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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)
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Top Rated Comments

alexandr Avatar
25 weeks 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
25 weeks 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
25 weeks ago
Looking forward to the release
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A.W.. Avatar
25 weeks 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
25 weeks 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
25 weeks 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)