Apple’s AirTag 2: Enhanced Tracking with Extended Range and Louder Alerts
After a five-year hiatus, Apple has introduced the AirTag 2, maintaining the familiar design of its predecessor while incorporating several notable enhancements to improve user experience and functionality.
1. Advanced Ultra Wideband (UWB) Technology
The AirTag 2 is equipped with Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, significantly enhancing its tracking capabilities. This upgrade allows for more precise location tracking and improved performance in various environments.
2. Extended Precision Finding Range
Thanks to the UWB 2 chip, the Precision Finding feature now operates at a range 1.5 times greater than the original AirTag. This means users can locate their items from a farther distance, making it more convenient to find misplaced belongings.
3. Integration with Apple Watch
Previously exclusive to the iPhone, Precision Finding is now compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and subsequent models. This expansion allows users to locate their AirTag-equipped items directly from their wrist, adding a layer of convenience.
4. Enhanced Audio Alerts
The AirTag 2 features a speaker that is up to 50% louder than its predecessor. This improvement makes it easier to hear alerts when searching for items and serves as an additional anti-stalking measure by making unauthorized tracking more detectable.
5. Improved Bluetooth Connectivity
Apple has incorporated a newer Bluetooth specification in the AirTag 2, resulting in increased range and more reliable connections. This enhancement ensures that users can track their items more effectively over greater distances.
6. Redesigned Internal Structure
To accommodate the upgraded speaker, Apple has revamped the internal design of the AirTag 2. While rumors suggest that these changes may also make it more difficult to tamper with the device, particularly to disable the speaker, confirmation awaits further analysis.
7. Slight Increase in Weight
The AirTag 2 weighs 0.42 ounces (11.8 grams), making it approximately 7% heavier than the original model. This slight increase is likely due to the internal enhancements and the more robust speaker system.
8. Updated Labeling
The text on the back of the AirTag 2 is now presented in all capital letters, providing a clear distinction from the first-generation model. Additionally, the labeling includes information about its IP67 water and dust resistance, as well as NFC and Find My support—features that were present in the original AirTag but not explicitly listed.
9. Intended Use Clarification
Apple emphasizes that the AirTag 2 is designed for tracking objects, not people or pets. Despite this clarification, many users continue to utilize AirTags to monitor their animals, highlighting the device’s versatility.
10. Revised Reset Procedure
Resetting the AirTag 2 involves removing the battery, waiting for at least five seconds, and then reinserting it. This process must be repeated four times, with Apple noting that it can take up to 12 seconds to hear the final tone. This is a change from the original AirTag, which did not require a waiting period after battery removal.
11. Software Compatibility
To use the AirTag 2, devices must be updated to iOS 26.2.1. This requirement ensures that users have access to the latest features and security enhancements.
The AirTag 2 retains all the functionalities of its predecessor, leveraging the Find My network for tracking. When out of Bluetooth range, the AirTag can communicate with other Apple devices to relay its location back to the owner, facilitating long-distance tracking.
Additional features include Lost Mode, which utilizes NFC to help identify the owner of a lost item, and options for sharing item locations with others—a feature particularly useful in scenarios like air travel with participating airlines. The device continues to use a CR2032 coin cell battery, with Apple stating that it lasts over a year before needing replacement.
Pricing remains consistent, with the AirTag 2 available for $29 individually or $99 for a pack of four. Free engraving is also offered. Orders can be placed today, with deliveries starting on Wednesday, January 28.
