Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code

The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products.

AirTag 2 Mock Feature
Here's what's supposedly coming:

  • An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. ‌AirTag‌ pairing is already fairly simple, but there's room for improvement with the naming and emoji selection.
  • Detailed battery level reporting.
  • An "Improved Moving" feature that Macworld speculates will allow users to find the precise location of an ‌AirTag‌ when it's moving. Precision Finding in the current ‌AirTag‌ can't handle movement well.
  • A feature for improving tracking in crowded places.

We've been hearing rumors about a new version of the ‌AirTag‌ for years now, and it's supposedly getting upgraded tracking with a new Ultra Wideband chip. The new chip will improve Precision Finding range, and it could also add these new tracking capabilities.

So far, there have been no rumors of a redesign, so the ‌AirTag‌ 2 will presumably look like the original ‌AirTag‌. It will continue to feature a replaceable battery, though it could also get upgraded speakers that are harder to remove.

The ‌AirTag‌ is apparently labeled "2025AirTag" in the ‌iOS 26‌ code, which suggests that Apple might have been planning to release it in 2025. At this point, it's not clear when it will launch, but it's looking like we might get it in early 2026.

Macworld also spotted signs of the next-generation HomePod mini with S10 chip, a smarter version of Siri, and references to the home hub device that Apple is working on. We've previously seen extensive rumors about all of these products, and rumors suggest we'll see them around the March or April timeframe.

Related Roundups: AirTag, iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iOS 26

Popular Stories

iOS 26 6 2

Apple Releases iOS 26.6.2

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:47 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.6.2 with a fix for "an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a cellular connection." The minor software update is rolling out now for the iPhone 11 series and newer. To update your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. It might take a few minutes for the update to be visible to everyone. iOS 26.6.2 arrives...
ios 26 7

Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes

Monday September 14, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with iOS 27 listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface. According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features. Apple will eventually show iOS 27 ...
apple lock security bug vulnerability fix privacy

iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bugs

Monday September 14, 2026 11:36 am PDT by
Today's iOS 27 update addresses over 100 security vulnerabilities, which is a good reason to install the new software. If you don't want to update to iOS 27 yet, Apple also released iOS 26.7 with over 80 security fixes. 75 of the fixes are shared across both updates, so iOS 26.7 addresses many of the same issues. There are multiple kernel fixes, including one that could allow a malicious...

Top Rated Comments

alexandr Avatar
10 months ago

Would like Apple to have a BUILT-IN battery 🔋

We would all prefer MagSafe chargering
I wouldn't — it would never last nearly as long as it does now. Some of the AirTags I have are mounted and attached in various places, I'd rather not pull them out every couple of weeks.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
10 months ago
They should make a credit card-sized version already. Or allow third-party manufacturers to implement precision finding.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A.W.. Avatar
10 months ago
Looking forward to the release
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A.W.. Avatar
10 months ago

Would like Apple to have a BUILT-IN battery 🔋

We would all prefer MagSafe chargering
But then you would have to throw it when the battery is out of life. It's very big problem with the Apple Pencil
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alan-in-CO Avatar
10 months ago

I wouldn't — it would never last nearly as long as it does now. Some of the AirTags I have are mounted and attached in various places, I'd rather not pull them out every couple of weeks.
Agree. I have some in very hard places to get to. A company called ElevationLab makes a multi-year battery case that looks interesting. I have nothing to do with the company, but I have purchased some of their other AirTag cases over the years and have been very happy with them.

5-year AirTag battery case ('https://www.elevationlab.com/products/airtag-compact-battery?mc_cid=05e876753f&mc_eid=517a8cd77a')
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MakaniKai Avatar
10 months ago
It’s unsurprising that the updates are minimal. The current AirTag is absolutely fantastic. They created a nearly perfect tracker right from the start imo. I love my AirTags and put them on around 16 items so far. I guess my wishlist would basically be longer range, louder speaker, and improved ability to tell me how far above/below me it is, not just how far distance wise (so I know if I left something upstairs or downstairs).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)