AirTag 2: Five New Features Revealed in Leaked Code
Exclusive: The next-gen AirTag set to deliver smarter, more reliable tracking
After months of speculation, concrete details about Apple’s next-generation item tracker have finally emerged. Although AirTag 2 was widely rumored for a 2025 launch, its release remains in limbo as the year draws to a close. Now, exclusive insights from a leaked internal build of iOS 26 reveal five major improvements Apple has in development, promising a smarter, more powerful, and more precise tracking experience.
Revealed by Filipe Espósito at Macworld, these findings provide the first in-depth look at the features set to define AirTag 2. The leaked code outlines enhancements ranging from a smoother initial setup to improved tracking accuracy in challenging environments. For users who depend on AirTags to safeguard their most important belongings, these updates directly address many of the limitations seen in the first generation. Here’s a closer look at the five leaked features and what they could mean for the future of Apple’s tracking device.
Five Key Upgrades Coming to AirTag 2
The features uncovered in the iOS 26 code point to a comprehensive overhaul of AirTag’s core capabilities. While the first generation was a clear success, these upcoming updates are designed to address specific user pain points, leveraging Apple’s latest advancements to deliver a more robust and reliable tracking experience.
1. Enhanced Precision Finding
Precision Finding has long been the standout feature of the original AirTag, harnessing the U1 chip’s Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology to steer you straight to a missing item. With AirTag 2, Apple is elevating this capability through “enhanced Precision Finding.” While details remain under wraps, the improvements could cover several fronts: increased UWB range for more distant item detection, heightened accuracy that pinpoints an object’s location down to the inch, and better vertical tracking—for example, revealing whether your keys are on an upper or lower shelf. Apple may also be refining the on-screen interface, delivering a faster, more responsive arrow and distance indicators that make locating your belongings even more intuitive and seamless.
2. Improved Tracking in Crowds
One of the biggest challenges for any Bluetooth tracker is delivering reliable performance in crowded environments, where overlapping wireless signals can cause interference. The leaked code highlights a feature aimed squarely at “more accurate tracking in crowded places.” With AirTag 2, Apple appears focused on ensuring the device can cut through signal congestion at concerts, airports, or bustling city centers. This upgrade is likely driven by a more advanced wireless chip, potentially with enhanced UWB and Bluetooth capabilities. By filtering out interference and maintaining a stronger connection to your iPhone and the wider Find My network, AirTag 2 promises faster, more dependable location updates exactly when accuracy matters most.
3. Better Performance While Moving
Another notable addition, internally referred to as “Improved Moving,” is designed to boost tracking accuracy when the AirTag is in motion. Currently, AirTags can struggle to provide reliable real-time updates if the tagged item is on a moving bus, train, or in a stolen bag that’s actively being transported. AirTag 2, however, aims to deliver more frequent and accurate location updates while on the move. This upgrade could be a game-changer for tracking luggage in transit or recovering a stolen bike, offering a live trail of its movement rather than the occasional, delayed pings provided today. Achieving this will likely require a combination of enhanced power management and more efficient data transmission within the Find My network.
4. Detailed Battery Level Reporting
A simple yet highly requested upgrade for AirTag 2 is detailed battery reporting. Currently, the original AirTag only alerts users when the battery is low, leaving them in the dark about how much charge remains before it needs to be replaced. According to the leaked code, AirTag 2 will introduce “detailed battery level reporting,” likely showing an exact percentage within the Find My app—much like the battery indicators for AirPods or Apple Watch. This addition will offer valuable peace of mind, empowering users to proactively replace the battery before it runs out, and ensuring their tracker is always ready when needed.
5. An Improved Pairing Process
Apple is also aiming to streamline the pairing process. While setting up the original AirTag is straightforward, Apple continues to refine the experience to make it even more intuitive. The improved process could make initial connections faster and more seamless. New on-screen guides or enhanced customization options during setup may allow users to name their items and assign icons with greater ease. By reducing friction for both first-time and power users—especially those managing several AirTags—Apple reinforces its commitment to intuitive, user-friendly design.
When Will AirTag 2 Launch?
Notably, the leaked code includes a “2025AirTag” internal designation, indicating that Apple originally intended to launch AirTag 2 this year. While that timeline now seems unlikely, the presence of these details confirms the product is well into development. The launch may have been postponed to 2026, possibly to align with other product releases or to allow for further refinement of its features.
These leaked upgrades make it clear that AirTag 2 will be far more than a simple update. By zeroing in on core strengths—such as enhanced precision, greater reliability in complex environments, and more intuitive features like detailed battery tracking—Apple is positioning itself to strengthen its lead in the item tracker space. For current AirTag owners and those holding out for the next generation, these improvements signal a much more capable and trustworthy tracking experience ahead.
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