Apple launches new AirTag with extended range after years of wait

It's been four and a half years since Apple released its Bluetooth-enabled item tracker, AirTag, to keep an eye on lost luggage, keys, bicycles, bags, and more. The company has now decided to refresh AirTag and boost its specifications.

The new AirTag sports Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip already found on the iPhone 17 lineup, improving the Precision Finding feature, which now works up to 50% farther away than on the previous-generation AirTag.

"For the first time, users can use Precision Finding on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, to find their AirTag, bringing a powerful experience to the wrist," Apple said. While AirTags might seem like a budget-friendly option to track your furry friends, Apple points out that it's not "designed exclusively for tracking objects, and not people or pets."

The second-generation AirTag also comes with an upgraded Bluetooth chip for extended range and an internal speaker that is 50% louder than the previous generation. It works with recent iOS 26 features like Share Item Location, which lets you share your AirTag with airlines to help find it faster.

Using the Share Item Location feature has reduced luggage delays by 26% and reduced incidences of "truly lost" or unrecoverable luggage by 90%, according to the airline IT provider SITA. In line with Apple's environmental goals, the new AirTag uses 85% recycled plastic in its enclosure, 100% recycled rare-earth elements in all magnets, and 100% recycled gold plating on Apple-designed printed circuit boards.

The second-generation AirTag is now available for purchase on Apple's website and the App Store, with retail availability to follow later this week. It's available at the same $29 price for a single pack and $99 for a four-pack. You can pair it with the $35 AirTag FineWoven Key Ring accessory.

However, the catch is that the new AirTag works with iPhones/iPads running iOS 26/iPadOS 26 or later. Similarly, the Apple Watch Precision Finding feature requires watchOS 26.2.1 running on compatible models.

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Posted Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 4:35 am AEST (my time).

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