A significant new AirTag security flaw has been brought to light by the popular repair site iFixit. Their latest teardown of Apple’s new tracking device reveals that despite several upgrades, a critical hardware vulnerability persists. This flaw allows the device’s speaker to be easily disabled, creating a silent and potentially malicious tracking tool.

iFixit Teardown Uncovers New AirTag Security Flaw

While rumors suggested the new AirTag would feature a more tamper-proof internal design, the teardown by iFixit tells a different story. Apple successfully upgraded the speaker to be 50% louder than the previous model, a welcome change for finding lost items. However, the analysis shows that this key safety feature, which alerts people to unwanted tracking, can be bypassed with minimal effort.

The core issue lies in the physical connection of the speaker. The iFixit video demonstrates that simply desoldering or cutting the two thin wires leading from the speaker coil to the circuit board is enough to silence the device completely. The team tested the AirTag after this modification and confirmed that its tracking capabilities remained fully functional, just without any audio alerts.

Apple has implemented robust software-based safety measures, such as cross-platform unwanted tracking alerts and frequently changing Bluetooth identifiers. Nevertheless, this hardware vulnerability remains a significant concern. The fact that the AirTag continues to operate perfectly as a silent tracker after the speaker is disconnected undermines many of the software protections designed to prevent stalking.

Upgraded Internals and the New U2 Chip

The iFixit teardown didn’t just expose flaws; it also provided a clear look at the device’s upgraded technology. The new AirTag features an improved processor managing its Bluetooth and NFC functions. More importantly, at the heart of the device is Apple’s next-generation U2 Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip.

This new U2 chip significantly enhances the device’s location-tracking capabilities compared to the previous generation. It enables a more advanced and accurate “Precision Finding” feature, which is especially beneficial for users with an iPhone 15 or a newer model. This makes finding lost items more intuitive and precise than ever before. However, the presence of such advanced tracking technology makes the physical security vulnerability all the more concerning.

So, what are your thoughts on this AirTag security issue? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!