they should not be relied upon for application development.

Relying on MAC addresses for identification can lead to issues. Different beacon models and manufacturers use different undocumented techniques, making it difficult to ensure long-term compatibility when second sourcing. Connecting to a beacon to get its MAC address adds an extra step that significantly complicates things and makes slower compared to just reading advertising with no connection.

Mechanisms used to expose MAC addresses are often undocumented. Any firmware update or change for later purchased beacons could change or remove these features without warning, making the approach unreliable for long-term solutions.

Apple’s privacy restrictions mean that app developers should focus on the standard iBeacon identification mechanisms to ensure stability, compatibility and compliance with iOS policies.

Auto-Adjusting Location Algorithm

A new study uses an indoor localisation system that integrates Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) with an Internet of Things (IoT) framework to improve accuracy in tracking individuals, particularly those with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. The system employs an auto-adjusting algorithm that dynamically optimises received signal strength indicator (RSSI) coefficients based on real-time environmental factors, leading to improved location estimation precision.

Existing systems relying on RSSI often suffer from inaccuracies due to environmental interferences, signal fluctuations, and the use of static coefficient assignments. To address these challenges, this study develops an auto-adjusting algorithm that dynamically selects coefficients based on RSSI classifications.


The system consists of a central unit, a Raspberry Pi, and BLE peripheral nodes that communicate wirelessly. It collects real-time RSSI data and applies a path loss model to estimate distances. A web interface was developed to facilitate real-time tracking and data visualisation. The system was tested in a healthcare environment with five rooms, comparing the performance of fixed coefficient models against the proposed dynamic approach.

The experimental results showed that using fixed coefficients in distance estimation led to an initial error of 28.03%. By implementing the auto-adjusting algorithm, the error was reduced to 8%, while the maximum localisation error was decreased to 2.01 meters. Additionally, the system demonstrated high energy efficiency, with BLE peripherals operating for approximately 499 hours on a standard 230 mAh battery, reinforcing its suitability for IoT applications.

One of the main advantages of the auto-adjusting algorithm is its ability to dynamically adapt parameters. The system adjusts the path loss exponent (n) and reference signal strength (A) based on real-time RSSI classifications, improving accuracy significantly. This approach minimises localisation inaccuracies by continuously recalibrating signal strength values. The system is also energy-efficient, making it ideal for continuous tracking in various environments. Additionally, it is scalable and can be integrated with other indoor positioning systems such as Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Wi-Fi.

The system achieves higher accuracy, maintaining a maximum error of only 2.01 meters compared to fixed coefficient models. Additionally, the BLE-based approach ensures long battery life and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for healthcare and security applications. Compared to previous studies, the proposed algorithm proved more reliable for positioning in real-world environments.

Espressif ESP32 Bluetooth Vulnerability

A newly discovered vulnerability in Espressif’s widely used ESP32 Bluetooth chips, identified as CVE-2025-27840, has raised security concerns across the IoT industry. The flaw stems from 29 undocumented commands within the chip’s Bluetooth Host Controller Interface (HCI), which could enable attackers to spoof trusted devices, access data without authorisation, pivot to other devices and establish long-term persistence.

With a CVSS score of 6.8, the risk is categorised as “medium,” but given the vast number of devices using the ESP32 chip, ranging from smart home gadgets to medical equipment, the potential impact is substantial. Exploiting this flaw generally requires physical access to a device’s USB or UART interface, somewhat limiting the attack scope. However, attackers could still conduct impersonation attacks, bypass security audits, and permanently compromise sensitive devices.

Espressif has acknowledged the issue and pledged to release a software patch while documenting all vendor-specific HCI commands to improve transparency. In the meantime, security experts recommend conducting audits, implementing additional safeguards, monitoring Bluetooth activity and staying updated on Espressif’s patches.

Faraday RF-Shield Bags

We have Faraday Radio Frequency RF shield nylon bags in stock. Faraday bags can be very useful during development when you want to bring beacons in and out of range or need to hide development beacons. They are also useful during setup when you want to shield un-commissioned beacons temporarily.

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The bags we sell are high spec and were originally designed for military, intelligence and police agencies to prevent seized devices from being remotely altered. They shield WiFi, Bluetooth and phone signals. They can also be used with phones and tablets for personal anti-radiation health reasons, preventing tracking or avoiding communication when you don’t want to be interrupted.

Game-Based Museum Inquiry Learning Using Beacons

New research explores the use of game-based inquiry learning in a maritime science museum, integrating emerging technologies to enhance visitors’ learning experiences. The study introduces MUSEON, an ontology-driven game-based learning (GBL) application designed to engage visitors in guided inquiry activities about museum exhibits.

Beacons were used to enhance the contextual awareness of the learning experience. BLE beacons were strategically placed around the museum to detect visitors’ locations and provide relevant inquiry tasks and hints based on their proximity to exhibits. When a visitor entered a beacon’s range, the MUSEON application activated corresponding learning tasks, helping users engage with exhibits in an interactive and structured manner. The beacons ensured that visitors received context-specific content, allowing them to explore the exhibits dynamically rather than passively. By integrating BLE beacons with an ontology-driven learning approach, the study demonstrated how emerging technology can support situated learning and improve engagement in museum environments.


The findings indicate that visitors using MUSEON had a more engaging and effective learning experience, with 71.6% of participants expressing satisfaction with the game-based approach. The experimental group also outperformed the control group in learning assessments, scoring an average of 74.6% compared to 56.4%. The study highlights the potential of using context-aware technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, to facilitate location-based inquiry learning in informal educational environments like museums.

Beacon Compatibility

We previously wrote a bit about beacon compatibility where we concluded that phone compatibility is more of an issue than beacon compatibility and that you might choose an Apple MFi certified beacon if you wanted additional assurance. However, what does MFi mean?

Certified beacons meet Apple’s beacon specifications. There was a time that these specifications were secret and only available to MFi partners. However, these have since become available after you have ok’d an agreement. If you wish to view them, go to the iBeacon for Developers web page and click on Download Artwork and Specifications.

Bluetooth Technology is Driving IIoT

Bluetooth technology is playing a transformative role in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), facilitating the digitisation and networking of manufacturing operations to address economic, supply chain and regulatory challenges. This wireless technology enables comprehensive data collection, monitoring, and analysis across interconnected devices, which are critical to the automation and efficiency goals of Industry 4.0.

Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology has growing importance in industrial settings. According to the 2023 Wireless Connectivity Market Analysis by Techno Systems Research and ABI Research, the market for Bluetooth-enabled industrial devices is projected to grow significantly, from 143 million annual unit shipments in 2023 to over 611 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34%. Real-time location systems (RTLS) and asset tracking represent the largest market opportunity due to the availability of low-cost Bluetooth LE tags offering high-accuracy location services.

The second-largest growth area is commercial building automation, which is forecast to expand rapidly, from 8.5 million unit shipments in 2022 to over 135 million by 2028. Other notable markets include Bluetooth LE condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, expected to reach 7 million and nearly 10 million annual unit shipments respectively by 2028.

Robotics is another significant area of opportunity, where Bluetooth LE is enabling autonomous navigation and robot-to-robot communication. Mobile robots, in particular, stand out as they can relay crucial operational data such as position, load, and battery levels, while also allowing for dynamic updates to tasks and routes via Bluetooth-connected devices.

Key advantages of Bluetooth technology in industrial applications include its low power consumption, resilience to interference, robustness, and integration with existing mobile, computing, and IoT infrastructure. Its ability to provide real-time insights into factory operations through extensive data collection, combined with advanced wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) technologies, facilitates improved decision-making and operational adaptability.

This technological advancement extends beyond operations, linking the design and manufacturing processes. By connecting tools like CAD directly to machine tools, Bluetooth enables seamless communication to streamline production, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance product design for simpler manufacturing. These capabilities yield higher productivity, reduced product failures, cost savings, and environmental benefits, revolutionising not only how products are made but also how factories are managed and adapted.

New BluetoothLEView by NirSoft

NirSoft has released a new application for Windows called BluetoothLEView. This lightweight tool is a standalone .exe file that does not require installation, making it easy to use on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

BluetoothLEView detects and monitors nearby Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) devices, including beacons. It displays detailed information such as the device’s MAC Address, Name, Signal Strength in dBm (RSSI), Manufacturer ID, Manufacturer Name, Service UUID, first and last detection times, the number of times the device has been detected and more.

To use BluetoothLEView, your PC or laptop must have an internal Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth LE. You can check if your system is compatible by opening Device Manager, selecting Bluetooth, and looking for “Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator” in the list of devices.

If your computer does not have an internal adapter, you can plug in an inexpensive USB Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth Low Energy.

How Beacons Revolutionise Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Logistics and supply chain operations are constantly seeking innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and security. Beacons have emerged as a transformative solution, enabling a range of applications across the industry. Here, we explore how beacons are revolutionising logistics and supply chain management.

Real-Time Asset Tracking

Beacons allow for the seamless tracking of assets, ranging from raw materials to finished products, as they navigate through the supply chain. This real-time visibility helps organisations monitor the location and movement of shipments, optimise logistics processes and mitigate risks of loss or misplacement. By providing continuous updates, businesses can make more informed decisions and ensure the smooth flow of goods.

Enhanced Inventory Management

Inventory accuracy is a critical component of supply chain efficiency, and beacons play a key role in automating stock level monitoring. By reducing reliance on manual checks, they provide up-to-date insights into inventory levels, enabling businesses to reorder efficiently and avoid issues like stockouts or overstocking. This automation not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces costs.

Safeguarding Perishable Goods

For goods that are sensitive to environmental conditions, such as food or pharmaceuticals, beacons equipped with sensors monitor variables like temperature, humidity and light exposure. This ensures that items remain within safe conditions throughout their journey, maintaining quality and compliance with industry standards. Such monitoring is particularly vital for the cold chain, where temperature control is paramount.

Warehouse Optimisation

Within warehouses, beacons track the precise location of items, simplifying the process of locating goods and optimising storage layouts. By automating stocktaking and improving workflow, beacons reduce the time spent searching for items and enhance overall warehouse efficiency. This leads to faster order fulfilment and better resource management.

Improved Fleet Management

Beacons also bring significant advantages to fleet management by tracking the position and condition of vehicles in real-time. This data allows logistics managers to optimise routes, improve dispatch accuracy, and maximise vehicle utilisation. Enhanced visibility of fleet operations translates into cost savings and improved delivery performance.

Predictive Maintenance for Equipment

The health of equipment such as forklifts, cranes and conveyor belts is crucial for uninterrupted operations. Beacons monitor key metrics related to equipment performance, enabling predictive maintenance that prevents breakdowns. By receiving timely alerts when maintenance is due, companies can reduce downtime and extend the life of their machinery.

Ensuring Worker Safety

In large logistics facilities, beacons are used to monitor the location of personnel. This allows managers to identify potential hazards and respond to incidents promptly. By providing alerts when workers enter restricted or high-risk areas, beacons contribute to a safer work environment and help mitigate accidents.

Supporting Cold Chain Logistics

Cold chain logistics, essential for products like food and medicine, relies heavily on temperature control. Beacons provide continuous environmental monitoring, ensuring that goods are stored and transported under the correct conditions. This safeguards product quality and maintains compliance with stringent industry standards.

Enhancing Cargo Security

Cargo security is a top priority in logistics, and beacons offer robust solutions by tracking goods within secure zones and sending alerts if items are moved without authorisation. This level of monitoring reduces the risk of theft and bolsters security protocols, particularly for high-value shipments.

Using Support Vector Regression (SVR) with Beacons

A new study (pdf) explores optimising Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon-based indoor positioning systems using support vector regression (SVR). It addresses the challenge of accurately identifying building occupants’ locations in real time, a critical requirement for applications such as emergency evacuations and asset tracking. Traditional methods, including trilateration and RSSI-based techniques, can face limitations like signal interference and non-line-of-sight issues.

The research adopts a fingerprinting method that uses pre-trained SVR models to improve positioning accuracy. BLE beacons, which are cost-effective and energy-efficient, were deployed across a controlled environment, and extensive RSSI data was collected and pre-processed. The model’s hyperparameters were fine-tuned to achieve optimal performance. Experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in accuracy, with the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) recorded as 0.9168 feet.

The findings underscore the potential of machine learning, particularly SVR, in enhancing the reliability of indoor positioning systems. This study provides a benchmark for future research, highlighting its practical applications in emergency scenarios and the advantages of BLE technology in such implementations.