Apple’s New AirTag Adds Enhanced Tracking and Apple Watch Compatibility

Apple’s second-gen AirTag is finally official. It’s on sale now with improved Precision Finding, better Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker.

When it was first introduced almost five years ago, Apple’s AirTag changed the way many iPhone owners track everyday items likes keys. The new AirTag (not formally referred to by Apple as the AirTag 2) comes with the second-gen ultra-wideband chip that we’ve seen in products like the Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11. It keeps the same design, meaning your existing accessories will remain compatible with this new version.

Apple says it has increased the range of its Precision Finding feature by up to 50% compared with the first-gen and expanded its Bluetooth range, though it doesn’t provide specifics on that. You can also use Precision Finding from your wrist if you own an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, so you can keep tracking items without your phone.

(Credit: Apple)

For Precision Finding, the watches will need to be running watchOS 26.2.1, which is expected later today. A spokesperson confirmed to PCMag that Apple Watch tracking won’t be made available for the original AirTag.

The new AirTag’s speaker is 50% louder. Apple says it can double the distance at which you can hear it, and there’s a new chime to help it stand out, too.

The tracker works with existing features such as Find My Network, which uses nearby Apple devices to ping your item’s location. You can also share trackers directly with a trusted person if they’re nearby, or with a third party, such as an airline, to help track items down for a limited time.

It’s on sale now on Apple’s website, and will be available in stores later this week. The price remains the same as the first-gen: $29 per AirTag or $99 for a pack of four. You’ll need an iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 26 or later, to use a new AirTag.

Apple also introduced a new accessory to celebrate Black History Month: the Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop. It’s a combination of red, green, and black shades to showcase the colors of the Pan-African flag. It’s available online from today for $99 and is compatible with all models since the Apple Watch 4, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra.

The Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch (Credit: Apple)

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I’ve been a journalist for over a decade after getting my start in tech reporting back in 2013. I joined PCMag in 2025, where I cover the latest developments across the tech sphere, writing about the gadgets and services you use every day. Be sure to send me any tips you think PCMag would be interested in.

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