{"id":435735,"date":"2026-01-27T04:52:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T04:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435735\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T04:52:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T04:52:08","slug":"apple-updates-airtag-longer-range-louder-sound-improved-tracking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435735\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Updates AirTag – Longer Range, Louder Sound, Improved Tracking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple has today released an updated AirTag that adds a longer finding range, a louder built\u2011in speaker, and broader Precision Finding support, while keeping the same pricing as the original model. The device continues to rely on Apple\u2019s Find My network to help users locate everyday items such as keys, bags, or luggage.<\/p>\n

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WHAT\u2019S NEW<\/p>\n

Broader Precision Finding and Bluetooth range \u2013 The new AirTag uses Apple\u2019s second\u2011generation Ultra Wideband chip, the same chip found in current iPhone and Apple Watch models. Apple says Precision Finding can now guide users from up to 50 percent farther away than before, using haptic, visual, and audio feedback. A new Bluetooth chip also extends the distance at which an AirTag can be located.
\nApple Watch support for Precision Finding \u2013 For the first time, users can run Precision Finding directly from compatible Apple Watch models. Apple Watch Series 9 or later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, with watchOS 26.2.1, are supported.
\nLouder speaker \u2013 A redesign of the internal hardware makes the speaker around 50% louder, enabling the tag to be heard from up to roughly twice as far as the previous generation. Apple notes this helps in situations such as searching for keys in couch cushions or a wallet while heading out the door.<\/p>\n

PRIVACY & SECURITY<\/p>\n

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AirTag is designed exclusively for tracking objects, not people or pets, and incorporates protections against unwanted tracking. Apple states the device does not store location history on the tag itself, and communications with the Find My network are end\u2011to\u2011end encrypted. Unique Bluetooth identifiers rotate frequently, and cross\u2011platform alerts are included to prevent misuse.<\/p>\n

Share Item Location for lost luggage and similar use cases.<\/p>\n

The updated AirTag integrates with Apple\u2019s Share Item Location feature. This allows users to temporarily and securely share an item\u2019s location with trusted third parties, such as participating airlines, to help recover delayed or lost luggage. Apple says it has partnered with more than 50 airlines for this feature.<\/p>\n

The new AirTag maintains the same physical form factor as the original, so it remains compatible with existing AirTag accessories. Apple also highlights recycled materials used in the enclosure, magnets, and circuit board plating, plus fibre\u2011based packaging.<\/p>\n

APPLE HOME PERSPECTIVE<\/p>\n

Whilst UWB is supported by Apple for smart locks such as the Aqara Smart Lock U400, AirTags aren\u2019t currently part of that equation. However, because in addition to UWB, AirTags also rely on NFC, this allows them to trigger Siri Shortcuts that can include Apple Home automations. Whether Apple plans to expand this integration in the future remains purely speculative, but UWB in particular feels like it still has far more potential to offer within the wider Apple ecosystem, and possibly Apple Home as well.<\/p>\n

PRICING & AVAILABILITY<\/p>\n

Price stays at US$29 (or your local equivalent) for a single AirTag and US$99 for a four\u2011pack. Free personalised engraving is offered when buying directly from Apple.
\nAvailability: order now on Apple\u2019s website and the Apple Store app, with in\u2011store availability later in the week, plus through authorised resellers.
\nCompatibility requirements: requires iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or iPad with iPadOS 26 or later; certain features require Find My in iCloud settings. Precision Finding on Apple Watch needs watchOS 26.2.1 on supported models.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Apple has today released an updated AirTag that adds a longer finding range, a louder built\u2011in speaker, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":435736,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[2934,1572,49,48,2943,61,115449],"class_list":{"0":"post-435735","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-airtag","9":"tag-apple","10":"tag-ca","11":"tag-canada","12":"tag-find-my","13":"tag-technology","14":"tag-uwb"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}