Program overview

What types of accessories, technologies, and components are part of the MFi Program?

The MFi Program includes third-party hardware accessories that use Apple's MFi licensed technology to connect electronically to Apple devices. MFi licensed technologies and components include the following:

Technologies

• AirPlay audio
• CarPlay
• GymKit
• HomeKit
• iPod Accessory Protocol (iAP), the protocol used to communicate with iPhone, iPad and iPod
• MFi Game Controller
• MFi Hearing Aid
• Wi-Fi Accessory Configuration (WAC)

Connectors and components

• Authentication coprocessors
• Headset Remote and Mic
• Lightning Audio Module
• Lightning Analog Headset Module
• Lightning to Headset Jack Adapter Module
• Lightning connectors and receptables
• Magnetic Charging Module
• Smart Connector

What types of accessories and technologies are not part of the MFi Program?

Accessories that do not use any of the MFi licensed technology listed above are not part of the MFi Program. For example:

• Accessories that use only standard Bluetooth profiles supported by iOS
• Accessories that use only Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (note: BLE-enabled HomeKit accessories and BLE-enabled MFi Hearing Aids are part of the MFi Program)
• Accessories that connect to an Apple device through the headphone jack and do not use any MFi licensed technology
• Non-electronic cases

Who should apply to the MFi Program?

Developers who wish to develop electronic accessories for iPhone, iPad or iPod using licensed technology should join the MFi Program. Companies, organizations, government entities and educational institutions are eligible to apply. For more information, please see the Who needs to join the MFi Program and Who does not need to join the MFi Program sections below.

What types of MFi Licenses are available?

There are 2 types of Licenses: a Development License and a Manufacturing License. Companies that plan to develop/help develop, but not manufacture, MFi accessories are eligible for the MFi Development License. Companies that plan to manufacture MFi accessories AND own a manufacturing facility are eligible for the MFi Manufacturing License. The following table describes the features of each License.

How does an MFi Development Licensee work with an MFi Manufacturing Licensee?

Once an MFi Development Licensee develops/prototypes an MFi accessory, they will work with one or more MFi Manufacturing Licensees who will manufacture the accessory. The MFi Manufacturing Licensee will be solely responsible for all program obligations associated with the Development Licensee's MFi accessories, as shown in the table above. To access the list of authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensees, click here.

Can you review my product concept and advise if I need to join the MFi Program?

If you intend to develop an electronic accessory which will connect to iPhone, iPad or iPod using proprietary technology, your company must join the MFi Program. Apple is unable to provide feedback regarding a product concept prior to joining the MFi Program.

What is the royalty associated with MFi accessories?

This information is only available under NDA. You will be able to review this information once your application for the MFi Manufacturing License has been approved.

Program enrollment

What will I need to apply for the MFi Program?

A registered legal entity name

Address for the company/organization's principal place of business or corporate headquarters (P.O. boxes are not accepted)

Company/organization domain name/e-mail address and Web site

A completed identity verification of your company by an Apple-specified third party

A valid credit card to purchase the identity verification

(For the MFi Manufacturing License) Ownership of a manufacturing facility

Am I eligible to apply for the MFi Manufacturing License if my company does not own a manufacturing facility?

No. The MFi Manufacturing License is intended solely for companies that own one or more manufacturing facilities.

What are the steps for enrolling in the MFi Program?

Go to the MFi Program Enrollment page

Follow the on-screen instructions for creating/registering a business Apple ID for use with MFi Program systems (please use a supported Web browser, Safari or Firefox, running on OS X v10.8 or later, or Windows 7 or later)

Complete the enrollment form, execute the online NDA, and submit the form

Purchase and complete identity verification through a secure third-party Web site using the unique URL provided by Apple

Once your identity verification is complete and your program application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions for reviewing/executing the MFi License

Execute the MFi License

Receive a welcome e-mail when the MFi License is counter-signed and executed by Apple

How can I check the status of my program enrollment? How long does it take to join the MFi Program?

Processing times may vary, depending on the volume of applications received. Once identity verification is complete, Apple begins reviewing applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete applications may delay the process.

Is there a program fee for participation in the MFi Program?

There is no program fee at this time. However, all program applicants must purchase and complete a company identity verification through a secure, third party Web-site.

How do I complete identity verification?

After you submit a completed enrollment form, you will be directed to a secure, third-party Web site to complete your identity verification.

Why do I need to complete identity verification? Is this required?

Yes. Identity verification is conducted to authenticate the existence and identity of your company/organization.

Who needs to join the MFi Program

My company wants to design/develop an MFi accessory and outsource manufacturing?

Yes. If you would like access to the MFi technical specifications and/or sample quantities of licensed components for the purpose of development, please apply for the MFi Development License. After License execution, you can work with an MFi Manufacturing Licensee who will manufacture the accessory and take responsibility for all program requirements on your company's behalf. To access the list of authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensees, click here.

My company is an engineering design firm/contractor that wants to develop MFi accessories for a client. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

Yes. If you would like access to the MFi technical specifications and/or sample quantities of licensed components for development purposes, please apply for the MFi Development License.

My company wants to manufacture electronic components/sub-assemblies for MFi accessories. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

Yes. Please apply for the MFi Development License. The MFi Manufacturing License is intended for companies who will manufacture MFi accessories as finished goods. The MFi Manufacturing Licensee will be solely responsible for procuring all MFi components.

My company wants to provide sub-contracting services to an MFi Manufacturing Licensee. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

Yes. Please apply for the MFi Development License.

My company/organization wants to develop MFi accessories for in-house use. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

Yes. If you would like access to the MFi technical specifications and/or sample quantities of licensed components for development purposes, please apply for the MFi Development License. After License execution, you can work with an MFi Manufacturing Licensee who will manufacture the accessory and take responsibility for all program requirements on your company's behalf. To access the list of authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensees, click here.

Who does not need to join the MFi Program

I want to develop cases for iPhone, iPad or iPod. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

No. If you intend to develop a case which does not connect electronically to iPhone, iPad or iPod using licensed technology, you do not need to join the MFi Program. For information regarding case development, please visit: http://developer.apple.com/resources/cases/.

I want to develop an accessory that communicates with an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

No. Accessories which connect to an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy/BLE/Bluetooth 4.0 or standard Bluetooth profiles supported by iOS are not part of the MFi Program.

I want to develop an iOS app that communicates with an MFi accessory. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

No. iOS app developers do not need to join the MFi Program. Everything app developers need is in the External Accessory Framework, which is provided in the iOS SDK. To access the iOS SDK, please join the iOS Developer Program: https://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/.

I want to source/sell MFi accessories as finished goods. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

No. You do not need to join the MFi Program in order to source and/or sell MFi accessories as finished goods. However, you must source MFi finished goods from an MFi Manufacturing Licensee. The Manufacturing Licensee will be authorized to develop/manufacture goods sold under your company's brand and will take responsibility for all program requirements on your company's behalf. The Manufacturing Licensee will also be authorized to include the MFi logo on the product packaging and user guide of your accessory, once it has completed the necessary program requirements. To access the list of authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensees, click here.

I want to develop an MFi accessory for personal use. Can I join the MFi Program?

No. We recommend that you use a third-party hobbyist solution which will allow you to connect iOS devices to serial devices and to write iOS apps that communicate with these serial devices.

I want to teach students about developing MFi accessories. Can I join the MFi Program?

No. The information shared under the MFi Program is Apple Confidential and not intended to be used in an academic setting.

Verifying Authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensees and Licensed Accessories

How can I verify if a manufacturer is an authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensee?

You may verify that a manufacturer is an authorized MFi Manufacturing Licensee by viewing the latest list of MFi Manufacturing Licensees. Manufacturing Licensees must opt in to be included in this list, which is updated periodically. To view the list, click here to execute an online NDA. Upon execution of the NDA, you will automatically be able to view the list.

How can I verify if an accessory that uses a Lightning connector is a licensed accessory?

Once a Lightning-based accessory has completed MFi self-certification requirements and is reported to Apple as sold/distributed by the manufacturer (this is done on a quarterly basis), it will be searchable in our public database of authorized Lightning-based MFi accessories.

How can I verify if an accessory that claims to support HomeKit is a licensed accessory?

Once a HomeKit-enabled accessory has completed MFi self-certification requirements and has been publicly announced by the developer, it will be visible on the HomeKit accessories page on the Apple Support Web site.

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