Apple leak reveals new AirTag 2 features

Since its debut in 2021, Apple’s AirTag wireless tracker has become almost a must-have accessory for travellers who are wary of their checked luggage going astray.

Apple is now tipped to unveil its second-gen AirTag 2 early next year, and details found within a leaked upcoming version of the iOS 26 iPhone software (reported by US publication Macworld) give us the best idea yet of the new AirTag features.

While some of these might be made available to the first generation of AirTags through a simple firmware update, signs point to an AirTag 2 release delivering all the goods.

Greater range: a revamped ultrawide-band (UWB) chip in the AirTag 2 will vastly increase its Precision Finding range, which guides a user to the AirTag with highly accurate directions on their iPhone screen.

Precision Finding is exclusive to Apple’s own AirTag devices, as the necessary Apple-designed UWB chip is not found in AirTag-compatible trackers sold by a number of third-party companies.

The AirTag 2 will introduce Enhanced Precision Finding which can pinpoint the location of an AirTagged item from 60 metres away, compared to 10-30 metres for the original AirTag.

Apple's AirTag Precision Finding at work.

Better tracking: the leaked iOS 26 code also shows Apple is working on a feature called Improved Moving, which Macworld suggests will likely allow users to find the precise location of an AirTag even when the button-sized gizmo is moving around.

This might prove very handy for bags circulating on an airport’s luggage belt.

“Another feature seems focused on improving accurate tracking in crowded places,” Macworld observes.

Boosted Bluetooth: iOS 26 also indicates Apple “has been working on improving the Bluetooth communication between Apple devices and the item tracker,” reports Macworld.

Bluetooth is the primary short-range means for iPhones, iPads and even MacBook laptops to detect the presence of an AirTag, which is then relayed across Apple’s Find My network to effectively ‘crowdsource' AirTag searching.

More efficient Bluetooth links will certainly make using AirTags more reliable.

Improved Wi-Fi: outside of UWB-range, an improved wireless chip in the AirTag 2 should also increase location-finding accuracy in areas with fewer iPhones and other devices to detect and relay an AirTag's presence.

Many airlines have now added AirTag tracking into their Lost Baggage reporting system.

Stronger privacy: High-tech stalking and stealthy user-tracking have been unwelcome side-effects of the AirTag.

With that in mind, Apple is reportedly planning to make the tiny AirTag 2 speaker emit much louder and more noticeable beeps by default, as well as making it much harder to remove the speaker without completely wrecking the device.

Battery alerts: also lurking within the iOS code is more detailed battery level reporting, with alerts which will sound off when your AirTag reports low and very low battery levels.

Interestingly, Macworld notes these capabilities “are tagged internally as 2025AirTag, which strongly suggests that the product was originally slated for release this year but was quietly pushed to next year.”

Apple AirTags have quickly become a traveller's best friend.

No changes are expected to the button-like form factor of the original AirTag, which will retain its slim circular shape.

Numerous companies have released AirTag-compatible trackers which rely on the same technology and Apple’s Find My network, but at lower prices and in different shapes, such as a thin card-shaped tracker which can easily slip into a wallet.

However, only Apple’s AirTag contains the UWB chip which enables the close-range precision finding to show your AirTag on the iPhone screen with a direction arrow and an estimate of distance.

This is especially handy for small devices like keys, a wallet or compact purse, but also has its uses at an airport if your checked luggage has been taken off the belt and is now sitting in a sea of other bags.

Also read: How to use your AirTags to find lost Qantas luggage