AirTags: Apple's Item Trackers - Everything You Need to Know

[MacRumors]

Apple first introduced the AirTag in April 2021, and then followed it up with a second-generation version in January 2026. The small circular AirTag is designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets to allow these accessories to be tracked using Bluetooth or Ultra Wideband (UWB) right alongside Apple devices in the Find My app.

AirTag Price

A single AirTag is priced at $29, and a package of four AirTags can be purchased for $99. Prices have not changed after the release of the AirTag 2.

AirTags are available directly from Apple, and that price point does not include the accessories needed to attach the AirTag to an item. Apple sells AirTags accessories separately, and there are also several third-party options.

Third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are also offering AirTags for sale, and there can sometimes be good deals available.

AirTags Design

The AirTag is a small, button-shaped tracking device with a glossy white front that can be customized with an engraving and a silver backing. AirTags are designed around the CR2032 batteries that are inside, and need additional accessories to attach to an item.

There have been no notable design changes between the original AirTag and the second-generation model, and the overall look is the same. The text on the back of the AirTag is now capitalized, plus it mentions IP67 waterproofing, which is one way to tell the first and second models apart.

AirTag measures in at 1.26 inches in diameter, and it has a height of 0.31 inches, or 8mm. The original AirTag weighs 0.39 ounces (11 grams), while the AirTag 2 weighs 0.42 ounces or 11.8 grams.

AirTags Engraving

Each AirTag can be engraved with up to four letters or emoji characters, though there are some restrictions on multiple emoji due to size limitations. There are also limitations on some emoji strings and phrases due to Apple's content filtering.

You can't, for example, pair a horse emoji with the pile of poo emoji, nor can you use curse words.

2021 AirTag vs. 2026 AirTag 2

The second-generation version of the AirTag features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip and updated Bluetooth, both of which improve tracking range. Precision Finding, which lets you find an AirTag's specific location with your iPhone, works from 1.5x further away.

Apple added a louder speaker in the AirTag 2, and the speaker is also more firmly secured to make it harder to remove.

If you have an original AirTag, there's no real reason to upgrade, but if you're buying a new one, you'll want to make sure you have the updated model.

AirTags Features

AirTags are added and managed in the Find My app under the "Items" tab. Like other Apple devices, each AirTag is displayed on a map in the Find My app so you can see its location. AirTags connect to your iOS and macOS devices over Bluetooth. The second-generation AirTags have upgraded Bluetooth with connectivity improvements.

The original AirTag features an Ultra Wideband U1 chip, while the AirTag 2 has an upgraded U2 chip. With Ultra Wideband, you can see the AirTag's precise location indoors or outdoors if it's nearby, or see its last known location if it is not.

The second-generation UWB chip allows Precision Finding to work from 1.5x further away than before, which is the major upgrade the AirTag 2 offers over the original model.

There are built-in speakers to play a sound to find a lost AirTag in the house, and you can either play a sound through the Find My app or ask Siri to find an AirTag with a sound. The AirTag 2's speaker is up to 50 percent louder than the speaker in the original AirTag, which makes it easier to find.

If an AirTag is lost or stolen, the Find My network can help you find it. The Find My network takes advantage of hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices to help you locate an AirTag, with the AirTag showing up on a map when it is located by someone else's device.

In Lost Mode, an AirTag will automatically send out a notification when it's detected by someone in the Find My network, and you can add your contact info so someone who finds your item can get in touch with you.

Apple is able to regularly update the AirTags firmware and has done so several times since the AirTags launched.

Precision Finding

iPhones with a U1 or U2 chip can take advantage of Precision Finding, a feature that lets you see specific instructions on how to get to your lost AirTag. Precision finding combines AR, sound, and haptic feedback to help you out. Precision Finding works on the iPhone 11 and later.

For the AirTag 2, Precision Finding also works on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, because these watches have UWB chips. Precision Finding on Apple Watch is not available for the original AirTag.

Returning a Lost AirTag

If you come across a lost AirTag, or if someone comes across your lost AirTag, it can be... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirTags: Apple's Item Trackers - Everything You Need to Know

 

[VSG]

I’ll wait for the AirTags Pro to be released until I’ll get a pair.

 

[Tivoli_]

Will definitely turn my Blue Tooth off as it might drain the battery if those things will try to constantly discover or connect to my phone.

 

[fmcshan]

So excited for AirTags. Hopefully Apple will release them at some point this week (or at least sometime soon). 🤞 Great article summing up everything we know so far MacRumors!

 

[acorntoy]

Will definitely turn my Blue Tooth off as it might drain the battery if those things will try to constantly discover or connect to my phone.

The way Bluetooth has evolved stops battery drain on devices like these. Search Bluetooth LE.

 

[Slash787]

Isn't it too big to attach to my keys?

 

[neoelectronaut]

Depending on the size I'll probably put one on my cat's collar. Heh.

 

[alexandr]

Isn't it too big to attach to my keys?

that's what she said.

 

[DinkThifferent]

Will definitely turn my Blue Tooth off as it might drain the battery if those things will try to constantly discover or connect to my phone.

I have bluetooth always on due to my Apple Watch and also to connect my BT headphones. Similarly i have BT turned on, on my iPad to listen to music or play games. I have never noticed my iPad (or phone) to die quicker with BT turned on then with BT turned off.

BT used to be a battery killer, but ever since Bluetooth 4 was introduced it has hardly any impact on the battery anymore. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_4

 

[Le Big Mac]

I have a hard time believing they'll be shaped like Mentos as shown in the mock-up picture. Pretty hard to stick that shape to anything because the contact point is pretty small. Seems like a disk would be a better choice for adhesion.

 

[alexandr]

mmm, Airm&ms!

 

[MoreRumors?]

TBH, after Apple merged Find My Friends and Find My Device, it doesn’t seem to work as well and there is no Refresh tab in the new Find My app. I would hold off on investing these until the app improves. Find People option seem to take quite a while before it locates the person. At times, I find the Find Device to be inaccurate at times too.

 

[Chomp81]

Geez! You have more information than what Apple will put in their website *IF* they actually launch... *cough* Airpower *Cough*

 

[marc1184]

If you go to the new AirPods Pro website, at the bottom you can preview the AR used to find the lost AirPods Pro. I’m sure this will be how AirTags will show up as well.

 

[Mike MA]

For me this one looks like a preferred candidate to access the circle of brickable devices due to allegedly missing wired restore options. HomePod, Apple Watch and TV are proud members already.

 

[marc1184]

“Hey Siri, where is my wallet”?
Siri: “It’s at the Apple Store buying everything in sight”

 

[TGM85]

What will AirTags cost?

[...] similar products from companies like Tile are priced in the range of $25 to $35 for a single Bluetooth tracker.

Apple's AirTags could be priced similarly.

😂 Sure they will be.

Expect at least a 79.95 per tag price point.

 

[Yojimbo007]

What are the dimensions of these tags?

 

[harriska2]

Battery replaceable tiles are $15 when on sale. I expect Apple’s to cost $30-$50 with no option to have a replaceable battery.

 

[DamoTheBrave]

Judging by that main pic - they look delicious.

 

[rmoliv]

Waiting for the AirTags Pro.

 

[Juicy Box]

Apple needs to put one of these in the Siri Remote.

Judging by that main pic - they look delicious.

I wonder if they might become a hazard for infants and toddlers.

 

[Joniz]

Depending on the size I'll probably put one on my cat's collar. Heh.

That’s a good idea. If they’re big and heavy enough, the cat will be stuck on the floor, unable to lift its head, and you’ll always know where it is!

 

[44267547]

I love the concept of these, and I think they’re going to be ridiculously popular. But speaking for myself, I’m not one to misplace things, I always tend to have track mentally somewhere where all my belongings are. Now, we all lose things at some time, maybe it’s just because I’m just organized/structured that I don’t feel this product would be for me, but I definitely _could_ make the recommendation for several people I know that would love something like this.

 

[Knightcastle]

Isn't it too big to attach to my keys?

What are the dimensions of these tags?

Nobody knows the size yet...? Did you read the article?