Apple quietly upgraded one of its smallest — and most useful — accessories. The second‑generation AirTag keeps the familiar pebble-like shell but packs a handful of practical changes: a louder speaker, an improved Bluetooth radio, a second‑generation Ultra Wideband chip for longer Precision Finding, and watch‑based locating for the first time.
Small changes that matter
At a glance, the new AirTag looks the same as the original, and that’s deliberate: existing holders and luggage slots still work. Inside, though, Apple swapped key components. The updated Bluetooth chip extends the range at which an AirTag can be located, and the newer Ultra Wideband (UWB) silicon — the same family of chip used in recent iPhone and Watch models — boosts Precision Finding so you can be guided to a lost item from roughly 50% farther away than before. Apple also redesigned the internals to deliver a chime that’s 50% louder, which helps when you need audio clues rather than an on‑screen arrow.
Apple’s announcement has the full technical rundown at the Apple announcement.
Your wrist can now point the way
Until now, finding an AirTag with Precision Finding required an iPhone in hand. With the new tracker and a watchOS update, Apple Watch wearers can use Precision Finding directly from their wrist. That capability requires Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, and the watch must be updated to watchOS 26.2.1. If you prefer tapping a crown to grabbing a pocketful of tech, the watch now shows direction and distance — a genuinely handy convenience for hunting down keys dumped in couch cushions.
If you haven’t updated, WatchOS 26.2.1 is the release to grab; the watch must be on its charger for the install to finish. Similarly, iPhones need iOS 26.2.1 to fully support the new AirTag features — Apple shipped that minor update the same day to enable the hardware’s extra tricks. (For context on how Apple has been rolling out smaller iOS updates with feature tweaks, see the recent changes to Apple Podcasts in iOS 26.2.)
What stays the same
Not everything changed. AirTag 2 still uses a standard CR2032 coin cell and Apple says expected battery life remains over a year with normal use. Pricing is unchanged in the U.S.: $29 for a single AirTag and $99 for a four‑pack, and personalization engraving remains available on apple.com.
If you want to pick one up, the tracker is compatible with existing accessories — so you don’t need to buy new key rings or luggage inserts. You can also find the AirTag on store shelves and from Apple Authorized Resellers; for shoppers who prefer retail links, the AirTag is listed under Apple Accessories and is available on Amazon.
Privacy, partnerships and travel
Apple reiterated familiar protections against unwanted tracking: AirTag never stores location history on the device, communications through the Find My network are end‑to‑end encrypted, and Bluetooth identifiers rotate frequently. The updated model also plugs into Apple’s Share Item Location feature — useful for travel scenarios — so owners can temporarily and securely share an item’s location with authorized third parties like airline support teams. Apple said partnerships with more than 50 carriers and travel providers have already helped reduce certain baggage issues, a small but practical win for frequent flyers.
The company continues to stress that AirTag is designed for objects, not people or pets, and includes cross‑platform alerts to help prevent misuse.
Who needs this upgrade?
If your AirTag lives on a suitcase or rarely leaves your bag, the louder speaker and longer Bluetooth range will be the immediate perks. If you frequently misplace items at home, the real improvement is the UWB‑powered Precision Finding — especially now that you can use it from an Apple Watch. Owners of older AirTags aren’t losing anything; the first‑gen trackers still work well and remain useful, but the second generation is more helpful in edge cases where range or sound matters.
For Apple Watch owners, the change follows a broader set of watch‑side shifts: Apple has been adjusting device behavior and services as regulations and platform choices evolve — an example being its recent plans around iPhone–Watch syncing in the EU — so expect the company to keep nudging watch functionality forward in small, practical steps. See more on that policy shift in reporting about how Apple will disable iPhone–Apple Watch Wi‑Fi sync in the EU.
Quick update checklist
- iPhone: Install iOS 26.2.1 to get full AirTag 2 support and related fixes.
- Apple Watch: Update to watchOS 26.2.1 (watch on charger) to use Precision Finding from your wrist.
- Accessories: No new attachments needed — current AirTag cases and rings fit the new model.
Apple’s move is a tidy example of iterative hardware: not flashy on the outside, but more helpful in everyday moments. If you lose things often, the combination of a louder chime and watch‑based Precision Finding could turn small frustrations into quick recoveries — and that’s exactly the sort of upgrade many will appreciate.