Is it possible to write a program around AirTags or is it restricted?

A program to do what?

AirTags are tied into Find My, and are not accessible nor programmable.

There are ways that third-party vendors can tie into Find My, but that’s probably not what you’re seeking.

There are ways to trigger activity based on device proximity to RFID tags too, and that might be closer.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

What would obstruct me from constructing a network of tags that could be tracked?

If I wanted to build by own tags, what are the hardware limitations that would limit the application?

Cellular providers sell cellular-capable GSM trackers, and there are open-source analogs.

RFID tags require some active component within range to scan and relay.

AirTags provide an infrequent ping, which Apple devices within range can pick up and relay; the Find My network.

In the case of your own tags using the Apple Find My network, maybe OpenHaystack will be interesting.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

How would I create my own network for my own tags? Is this possible? (software)

How familiar are you with programming, and particularly with with IPv6, TLS, and related features of data communications, particularly involving environments where packet losses are to be expected? Also with sourcing or potentially designing hardware? And probably also with sourcing the necessary finances, and then business and prpject management assistance, if this is larger than a small home-grown one-off project. This all then gets combined with your particular design requirements and design trade-offs, and you then build your own unique answer to this, and your own product.

What are Apples, and other airtag companies limitations in regards of their hardware? (physical tag hardware)

All such designs are trade-offs. And the features and limitations of AirTags seemingly aren’t particularly relevant here, if you’re not using that hardware. You’ll want to determine your design requirements, hardware and software, and pricing, for your particular (and as-yet unspecified) requirements.

There are folks around that can source some or all of this effort and this production for you, but it won’t be cheap.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

Yes I am familiar with programming but not IPv6 nor TSL. What are they and how do they relate to developing software for Airtags?

You’re going to need technical help to design and develop whatever product or package you’re considering creating here, or a year or two learning about hardware and networking and app development, or both, to do that yourself. Networking isn’t difficult, but properly managing security and authentication, and dealing with the inevitable communications errors and probably learning about state machines gets subtle. That all starting from OpenHaystack and Find My, or analogous, and the hardware supported by that. Starting from purpose-built cellular trackers would still be an effort too, but would be somewhat easier around communications and positioning and avoiding the relay. Designing your own hardware adds to all that.

In summary:

Can you write a program around AirTags? Not really. Not anything that runs on the AirTags. There are frameworks for writing apps involving positioning and for RFID-based locality for advertising and such, but whether those are appropriate for whatever idea or concept you’re considering is unknown.

Can you build your own tags? That’s mostly a you question. If your connection uses existing IPv6 via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or cellular, sure. Apple is not involved in that. If your hardware ties in via MFi or Find My, you play by Apple rules. But it’s your hardware ro design and build.

This seems a larger and hardware-involving version of the “I have a great idea for an app” trope. Ideas aren’t all that valuable in isolation. The topics you’re unfamiliar with here including IPv6 and TLS and a whole lot more—and the business and privacy and regulatory and funding aspects you’re not yet asking about—are the bulk of this not-inconsequential product effort.

If you want a starting point, again, have a look at OpenHaystack.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

Thank you. This was very helpful.

One more question:

How do you create a network for airtags?

Apple created Find My for that, and see the open-source Find My client OpenHaystack.

AirTags send an infrequent broadcast via Bluetooth, which can potentially be picked up and then relayed by Apple devices within range. If any Apple devices are within range. The broadcast is sent roughly every ten minutes, with a range of roughly ten meters, based on various previous discussions.

You seem somewhat past your technical familiarity and comfort level here, which is fine and almost expected for a new big and complex product. You will have to judge how far past your comfort level is workable for your plans, however.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

What about Galaxy Smart tags and Tile Smart tags? Do they have client OpenHaystack separate from Apple?

No sé. This isn’t the best spot for questions about the implementation details of Samsung and Tile products, or for details and support of the OpenHaystack open-source package.

Tim_Taylor wrote:

Understandable. What type of software engineers specialize in IPv6, TSL, and Apple OpenHaystack?

Senior developers.

Those developers working across networked, location-aware, and privacy-focused apps tend to be fairly senior and experienced developers. If you’re adding custom hardware and likely with custom firmware development to the project requirements list, hardware and firmware developers also tend to be senior, as well.

And OpenHaystack is not Apple source code.