Why Your MacBook Has a Hidden Thread Radio

FCC reports of current and upcoming Apple devices reveal that many of them have a hidden feature. But why do new iPhones and MacBooks have a Thread radio?

It seems that Apple is thinking of "future Matters" – specifically, the part its devices can play in a Matter-based smart home. Given Apple is involved with the development of Matter, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

What is Thread?

Thread is a key element of the Matter smart home standard. A low-powered wireless mesh protocol for smart home devices, Thread is more reliable and has a longer-range than Bluetooth.

It links smaller smart home devices to your network, and the mesh dynamic helps to ensure that each device can communicate with each other even if one goes offline.

Whereas hubs, controllers, and bridges typically use Wi-Fi, devices like sensors, lamps, and switches use Thread. Devices positioned at a range that Bluetooth may not handle – perhaps doorbell cams, or smart locks – can enjoy a reliable connection over Thread.

The Mystery of the Hidden Radio

While the FCC certification page revealed the existence of Thread radio on its new MacBooks (a chip that handles Thread networking), Apple has so far said nothing. No official word on the issue has come from the tech giant, which isn’t unusual. Given this silence and the fact that the Worldwide Developers Conference is taking place this week, there is a chance Apple could be imminently announcing some Thread-related smart home news.

Other reasons for this secrecy can also be speculated on. It could simply be that Apple is future-proofing its phones and notebooks for smart home functionality. Increased integration with HomeKit, Apple’s smart home framework, seems likely. As Apple is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance that oversees Matter, this makes sense.

Another possibility is that Thread could eventually be integrated into new tri-radio chips, alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For example, Swiss chip company u-Blox released a tri-radio chip in 2023. Apple may be providing the groundwork for this by including a Thread radio in new devices.

Potential Benefits

Transforming MacBooks into smart home hubs could super-power Apple HomeKit smart homes, and encourage the take-up of other devices. Controlling Thread-enabled smart devices directly from an Apple MacBook seems like an obvious development. There is also the notion of controlling an Apple Watch, and managing the data it collects over Thread. 

While the truth behind the inclusion of Thread radio support in MacBooks and iPhones is unclear, it seems like a great feature to have.