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References found in the latest iOS beta suggest Apple could lead the way in delivering LiFi support on mobile devices. A review of the iOS source code turned up a library cache file referencing “LiFiCapability,” along with other code fragments that point to support for the networking protocol, indicating that Apple may be positioning itself to adopt the technology.
LiFi, short for Light Fidelity, uses Visible Light Communication (VLC) to transmit data by modulating light, rather than relying on traditional radio-frequency methods such as WiFi. While the technology has limitations—most notably its inability to pass through walls—those same characteristics can be advantages: LiFi signals are harder to intercept and are less susceptible to interference from crowded radio-spectrum environments.
The only notable commercial deployment to date has come from Estonian startup Velmenni, which incorporated LiFi into its Jugnu line of smart light bulbs. Velmenni’s system creates a wireless communication network that uses light as the transport medium, offering much higher throughput than current WiFi implementations in many cases. The company reports data rates of up to 1 Gbps in their products, which is more than one hundred times faster than some existing WiFi setups, and academic and corporate labs have pushed VLC experimental systems to even greater speeds—research demonstrations have reached hundreds of gigabits per second under controlled conditions.
Velmenni CEO Deepak Solanki has described the company’s focus on industrial and office deployments: “We have designed a smart lighting solution for an industrial environment where data communication is done through light. We are also doing a pilot project with a private client where we are setting up a LiFi network to access the internet in their office space.” These early commercial pilots show how LiFi can be paired with lighting infrastructure to deliver both illumination and high-speed connectivity in localized environments.
Apple’s discovery of LiFi-related code in its firmware does not reveal a clear roadmap or specific product plans. However, it’s reasonable to speculate the company could use the technology within home-automation or smart-home contexts, where rooms are enclosed and light-based connectivity can provide secure, high-bandwidth links between devices. LiFi could complement existing wireless standards by offering ultra-fast, low-interference connections in rooms where light fixtures can serve dual roles as both illumination and network access points.
Beyond smart-home use, other promising LiFi applications include secure point-to-point links in office settings, high-density venues where radio spectrum is congested, and industrial environments where electromagnetic interference is a concern. Each of these scenarios takes advantage of LiFi’s strengths—high throughput, reduced RF interference, and improved physical security—while acknowledging constraints related to line-of-sight and coverage planning.
As mobile makers and component suppliers explore integrating VLC receivers and transmitters into devices, several technical and practical questions remain: how to manage seamless handoff between LiFi and traditional wireless networks, how to integrate LiFi into existing networking stacks, how to design robust LEDs and photodetectors for everyday consumer use, and how to address privacy and safety considerations in widespread deployments.
For now, Apple’s code hints suggest the company is at least experimenting with LiFi capability, which could accelerate consumer awareness and adoption if the feature appears in future iPhone or home products. Whether LiFi will become a mainstream complement to WiFi and cellular technologies depends on progress in device integration, cost-effective deployment through lighting infrastructure, and continued improvements in real-world performance.
What do you think Apple might do with LiFi technology? Share your thoughts in the comments.