Research Finds AirTag Can Be Reprogrammed and Hacked

May 10, 2021

A recent discovery by a German security expert showed that Apple’s AirTag can be hacked and its software modified. An investigation of the AirTag microcontroller allows revealing elements to be reprogrammed to alter the functionality of certain features.

A German security expert, identified simply as “Stack Smashing,” revealed on Twitter how the researcher found the issue. After exploring the device for a few hours, the researcher found that the microcontroller could be reprogrammed, proving that it is possible to change the microcontroller’s programming and how it works. While the research, which is at an early stage, shows that it takes a lot of know-how and effort to hack AirTag at all, there is a possibility that similar techniques of the researcher could be used for malicious purposes.

For more information, read the original story in Apple Insider.

Top Stories

Related Articles

February 11, 2026 Workday’s CEO Carl Eschenbach is stepping down, less than a week after the enterprise software firm announced more...

February 11, 2026 OpenAI is losing several senior-level researchers and executives as it redirects resources toward its flagship ChatGPT product, more...

February 10, 2026 Canada is about to make history in the race for clean energy by taking a homegrown fusion more...

February 9, 2026 Waymo acknowledged recently that human workers, including contractors operating from overseas, still play a direct role in more...

Picture of TND News Desk

TND News Desk

Staff writer for Tech Newsday.
Picture of TND News Desk

TND News Desk

Staff writer for Tech Newsday.

Jim Love

Jim is an author and podcast host with over 40 years in technology.

Share:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn