Apple has revamped its small locator and launched a New AirTag with greater wireless range and improved search accuracyAt first glance, the change is barely noticeable, but inside it comes with completely updated hardware designed to locate everyday objects more easily.
This accessory remains integrated into the Search app and is aimed at those who want to keep track of keys, backpacks, suitcases, wallets and other personal itemsWith a more advanced ultra-wideband chip, optimized Bluetooth, and a significantly more powerful speaker, the device aims to establish itself as a discreet yet useful everyday companion in Spain and the rest of Europe.
An AirTag with greater range and more refined Precision Search
The key change is on the inside: the new model incorporates a second generation ultra-wideband (UWB) chipThe same one used in the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11. Thanks to this component, the guidance function is more reliable and allows you to find an object from approximately 50% more distance than with the original AirTagcombining visual signals, vibration, and sound.
In addition to UWB, Apple has adjusted the Bluetooth module to extend the range in which the AirTag can be detectedThis means the signal travels further and with less loss, which is useful when an object is left behind on another floor of the house, in the garage, or in a large, busy environment.
Another important novelty is that Precision Search is no longer limited to the iPhoneUsers can also launch this feature from their wrist with an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, as long as they have a compatible version of watchOS. For many, it will be more convenient to follow directions from their watch while moving around their home or an airport terminal.
The location experience combines arrows on screen, haptic feedback, and sounds that intensify As you approach the AirTag, ultra-wideband technology provides much more detailed distance and direction information than a simple Bluetooth strength indicator, making it easier to adjust your path until you find the object.
Keep in mind that the The expanded Precision Search range is linked to the latest devicesModels like the iPhone 17, the iPhone 16 and 15 families, as well as the iPhone Air, take full advantage of this leap thanks to the new UWB chips, while with older iPhones the search still works, but without that extra distance compared to the first generation AirTag.
More powerful speaker and new alert tone
The internal redesign of the AirTag also affects the sound. Apple has managed to integrate a Speaker with up to 50% more volume than the previous modelwhich, in practice, allows you to hear the search beep from approximately twice the distance.
In everyday situations, this is noticeable when trying finding keys dropped behind the sofa, a wallet in an overstuffed backpack, or a suitcase in a storage roomEven if there is background noise or the accessory is hidden among clothes or cushions, the tone sounds more present and makes it easier to perceive from what area the sound is coming.
Along with that power increase, the device debuts a distinctive sound specifically designed for location alertsThe goal is to clearly differentiate it from other alerts in the Apple ecosystem, so that when playback is activated from the Search app, there is no doubt that the sound heard belongs to the AirTag.
These improvements address a relatively common complaint among users of the first generation, who felt that The original audio fell short in large or especially noisy spacessuch as stations, airports, or shopping centers. The new design aims to better cover precisely those use cases.
The increase in volume occurs without changing the external size, so The AirTag remains just as compact and compatible with existing accessoriesThe change lies in the internal structure and the speaker's design itself, which makes better use of the available space.
Network Search and Share Object Location: This is how collaboration works
As with the previous generation, the new AirTag relies on the Apple's Search network, a collaborative infrastructure of millions of devices which helps locate lost accessories and equipment. When an AirTag goes out of direct range of the iPhone or iPad it's paired with, other nearby Apple devices can detect its Bluetooth signal and anonymously send its approximate location to the owner.
This entire process happens in the background, without users who involuntarily lend their device having to do anything. When they open the Search app, the AirTag owner can see where your location was last detectedThis serves as a clue to recover backpacks, luggage or bags that may have been left behind.
The new model also integrates with Share Object Location, an iOS feature designed to allow the user Temporarily share your AirTag's location with trusted third partiesThis option is especially useful in situations such as managing checked baggage with airlines or tracking packages during shipping.
Apple claims to already be collaborating with More than 50 airlines worldwide to accept Object Location Sharing links privately. According to data provided by SITA, a technology provider for the aviation sector, this tool has contributed to to reduce baggage return delays by around 26% and cases of unrecoverable suitcases by approximately 90%..
Access to that information is limited to authorized personnel of the company or entity with which the link is sharedwho must authenticate through a secure Apple Account or via the partner's own verification system. The owner always maintains control: they can revoke access at any time, sharing is automatically deactivated when the item is marked as recovered, and in any case, The system automatically cuts off access after seven days..
Privacy and security: measures against unwanted tracking
Alongside the technical improvements, Apple insists that the AirTag It is designed exclusively for locating objects, not people or pets.This idea is reflected in the system design and in the measures implemented to prevent misuse of the locator.
The device does not physically store location data or histories in its memory, and All communications with the Buscar network are protected by end-to-end encryptionThis means that only the owner of the AirTag can see the location data associated with their account.
As the company explains, Neither other users nor Apple itself can know the identity or exact location of the devices who have collaborated in finding an AirTag within the network. The iPhones, iPads, or Macs that help in the location do so anonymously, without exposing their owners' personal information.
To prevent unwanted tracking attempts, the new model maintains Bluetooth identifiers that rotate frequentlyThis prevents prolonged tracking of the same device and is complemented by alerts on different platforms. If the system detects an AirTag moving with a person and not linked to their account, alerts are sent so they can locate and deactivate it if necessary.
These measures expand upon mechanisms already present in the first generation, such as Automatic notifications on the iPhone when an unauthorized AirTag is suspected nearby for an extended period of time. The idea is that the accessory remains useful for finding objects without becoming a surveillance tool.
Continuity in design and a commitment to sustainability
Aesthetically, the new AirTag looks familiar: It maintains the same size, format and general appearance as the model presented in 2021This continuity ensures that all existing accessories—cases, keyrings, adhesive mounts, or luggage straps—remain compatible with the second generation.
The evolution is most noticeable in the materials and the manufacturing process. The locator is part of Apple's Strategy 2030, the plan with which the company aspires to achieve climate neutrality throughout its value chain before the end of the decade. In this sense, the casing includes around a 85% recycled plastic, are used 100% recycled rare earth elements in the magnets y 100% recycled gold in printed circuit boards designed by Apple itself.
The packaging has also changed: it is now manufactured entirely from recyclable paper fibersvirtually eliminating the use of plastic in the box. This approach is similar to the one the company is applying to other recent products in its catalog.
As for accessories, maintaining the same format allows you to continue using familiar keychains and mounts, but Apple adds the following as a standout option: fine braided keychainThis accessory is made with approximately one 68% recycled content and it is offered in several colors, including fox orange, midnight purple, navy blue, moss green and black.
The fact that the device retains its original volume and shape also simplifies adoption for those who already owned several AirTags: It is not necessary to replace all the accessoriesIt is enough to replace or add units according to the needs of each user.
Prices, compatibility and availability in Spain and Europe
In the European market, the new AirTag arrives with a Official price of €35 for the individual unit y €119 for the four-packIt can be purchased on the Apple website, in the Apple Store app, and at authorized retailers throughout Spain and the rest of the European Union.
Those who choose to buy online can Add a custom engraving at no extra cost.Whether with initials, emoticons, or short identifying texts, this option helps differentiate several AirTags from the same family or company and allows you to know at a glance what each one is intended for.
To use the new generation of this locator, you need to have a iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26 or laterAdditionally, you need an active Apple Account, be signed in to iCloud, and have the Find My feature enabled in your system settings.
The pursuit of wrist-based precision requires a Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or lateralong with a recent version of watchOS (starting with watchOS 26.2.1). Without these requirements, the AirTag will still work, but some of the benefits associated with the new ultra-wideband chip will be lost.
In other territories outside of Europe, Apple adjusts prices to local currencies, but maintains the product approach: a second generation that aims for a moderate but relevant technical leap in range, sound and overall experiencewithout breaking with the design or the accessories already established in the market.
With this update, the AirTag is consolidated as a more mature locator within the Apple ecosystemOffering greater range, more precise guidance, a noticeably louder speaker, and deeper integration with the Search network and third-party services, all accompanied by a strong focus on privacy and the use of recycled materials; a combination designed to make finding everyday objects less stressful, both at home and when traveling.
