Finding misplaced luggage and personal belongings could become easier, with Apple announcing a second-generation AirTag tracker with more precision and a louder chime.
According to Apple, the upgraded AirTag can help track items from up to 50 per cent further away than the first AirTag, which debuted in 2021. Apple says this is due to the combination of an upgraded Bluetooth chip, plus the brand’s second-gen Ultra Wideband chip used across its recent mobile devices, including the iPhone 17 range. People with an Apple Watch Series 9 or later can now also use the “Precision Finding” feature to track their AirTags.
In addition to the greater range, the new AirTag has an “updated internal design”, resulting in a 50 per cent loudness increase. Based on Apple’s claims, if the tracker is buried deep in a suitcase, you’ll have a better chance of hearing it when pinging its location.
Like Apple’s original tracking device, it taps into the company’s Find My Network, which triangulates the position of connected Apple devices using Bluetooth. It’s an opt-in system that provides an approximate location, according to Apple, not an exact one.
Early on, there were concerns about AirTags being used to track people without their permission. While tracking devices can be helpful, particularly for vulnerable family members, they can also be used in harmful ways.
In 2022, Apple released a statement to condemn the unauthorised use of AirTags, along with several updates to improve privacy, like alerting users when an unknown device might be tracking them.
Notably, the second-gen AirTag costs the same as the original model: $49 for one, and $165 for a pack of four. It’s available to order now directly through Apple’s online store, and will be available in stores later in the week.
