A new open-source Android app called Nearby Glasses aims to detect smart glasses in proximity using Bluetooth Low Energy signals. Developed by Yves Jeanrenaud, the app scans for specific company ID codes embedded in BLE advertising frames from manufacturers like Meta and Luxottica.

Since BLE uses randomized MAC addresses and unstable service UUIDs, the app relies on manufacturer-specific identifiers in the advertising header. These codes, sourced from the Bluetooth SIG assigned numbers repository, include 0x01AB for Meta Platforms, 0x058E for Meta Platforms Technologies, 0x0D53 for Luxottica Group, and 0x03C2 for Snapchat. The approach is inherently prone to false positives since VR headsets and other Bluetooth devices share these identifiers.

The app triggers notifications when detected devices fall below a configurable RSSI threshold, defaulting to -75 dBm which corresponds to roughly 10-15 meters in open space. Users can adjust sensitivity, add custom company IDs, and export debug logs. Jeanrenaud emphasizes the app's experimental nature, noting he's not a professional developer and the tool should be used with extreme caution.