Tether, an open-source developer tool hosted on GitHub under the repository zackb/tether, has released version 0.2.0, adding Bluetooth access to iPhone messages, contacts and notifications from Linux desktops running Wayland. The project is separate from the company behind the USDT stablecoin; the shared name is a coincidence, according to research on the repository.
What version 0.2.0 does
Tether version 0.2.0 shipped on August 19, 2026. The release introduced clipboard synchronization and file transfer between phone and desktop. The larger addition is Bluetooth access to SMS and iMessage conversations, contacts and app notifications, all arriving on a Linux machine with no changes required on the iOS side.
The project flips the usual approach: instead of asking the iPhone to cooperate with an unknown device, the Linux machine emulates a paired Bluetooth accessory that the iPhone already trusts. Under the hood, it relies on standard Bluetooth profiles: MAP (Message Access Profile), PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile) and ANCS (Apple Notification Center Service). Each profile handles a different job—messages, the address book, and lock-screen notifications.
Setup and requirements
The Linux side runs on BlueZ, the widely used Bluetooth software stack for Linux. Full functionality requires BlueZ version 5.86 or later, with experimental features switched on. Getting started involves two commands: users run tether --bt-setup and then tether --bt-pair to link the devices. After pairing, users must grant iOS permissions for notifications and contacts before data starts flowing.
November updates
Work has continued since the August release. Documentation updates in early November 2026 added improvements to ANCS over BR/EDR, the classic Bluetooth connection mode. Those revisions also covered dual-bond handling and expanded troubleshooting guidance. As of November 2026, the project’s status points to ongoing refinements aimed at reliability.
Tradeoffs for users and developers
Requiring BlueZ 5.86 or later with experimental features enabled means some distributions may need updates before Tether works fully, and experimental code carries the usual stability caveats. The November focus on dual-bond handling and troubleshooting suggests connection reliability is the main area still under active work.
Privacy-minded users will also want to note the permissions involved. Granting a desktop access to messages, contacts and notifications widens the set of devices holding sensitive personal data.
