Apple has officially announced AirTag 2, now available to order and shipping later this week. While Apple is calling it simply the “new AirTag,” this is very much a second-generation update to the original tracker introduced nearly five years ago.
A true second-generation AirTag
The biggest upgrade comes from inside. AirTag 2 is powered by Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the same one found in the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11.
That new chip directly improves how accurately — and how far — you can locate lost items.
Precision Finding, now with more range
According to Apple, Precision Finding now works from up to 50 percent farther away than before. The familiar trio of guidance remains:
- Visual direction on screen
- Haptic feedback
- Audio cues
The difference is that AirTag 2 maintains accuracy at greater distances, making it easier to find items across larger spaces.
Precision Finding comes to Apple Watch
For the first time, Precision Finding isn’t limited to the iPhone.
Users with:
- Apple Watch Series 9 or later
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later
can locate AirTag 2 directly from their wrist. This brings the same guided tracking experience to Apple Watch, which feels like a natural — and overdue — expansion of the Find My ecosystem.
Louder speaker, easier recovery
Another meaningful upgrade is the built-in speaker.
Apple says the new internal design makes AirTag 2 50% louder, allowing users to hear it from up to twice the distance compared to the previous generation. This should make a noticeable difference when searching for keys, bags, or items buried under cushions or inside rooms.
Expanded Bluetooth range
Alongside Ultra Wideband improvements, AirTag 2 also includes an upgraded Bluetooth chip, extending the range at which nearby Apple devices can detect and relay its location through the Find My network.
This improves passive tracking when an item is no longer nearby but still within reach of other Apple devices.
Privacy protections remain a priority
Apple continues to emphasize privacy with AirTag 2, noting that it is:
- Designed exclusively for tracking objects
- Not intended for tracking people or pets
The company says the new AirTag includes industry-first protections against unwanted tracking, such as cross-platform alerts and frequently changing Bluetooth identifiers.
Apple didn’t share additional technical details here, likely to avoid exposing how those protections work internally.
Pricing and availability
AirTag 2 is available to order today from Apple, with shipping scheduled for later this week.
Pricing remains unchanged:
- $29 for a single AirTag
- $99 for a 4-pack
Overall, AirTag 2 is a focused refinement rather than a redesign. You get improved range, volume, and device support while keeping the core experience familiar.
Whether that’s enough to justify an upgrade will depend on how often you rely on Precision Finding, and how often you lose your keys.
