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

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.