Apple Has Quietly Equipped Its Latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs With a Thread Radio [Report]

Apple has quietly added a Thread radio to iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices released since September 2023, The Verge has discovered.

Thread is a low-power and low-latency wireless mesh networking protocol for smart home devices that aims to solve IoT complexities, addressing challenges such as interoperability, range, security, energy, and reliability. Currently, Apple's HomePod mini, HomePod, and Apple TV can act as a smart home hub with support for Matter over Thread.

The site says it's found evidence of Thread testing in FCC filings for the following devices, in addition to the iPhone 15 Pro/Max:
● iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
● iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
● iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) (Wi-Fi)
● iPad Air 11-inch (M2) (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
● iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi
● MacBook Air 15-inch (M3)
● MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3)
● MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Pro or M3 Max)
● MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Pro or M3 Max)
● iMac (M3, two ports)
● iMac (M3, four ports)


The reports we found are tests of the IEEE 802.15.4 transmitter functionality — 802.15.4 is the radio standard Thread runs on. While it supports a number of technologies, the reports mention Thread explicitly.

The Thread radio is not listed on Apple's product specification pages; however, the FCC requires that manufacturers list and test every radio contained in a device.

Apple's move to include Thread radios in iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices could allow those devices to act as Thread border routers in the future. Alternatively, they could introduce the ability for Macs and iPads (once again) to function as home hubs.

The company has yet to comment on the discovery, but you can download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates!