Could Apple’s new AirTag 2 be louder but still quietly undermined by a soldering iron? That’s the short, messy answer.
iFixIt’s teardown of the second‑generation AirTag — performed shortly after Apple’s launch — pulls the device apart and delivers a mix of modest praise and an eyebrow‑raising revelation. Apple did indeed boost the little tracker’s speaker output (iFixIt measured around a 50% increase), and tucked in a newer Ultra Wideband U2 chip to sharpen Precision Finding for iPhone 15 and later. The company also rolled out software and identifier changes to fight unwanted tracking: cross‑platform alerts and frequently rotating Bluetooth IDs to make it harder for someone to follow you without permission.
But the hardware tweak that should make stalking harder — a speaker that beeps persistently if an unknown AirTag is nearby — still has a practical weak spot. The teardown shows two thin wires running from the speaker to the printed circuit board. Snip them or remove them with a soldering iron, and the beeper falls silent while the tracker keeps doing its job. iFixIt tested this, and yes, the AirTag keeps reporting its location to Find My even with the speaker disabled.
Why that matters
Apple’s anti‑stalking measures rely on a mix of audible alerts, phone notifications, and privacy heuristics. If an AirTag can be made silent without breaking Bluetooth or UWB, a malicious actor gains a larger window of time to move without drawing attention. The company has tried to mitigate that risk with software: phones will still warn users about unfamiliar trackers, and the rotating identifiers make long‑term covert tracking harder. But when the physical alarm is gone, the balance shifts back toward detection by luck or diligent phone settings rather than guaranteed audio alerts.
There’s a consumer angle too. For many buyers, a louder speaker and better Precision Finding are real conveniences: lost keys are easier to locate, and the new U2 chip helps deliver more precise directional cues on compatible iPhones. If you’re hunting for a missing wallet in a couch or a bag in an airport, that louder tone and UWB guidance can be hugely helpful — assuming no one has already muzzled the device.
How the AirTag integrates with your gear
If you pair an AirTag 2 to your setup, a few practical details are worth knowing. Precision Finding on Apple Watch is available — but only on newer models (Series 9, Ultra 2 and newer) and requires the latest watchOS. The feature isn’t tucked into the Find Items app on the watch by default; it lives as a Control Center shortcut you add manually (open Control Center → Edit → add Find Items). Once it’s in place, the watch can guide you to an AirTag and ask the tag to play its (hopefully still working) sound to help you zero in.
Apple Watch owners should also keep an eye on broader platform changes. Apple has been reshuffling how devices sync and interact in certain regions as regulators press for interoperability, which could affect how tightly an AirTag’s ecosystem behaves with your watch over time. See more about those device sync changes in this Apple watch and EU regulation update: Apple to Disable iPhone–Apple Watch Wi‑Fi Sync in EU as DMA Deadline Looms.
Price and buying notes
If you’re in the market for AirTags, deals are around — and buying in bulk is often the best value. There have been notable discounts on four‑packs, and if you want to pick up a set now, check the deal history and options before you buy; earlier sales have pushed the 4‑pack to its lowest prices in recent months. You can read how those discounts evolved here: AirTag 4‑Pack Hits Record Low.
Thinking of picking one up right away? The AirTag 2 is designed to be a small, inexpensive accessory you might want multiple of — for keys, luggage, a backpack, or a camera bag. If you plan to use the watch for Precision Finding, make sure your watch is compatible and fully updated; otherwise, you won’t get the UWB directional help Apple intends.
The practical verdict (no phrase like that, promise)
Apple improved the AirTag in ways that matter day to day: louder sounds, better locating accuracy with the U2 chip, and more privacy‑minded identifiers. But the physical design remains serviceable to hobbyist tampering — and that undercuts some of the device’s privacy promises. For most users who keep trackers attached to personal items and stay logged into Apple’s ecosystem, the AirTag 2 will be a helpful upgrade. For those worried about misuse, the device is only one piece of the privacy puzzle; keeping devices updated, understanding notifications, and checking for unfamiliar trackers are still important.
If you want one for your setup, they’re easy to find and often discounted; you can also pair them with an Apple Watch to get the most from Precision Finding, or buy a multi‑pack like the Apple AirTag (4-pack) if you want coverage across several belongings.
Small trackers, big questions: Apple tightened the software and the sound, but a soldering iron still tells the rest of the story.