Apple has launched the second-generation AirTag, nearly five years after the original made its debut, aiming to make it easier for users to track and recover their belongings. Small items like keys, wallets, and bags can now be located more accurately with the upgraded device, which boasts a longer range, a louder speaker, and improved privacy features.

The AirTag 2 is priced at Rs 3,790 for a single unit in India, while a four-pack costs Rs 12,900. Pre-orders are already open, and the tracker will hit stores starting January 30. Customers ordering online or via the Apple Store app can also avail themselves of Apple’s free personalised engraving service.

Longer Range and Improved Accuracy

The standout feature of the new AirTag is the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, the same technology found in the iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. Apple says the upgraded chip allows the AirTag 2 to detect items up to 50 percent farther away than the first model.

Bluetooth connectivity has also been improved, enhancing its ability to communicate with nearby devices. Users can locate items directly through the Find My app, or share an item’s location with trusted contacts, such as friends or even airlines, to help retrieve misplaced belongings.

Louder, Clearer Alerts

Apple has addressed feedback from the original AirTag by installing a more powerful speaker that is “50 percent louder,” making it easier to hear from greater distances. The tracker retains its familiar coin-shaped design, constructed from metal and glass, and weighs slightly more due to internal upgrades. Like its predecessor, the AirTag 2 uses a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts more than a year and carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

How AirTag 2 Helps Find Your Items

Once paired with an iPhone, the AirTag communicates via Bluetooth to guide users to nearby items using sound or Precision Finding. The Precision Finding feature, available on compatible iPhones and Apple Watches, shows both the distance and direction to the tracker.

For items beyond Bluetooth range, the AirTag relies on Apple’s Find My network, which leverages over a billion Apple devices worldwide. Any device in the network that comes close to a lost AirTag can securely and anonymously relay its location back to the owner.

Lost Mode can be activated to notify users automatically if the AirTag is detected. Anyone who comes across the tracker can tap it with an NFC-enabled smartphone to access the owner’s contact information and help return the item.

Privacy Features

Apple stresses that the AirTag 2 is “exclusively for tracking objects, and not people or pets.” The company also highlights several “industry-first” privacy measures, including cross-platform alerts and unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently, preventing unauthorised tracking while keeping data secure.

Availability and Requirements

The new AirTag is compatible with iPhones running iOS 26 or later and iPads on iPadOS 26 or newer. It is available to pre-order now, with store availability beginning January 30.