Apple’s AirTag 2 is expected to get an autumn release alongside the iPhone 17 family of devices, likely in September, 9to5Mac reports citing “reliable sources.”
We have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that we are able to confirm that Apple has already set up compatibility with the 2nd-gen AirTag on iOS 18.6. This means that AirTag 2 shouldn’t require iOS 26, which would have been a pretty stingy cutoff.
Now the bad news: According to reliable 9to5Mac sources, Apple is now aiming at a Fall release, likely putting its announcement around the time of the iPhone event, which usually takes place in September.
MacDailyNews Take: The rumor mill expects the following upgrades for the Apple’s AirTag 2:
• Second-Generation Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Chip: Expected to offer up to three times the tracking range (up to 200-300 feet or 60-90 meters) compared to the current AirTag’s U1 chip, improving Precision Finding accuracy. This chip debuted in the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch
• Tamper-Proof Speaker: A redesigned speaker to make it harder to disable, enhancing anti-stalking measures by ensuring alerts remain audible.
• Vision Pro/Spatial Computing Integration: Rumored compatibility with Apple’s Vision Pro headset, potentially enabling augmented reality (AR) tracking or 3D Precision Finding for more precise location visualization.
• Improved Bluetooth Connectivity: Enhanced reliability for communication with Apple devices, as hinted by iOS 26 code updates.
• Battery Life Improvements: Likely to retain the replaceable CR2032 battery but with better power efficiency for potentially longer battery life.
• Similar Design, Possible Slim Variant: No major design overhaul expected, maintaining the circular puck shape. Some rumors suggest a slimmer, card-shaped version for wallets, but this is unconfirmed.
• Enhanced Privacy Features: Stronger anti-stalking protections, such as improved unauthorized tracking alerts, building on existing Find My network safeguards.
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
