MFi (Made for iPhone), Apple accessory certification
The MFi Program is a private licence from Apple, not a regulation. It gives member companies the specifications, components, certification tools and badge artwork needed to build electronic accessories that connect to iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple Watch through Apple licensed technologies. Most of what happens inside the programme (specifications, test procedures, royalties, part numbers, MFi badge rules) is Apple Confidential and released only under NDA. This guide therefore sticks to what Apple publishes: the MFi pages at mfi.apple.com, the Accessory Design Guidelines (Release R31, dated September 21, 2026), the Apple Home and Find My developer pages, the Works with Apple Home badge guidelines and Apple Newsroom. It shows which products need MFi and which do not, what joining costs, how the four certification steps run, and which claims about MFi these documents contradict.
What Apple publishes, and what stays under NDA
Section titled “What Apple publishes, and what stays under NDA”| Topic | Public? | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Annual programme fee | Yes, USD 99 per membership year plus taxes and fees | MFi FAQ, enrolment help |
| Royalty on MFi accessories | No, "only available under NDA" after approval | MFi FAQ |
| List of licensed technologies and components | Yes | How the Program Works, MFi FAQ |
| Who must join and who does not | Yes | Who needs to join, MFi FAQ |
| The four certification steps | Yes, at a high level | How the Program Works |
| Accessory Interface Specification, test tools | No, MFi members only | Accessory Design Guidelines, section 3.8 |
| List of authorized MFi manufacturers | After an online NDA | MFi FAQ |
| Licensed accessories search | Yes | mfi.apple.com accessory search |
| HomeKit Accessory Protocol | Non-commercial version public; commercial use needs MFi | Apple Home developer page |
| Works with Apple Home badge rules for Matter | Yes | Works with Apple Home badge guidelines |
| Mechanical, electrical, RF and MagSafe attach guidance | Yes | Accessory Design Guidelines R31 |
Apple also states that it "is unable to provide feedback regarding a product concept prior to joining the MFi Program". There is no informal pre-check: a company that thinks it needs MFi joins first and reads the specifications afterwards.
Licensed technologies and components
Section titled “Licensed technologies and components”The How the Program Works page and the MFi FAQ give the same two lists.
| MFi licensed technologies | MFi licensed components |
|---|---|
| AirPlay audio | Apple Watch Fast Charger Module |
| Car Keys | Audio Accessory Module Plus |
| CarPlay | Authentication coprocessors |
| DockKit | Headset Remote and Mic (Transmitter) |
| Find My network | Lightning Analog Headset Module |
| HomeKit | Lightning to Headset Jack Adapter Module |
| iPhone/iPad/iPod Accessory Protocol (iAP2) | Lightning connectors and receptacles |
| MFi Game Controller | |
| MFi Hearing Aid | |
| Wi-Fi Accessory Configuration (WAC) |
Three things are absent from these lists and are often attributed to MFi: MagSafe, Apple Vision Pro accessories and AirPlay video. MagSafe accessories are covered by the public Accessory Design Guidelines (section 42, MagSafe Attach, and section 37, Device Power (Inductive)). Spatial accessories for Apple Vision Pro are described in section 20 of the same guidelines (supported from visionOS 27.0, Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 or later, HID, an IMU and an LED constellation) without an MFi requirement in that section. AirPlay appears in MFi only as "AirPlay audio".
Who must join, and who does not
Section titled “Who must join, and who does not”Roles inside the programme
Section titled “Roles inside the programme”The FAQ lists seven roles: accessory developer or brand owner taking responsibility for certification, brand owner tracking certification of accessories bearing its brand, contract manufacturer (CM) or ODM, sub-assembly manufacturer, manufacturer doing final assembly for its own accessories, software provider submitting certification materials for another licensee, and technology provider (chipsets, design services, software authentication services).
Any company that will manufacture MFi accessories or procure MFi components "must order and complete an MFi System Review" to verify that its inventory management and financial reporting systems meet programme requirements. A brand owner that does not manufacture can have an authorized MFi licensee build the product; the list of authorized manufacturers is visible after an online NDA.
Products outside MFi
Section titled “Products outside MFi”| Product | MFi? | What Apple says |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C charging accessory, USB Device Class accessory | No | Outside MFi when no licensed technology or component is used; see the Accessory Design Guidelines |
| Accessory implementing iAP2 over USB | Yes | Explicit exception in the FAQ |
| Vehicle supporting CarPlay over USB | Yes | Explicit exception in the FAQ |
| Accessory with an integrated Lightning connector | Yes | Lightning connectors are an MFi component; ADG section 36 requires membership |
| Accessory using only standard Bluetooth profiles, Core Bluetooth or BLE | No | Except BLE HomeKit accessories and BLE MFi hearing aids |
| Bluetooth Classic accessory using iAP | Yes | Apple accessories page |
| Headphone-jack accessory with no licensed technology | No | MFi FAQ |
| Cases, folios, watch bands | No | Non-electronic accessories; follow the Accessory Design Guidelines |
| Distributors and resellers of finished goods | No | Must source from an authorized MFi manufacturer |
| Apple Pay VAS terminals, Apple Wallet Access Program keys and badges | No | Separate Apple programmes |
| Individuals, schools using the specifications for teaching | No | Specifications are Apple Confidential |
Joining and the four certification steps
Section titled “Joining and the four certification steps”Enrolment
Section titled “Enrolment”The MFi Program Enrolment help page describes the form: an Apple Account tied to a business email address, company contact details, D-U-N-S number, a tax identification number where the country requires it, a company profile with the role and the planned accessories and technologies, and acceptance of the Apple MFi Non-Disclosure Agreement. The applicant can download the NDA and "the latest version of the MFi Contract that you will need to sign before joining". Payment of the USD 99 annual fee by credit card or Apple Pay submits the application. Apple says processing times vary with the volume of applications and gives no target duration.
Certification
Section titled “Certification”How the Program Works sets out four steps:
- Product Plan: submit a plan for an accessory that integrates MFi licensed technology.
- Development: design, develop and test the accessory, and procure MFi components as needed.
- Certification: use the Apple certification tools, then submit production-ready samples and packaging materials for review.
- Mass Production: begin manufacturing and sales once Apple approves certification.
Apple describes MFi badges as communicating that an accessory "has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards". Badge artwork and its usage rules come with the licence. Once an accessory has completed certification and has been opted in or reported as sold, it becomes searchable on the MFi Licensed Accessories page, for accessories using AirPlay audio, Find My network, HomeKit, iAP2, Lightning connector, MFi charging component or MFi headset component.
USB-C, Lightning and the EU common charger
Section titled “USB-C, Lightning and the EU common charger”Apple announced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus with a USB-C connector on September 12, 2023 (availability September 22, 2023). In the EU, 2022/2380/EU amends the Radio Equipment Directive ( 2014/53/EU ) and adds Annex Ia.
| Point of Directive 2022/2380 | What it says |
|---|---|
| Categories (Annex Ia, Part I, 1.1 to 1.12) | Handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds |
| Laptops (point 1.13) | Added with a later date |
| Receptacle (point 2) | USB Type-C receptacle per EN IEC 62680-1-3:2021, accessible and operational at all times, for equipment charged by wire |
| Fast charging (point 3) | Above 5 V, 3 A or 15 W: USB Power Delivery per EN IEC 62680-1-2:2021, and any other protocol must allow full USB PD functionality |
| Application dates (Article 2) | December 28, 2024 for points 1.1 to 1.12, April 28, 2026 for laptops |
| Unbundling report | Commission report due by December 28, 2026 |
The directive applies to the radio equipment (the phone, the earbuds, the speaker), not to a stand-alone cable. For accessory makers, the Accessory Design Guidelines are the practical reference on the Apple side: a USB-C accessory that powers a device uses USB Type-C Current to declare its capability and should use USB Power Delivery for higher power (section 35), and may use iAP2 together with USB Type-C Current, but not together with USB PD, to adjust the available current. Using iAP2 brings the accessory into MFi.
For the USB-IF side of USB-C, see USB-IF USB-C certification.
HomeKit, Matter and the Works with Apple Home badge
Section titled “HomeKit, Matter and the Works with Apple Home badge”Apple Home accepts two accessory protocols.
- HomeKit (HAP): Apple says any company that will distribute or sell a HomeKit accessory must be enrolled in the MFi Program. Licensees get the HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification, the HomeKit Accessory Development Kit (ADK), certification tools and Works with Apple Home badge artwork. A non-commercial version of the HAP specification is public.
- Matter: supported since iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9.1, tvOS 16.1 and HomePod software 16.1. A Matter accessory that will be sold must be certified through the Connectivity Standards Alliance process (see Matter CSA certification); no MFi licence is needed for the Matter side.
The Works with Apple Home badge guidelines give the Matter route to the badge:
| Requirement | Detail from the guidelines |
|---|---|
| Certification | CSA Matter certification in a category supported by Apple Home: air purifiers, blinds and shades, bridges, fans, lights, locks, outlets, robot vacuum cleaners, sensors (air quality, ambient light, contact, humidity, motion, temperature), switches, thermostats |
| Interoperability | CSA Matter interoperability testing completed |
| Request | CSA Vendor ID and Product ID for each accessory, acceptance of the Works with Apple Home Artwork License Agreement, then test results sent to Apple on request |
| Minimum size | 10 mm high in print, 30 pixels on screen |
| Clear space | One quarter of the badge height |
| Languages | English and Canadian French only, no home-made localisation |
| Placement | Packaging and communications only, never on the accessory itself, never as a sticker, no ™ or ® added |
Apple also asks Matter accessories carrying the badge to implement its Matter best practices and the Apple SDK. Thread accessories go through Thread Group certification for the network layer.
Find My network
Section titled “Find My network”Apple opened the Find My network accessory program on April 7, 2021, as part of MFi, with three launch partners. Approved products appear in the Items tab of the Find My app and carry a "Works with Apple Find My" badge. The same announcement mentioned a draft specification for chipset manufacturers to use Ultra Wideband (UWB) with U1-equipped Apple devices. The developer page today simply says: enrol in the MFi Program to access the technical specifications.
On May 13, 2024, Apple and Google announced cross-platform unwanted tracking alerts, implemented in iOS 17.5 and Android 6.0 and later, based on an industry specification submitted to the IETF Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers working group. Tag makers can build that capability in alongside Find My.
A Find My tag is still a Bluetooth radio: it needs Bluetooth SIG qualification and the radio approvals of each market (RED, FCC, national).
CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra
Section titled “CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra”The CarPlay developer page points car makers to the MFi Program for CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, AirPlay video in the car and car keys. It lists CarPlay features a vehicle can support: wireless connectivity, multitouch, dynamic screen sizing, route guidance in the instrument cluster or head-up display, and Spatial Audio for multi-channel audio systems. CarPlay Ultra provides content for all driver screens including the instrument cluster; Apple announced its rollout on May 15, 2025, starting with new Aston Martin orders in the United States and Canada. The technical requirements for head units, wired or wireless, are in the MFi specifications and are not public.
A wireless head unit remains a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio, subject to the Radio Equipment Directive in the EU, FCC rules in the US and national approvals elsewhere (for example India BIS, TEC and WPC, GCC or the LATAM regional guide), plus the automotive EMC requirements of the vehicle programme (CISPR 25 among them).
MagSafe, Qi2 and Apple Watch charging
Section titled “MagSafe, Qi2 and Apple Watch charging”Release R31 of the Accessory Design Guidelines, section 37.1, says an accessory incorporating a Qi transmitter "shall use an embedded Qi Certified subsystem or shall be Qi Certified" to the Qi Power Class 0 specification version 2.0 or later, and "should support version 2.2 or later". It lists the iPhone and AirPods models that support Qi and MagSafe; the MagSafe list starts with the iPhone 12 family but leaves out iPhone 16e and the iPhone SE models. Section 37.3 recommends shielding the coil field and placing ferrites to meet EMC limits, and states that final compliance testing and labelling are the responsibility of the company marketing the product. Section 42 (MagSafe Attach) sets the magnet arrays for MagSafe cases and other accessories; for example, a case with a MagSafe case magnet array must have a uniform thickness no greater than 2.1 mm (2.0 mm recommended). For the Qi and Qi2 brands, see Qi and Qi2 certification.
Apple Watch charging is the one charging item on the MFi list: the Apple Watch Fast Charger Module is an MFi licensed component. Its specification is not public.
Radio and safety rules MFi does not replace
Section titled “Radio and safety rules MFi does not replace”| Aspect | MFi | Regulatory certification |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Private licence and NDA with Apple | Law (EU directives and regulations, 47 CFR, national rules) |
| Decided by | Apple | Manufacturer, notified bodies, FCC TCBs, national regulators |
| Scope | Accessories using MFi licensed technologies or components | Every product placed on the market |
| Evidence | MFi certification, badge artwork | DoC, FCC ID, test reports |
| Fee | USD 99 a year plus royalties under NDA | Lab and certification body fees |
A Bluetooth or Wi-Fi MFi accessory still needs Bluetooth SIG qualification, Wi-Fi Alliance certification if it uses the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED mark, the EU radio requirements and FCC authorization. The Accessory Design Guidelines also flag non-regulatory points worth testing early: NFC performance must not be degraded by the accessory (section 4.9.5), and a list of labs performing SAR testing with devices is available through the MFi Program (section 4.9.4). See EU + US dual certification for the regulatory plan.
Claims the texts contradict
Section titled “Claims the texts contradict”| Claim | What the Apple documents say |
|---|---|
| "Applying to MFi is free." | The fee is USD 99 per membership year plus taxes and fees, paid at enrolment (MFi FAQ, enrolment help). |
| "Every USB-C cable or charger for iPhone needs MFi." | USB-C charging and USB Device Class accessories without licensed technology are outside MFi; only iAP2 over USB and CarPlay over USB are listed exceptions (MFi FAQ). |
| "The EU common charger rule applies to the cable." | Directive 2022/2380 requires USB Type-C receptacles on listed radio equipment, from December 28, 2024 (laptops April 28, 2026); it sets no requirement on a separate cable (Annex Ia). |
| "MagSafe 15 W is reserved to MFi chargers with an NFC handshake." | MagSafe is not an MFi technology; ADG R31 asks for Qi certification to version 2.0 or later for Qi transmitters (section 37.1). |
| "Vision Pro accessories and 'Made for Mac' or 'Made for Vision' badges are MFi tracks." | MFi pages name iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple Watch; Vision Pro cases, bands and spatial accessories are in the public Accessory Design Guidelines (sections 19 and 20). |
| "A Matter accessory needs MFi to show Works with Apple Home." | For Matter, CSA certification, CSA interoperability testing and the Artwork License Agreement suffice; MFi is required for HomeKit accessories. |
| "The Find My network accessory program is separate from MFi." | Apple announced it on April 7, 2021 as "part of the Made for iPhone (MFi) Program". |
| "Next-generation CarPlay is still not shipping." | Apple announced CarPlay Ultra rolling out on May 15, 2025, starting with Aston Martin. |
| "Apple publishes chip part numbers, lead times and a 'Self-On-Record' step." | None of this appears in Apple public documents; the public process is Product Plan, Development, Certification, Mass Production, and the rest is under NDA. |
| "Software authentication removed the MFi chip for Wi-Fi HomeKit accessories." | Apple public pages do not describe HomeKit authentication methods; they say a HomeKit accessory for sale requires MFi enrolment. |
Step-by-step plan for an MFi project
Section titled “Step-by-step plan for an MFi project”- Check the lists: does the product use one of the ten licensed technologies or seven components? If not (USB-C charging only, standard Bluetooth only, a case), MFi does not apply, but the Accessory Design Guidelines still help.
- Choose the protocol for smart home: HomeKit requires MFi; Matter goes through the CSA and the Works with Apple Home guidelines.
- Enrol: D-U-N-S number, business email, legal entity, NDA, MFi Contract, USD 99 a year.
- Order the MFi System Review if your company will manufacture MFi accessories or procure MFi components, or pick an authorized MFi manufacturer.
- Submit the Product Plan, then design and test against the MFi specifications.
- Run the regulatory campaign in parallel: radio, EMC, safety, Bluetooth SIG, Wi-Fi Alliance and Qi where they apply.
- Submit production-ready samples and packaging for Apple certification, then start mass production after approval.
For orders of magnitude on the regulatory side, see certification timeline and certification costs.
Frequent pitfalls
Section titled “Frequent pitfalls”| Pitfall | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Treating MFi as a substitute for FCC, RED or Bluetooth SIG | Product approved by Apple but not legally placed on the market |
| Adding iAP2 to a USB-C accessory late in the design | The accessory moves into MFi scope, with its certification steps |
| Designing a Matter-only device and expecting the badge without CSA interoperability testing | No access to Works with Apple Home artwork |
| Printing the Works with Apple Home badge below 10 mm, as a sticker, or on the device | Contrary to the badge guidelines |
| Planning on royalty or chip-cost figures found online | Those figures are under NDA and unverifiable |
| Assuming a contract manufacturer can build MFi products without the MFi System Review | Apple requires it of any company manufacturing or procuring MFi components |
Engineering support for MFi certification
Section titled “Engineering support for MFi certification”See also
Section titled “See also”- Amazon AVS and Google Cast accessory certification
- USB-IF: USB-C, USB4 and USB Power Delivery certification
- DECT Forum: certification of classic DECT and DECT NR+
- NFC Forum certification: CR15, device classes, fees
- Qi and Qi2 certification
- Thread Group certification
Going further
Section titled “Going further”- Bluetooth SIG qualification: the parallel programme every Bluetooth MFi accessory must clear
- Wi-Fi Alliance certification: for AirPlay audio, wireless CarPlay and Wi-Fi HomeKit accessories
- Matter certification: the CSA route to Apple Home without MFi
- USB-IF and USB-C certification: for the connector and protocol layer under USB-C accessories
- RED article 3.2: the EU radio regulation MFi never replaces
- FCC scope: the US radio regulation MFi never replaces
- Glossary: definitions of BLE, NFC, UWB, EMC and FCC ID
Sources & references
- MFi Program, How the Program Works (technologies, components, four certification steps), Apple mfi.apple.com/en/how-it-works.html
- MFi Program, Frequently Asked Questions (fee, roles, who needs to join, royalty under NDA), Apple mfi.apple.com/en/faqs.html
- MFi Program, Who needs to join, Apple mfi.apple.com/en/who-should-join.html
- MFi Program Enrolment, step-by-step help (NDA, MFi Contract, USD 99 annual fee), Apple mfi.apple.com/en/help/login-help/MFi-Enrollment
- Accessory Design Guidelines for Apple Devices, Release R31 (September 21, 2026), Apple developer.apple.com/accessories/Accessory-Design-Guidelines.pdf
- Developing apps and accessories for the home (HomeKit, Matter, badge), Apple developer.apple.com/apple-home/
- Works with Apple Home badge guidelines, Apple developer.apple.com/apple-home/works-with-apple-home/
- Matter support in iOS, Apple developer.apple.com/apple-home/matter/
- Find My network for developers, Apple developer.apple.com/find-my/
- Find My network now offers new third-party finding experiences (April 7, 2021), Apple Newsroom www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/04/apples-find-my-network-now-offers-new-third-party-finding-experiences/
- Apple and Google deliver support for unwanted tracking alerts in iOS and Android (May 13, 2024), Apple Newsroom www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/05/apple-and-google-deliver-support-for-unwanted-tracking-alerts-in-ios-and-android/
- CarPlay for developers (CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, car keys), Apple developer.apple.com/carplay/
- CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out today (May 15, 2025), Apple Newsroom www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/carplay-ultra-the-next-generation-of-carplay-begins-rolling-out-today/
- Apple debuts iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (September 12, 2023), Apple Newsroom www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/09/apple-debuts-iphone-15-and-iphone-15-plus/
- Directive (EU) 2022/2380 amending Directive 2014/53/EU (common charger), OJ L 315, 7.12.2022, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2380/oj
- Matter, Connectivity Standards Alliance, Connectivity Standards Alliance csa-iot.org/all-solutions/matter/
Frequently asked questions
- Is the MFi Program free?
- No. The MFi FAQ and the enrolment help page state a programme fee of USD 99 (plus applicable taxes and fees) per membership year, paid by credit card or Apple Pay when the enrolment form is submitted. Royalties on MFi accessories are a separate matter: the FAQ says this information is only available under NDA, once the application for the MFi License has been approved. Applicants need a registered legal entity, a business email matching the company domain, a D-U-N-S number and, in some countries, a tax identification number.
- Does a USB-C cable or charger need MFi?
- Not by default. The MFi FAQ lists "USB-C charging accessories and USB Device Class accessories" among products that are not part of the programme, as long as they use no MFi licensed technology or component. It adds two exceptions: accessories that implement iAP2 over USB, and vehicles that support CarPlay over USB, are part of the MFi Program. Lightning is different: "Lightning connectors and receptacles" are an MFi licensed component, and the Accessory Design Guidelines require MFi membership to integrate a Lightning connector.
- Which technologies does the MFi Program cover?
- Apple lists ten technologies (AirPlay audio, Car Keys, CarPlay, DockKit, Find My network, HomeKit, iAP2, MFi Game Controller, MFi Hearing Aid, Wi-Fi Accessory Configuration) and seven components, including authentication coprocessors, Lightning connectors and receptacles and the Apple Watch Fast Charger Module. Accessories that use only standard Bluetooth profiles or Bluetooth Low Energy are outside MFi, except BLE HomeKit accessories and BLE MFi hearing aids.
- Is MFi enough, or do I still need FCC and CE?
- MFi is a private licence with Apple. It does not replace any legal requirement. A wireless accessory still needs an FCC authorization in the United States, conformity with the Radio Equipment Directive in the EU, and the national approvals of each other market. The Accessory Design Guidelines say that final compliance testing, report preparation and labelling are the responsibility of the company marketing and producing the product.
- Do I need MFi to use the Works with Apple Home badge?
- It depends on the protocol. For a HomeKit accessory, Apple says MFi membership is required to use the badge. For a Matter accessory, the route is different: complete CSA Matter certification in a category Apple Home supports, complete CSA Matter interoperability testing, submit the CSA Vendor ID and Product ID, accept the Works with Apple Home Artwork License Agreement and send the test results to Apple.
- Is a MagSafe or Qi2 charger an MFi product?
- MagSafe is not on the MFi technology list. Release R31 of the Accessory Design Guidelines (September 21, 2026) requires an accessory with a Qi transmitter to be Qi Certified to version 2.0 or later, or to use an embedded Qi Certified subsystem, and recommends version 2.2 or later. Qi certification is a Wireless Power Consortium matter. The Apple Watch Fast Charger Module, on the other hand, is an MFi component.
- How does a Find My accessory get approved?
- Through the MFi Program. Apple introduced the Find My network accessory program on April 7, 2021 as part of MFi; approved products appear in the Items tab of the Find My app and carry a "Works with Apple Find My" badge. The technical specification is released to MFi members. Since iOS 17.5 (May 13, 2024), Apple and Google also support a cross-platform specification for unwanted tracking alerts that tag makers can implement.
- Can I see the MFi specifications before joining?
- No. Apple says it cannot give feedback on a product concept before a company joins, and the information shared under the programme is Apple Confidential. Specifications, test procedures, component part numbers, royalties and badge rules for MFi badges are under NDA, so any figure found online for them is unverified. The public documents are the MFi pages, the Accessory Design Guidelines, the HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification (non-commercial version) and the Works with Apple Home guidelines.