Apple Reveals New AirTag Features Added in Latest Firmware Updates

Apple has released two firmware updates for its AirTag item trackers since November, but at the time the company didn't provide any information on what was changed. Earlier this week, Apple finally updated a support document explaining what's new.

AitTag New Firmware
According to Apple, firmware update 2.0.24 allows AirTag owners to use Precision Finding to help locate an unknown AirTag with their iPhone.

Also introduced in update 2.0.24, if a user's iPhone is awake, a new notification alerts them when an AirTag that's been separated from its owner is nearby and emitting a sound to indicate it has been moved. It can then be tracked down by sound or Precision Finding if the feature is available. Apple says that this change will also help if the AirTag sound is hard to hear or if the speaker has been tampered with.

The two features were promised by Apple earlier this year in a bid to prevent AirTags from being used for stalking purposes.

In addition, Apple says the latest firmware update, 2.0.36, resolves an issue with the AirTag accelerometer not activating in certain scenarios. All the features outlined above require iOS 16.2 or later, while the features that use Precision Finding require an iPhone 11 or later models with the U1 Ultra Wideband chip.

It is not possible to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your ‌‌iPhone‌‌, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device. You can check your current AirTag firmware version through the Find My app, with instructions available in our how to.

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Top Rated Comments

MyOwnDrummer Avatar
30 months ago
If I am understsanding correctly, the AirTag is useless for attaching to items in case they get stolen. The thief gets alerted if they have an iPhone and can find and discard the AirTag. Am I correct?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
30 months ago
In other words, making it even less useful as an anti-theft tracking device. When Apple gets done with all these AirTag firmware updates the only remaining feature will be finding the AirTag sitting right in front of you.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bill Av Avatar
30 months ago
I can see everyone and everything in Family Sharing; their computers, AirPods, Watches, iPhones, iPads. Just not their AirTags. What sense does that make?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gfurry Avatar
30 months ago
How about 48 hours for the stalker alert and allow family sharing so you can find any airtag (just like you can do with any other Apple device) in your family? How did this get out of the lab? A family set of car keys requires the owner to find it regardless who has the car or the keys to have an air tag for every family member on the keychain ??‍♂️
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macford Avatar
30 months ago
Those poor baggage handlers at the airport who own iPhones. That thing will be pinging constantly.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spanky Deluxe Avatar
30 months ago
I just want them to finally add family sharing of AirTag tracking so that everyone in a family can see where devices. Until they add that much needed feature, I won't be buying any more AirTags as I'd need to buy two for everything I want to track, which is dumb.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)