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

elevation lab airtag silencer

Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns

Tuesday October 13, 2026 2:14 pm PDT by
Earlier this year, Elevation Lab announced the launch of a "Silencer" for AirTag meant to pierce the speaker on the device to disable the sound. Elevation Lab explained that it created the Silencer to keep thieves from detecting an AirTag on valuable products like bikes, but the company didn't think easy speaker removal would be problematic. The AirTag plays a sound when it is away from...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Apple Fixes Possibly Exploited CoreGraphics Flaw on Older iPhones

Tuesday October 27, 2026 5:16 am PDT by
Among the flurry of iOS 27.2 releases on Monday, Apple also pushed a wave of software updates for its older operating systems, including a fix for a CoreGraphics vulnerability that Apple says may have been exploited in targeted attacks. The releases include iOS 26.7.2, iPadOS 26.7.2, iOS 18.7.11, iPadOS 18.7.11, macOS Tahoe 26.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.8.2, and tvOS 26.6.1. iOS 18.7.11 and...
iOS 28 AI

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by
Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

Top Rated Comments

alexandr Avatar
12 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
12 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
12 months ago
Looking forward to the release
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A.W.. Avatar
12 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
12 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
12 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)
Latest Stories
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
MacBook Pro With PROLED XDR Display: Details You Might Have Missed
11 minutes ago
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
Satechi Offers MacRumors Readers 30% Off Select Accessories in Early Black Friday Sale
33 minutes ago
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
Leaker Envisions a Shorter iPhone With a New iOS Layout
1 hour ago
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
Apple to Give You More Control Over When Your Mac Passwords Lock
2 hours ago
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
Siri Is Getting a Better Memory
2 hours ago
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
iPhone 18e Could Feature Bigger Display and Battery
3 hours ago
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
Apple's Siri Boss May Leave - Here's Who Could Take Over
3 hours ago
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday
3 hours ago
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
Apple Store Subscription Sign-Up Controversy Exposed
12 hours ago
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
22 hours ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
1 day ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
2 days ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
2 days ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
3 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
3 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
3 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
3 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
3 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
3 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
3 days ago
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
3 days ago
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
3 days ago
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
3 days ago
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
3 days ago
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
3 days ago
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
3 days ago
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
4 days ago