Apple has introduced the second-generation AirTag, a revision of its item tracker that focuses on practical hardware improvements rather than major design changes. Marketed simply as AirTag 2, the updated tracker aims to improve range, audibility, and tracking accuracy while keeping pricing and accessory compatibility unchanged.
At the center of the update is Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. The same chip is used in recent devices such as the iPhone 17 lineup and newer Apple Watch models, and it allows Precision Finding to operate at a greater distance than before. Apple says the effective range has increased by up to 50 percent, giving users more time and space to locate misplaced items. Precision Finding continues to rely on a combination of visual cues, haptic feedback, and sound to guide users toward an AirTag once they are within range.
In addition to Ultra Wideband improvements, AirTag 2 includes an updated Bluetooth chip that further extends basic connectivity. This helps keep the tracker visible in the Find My network from farther away, especially in crowded or signal-heavy environments. Apple has also expanded Precision Finding support to newer Apple Watch models, including Series 9 and Ultra 2 or later, allowing users to locate tagged items directly from their wrist without pulling out an iPhone.
One of the more immediately noticeable changes is the internal speaker. Apple says it is now 50 percent louder, addressing a common complaint about the original AirTag. The stronger alert sound is intended to make it easier to hear a tracker when it is buried in a bag, under furniture, or in another enclosed space.
On the software side, Apple is expanding the Share Item Location feature. Users can now temporarily share an AirTag’s location with trusted third parties, including airline staff, to assist with lost luggage recovery. Apple claims more than 50 airlines have joined the program, and early data from SITA suggests fewer baggage delays and a significant drop in luggage that cannot be recovered. While these figures come from early trials, they reflect a growing push to integrate personal tracking hardware into larger logistics systems.
Apple says AirTag 2 maintains the same privacy safeguards as the original model. Location data remains end-to-end encrypted, Bluetooth identifiers rotate frequently, and cross-platform alerts are designed to reduce the risk of unwanted tracking. Apple also reiterates that it cannot access users’ location data.
From an environmental standpoint, the new AirTag uses 85 percent recycled plastic and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in its magnets. It remains compatible with existing AirTag accessories, including key rings and luggage holders, minimizing the need for replacements.
AirTag is available in one, and four-packs for AED 129 and AED 439 , respectively.
