Apple Releases Revised AirTag Firmware Update

[itsmeaustend]

Firmware updates for Apple devices are all over the bloody place, its the software update page for the iPhone and iPad separately for each device, home app for homepod, watch app for that, AirPods its just random for that update as is AirTags.

Please Apple, for every device connected to your account why can't it all be listed under the software updates page on the iPhone/iPad where it shows the software version and a simple check all at once as well as individually like app updates, would make updates so much easier when done manually.

I don't care whether my Mac or iPad has an update while I'm using my phone. If I wanted to check for updates I would check the actual device. This would potentially be far too messy in a few different ways. Just not worth it.

Apple doesn't give you the ability to check for AirTag and AirPod updates for a good reason. This is because unlike major OS releases where Apple releases it to every user simulatenously, for small devices (Such as AirTags and AirPods) they typically release the updates gradually in batches. They don't want you to be angry at the "Check for update" feature if it doesn't grant you the latest update because you're not included in the roll-out yet. It's better you don't know there's an update and it just happens rather than you arguing with the Update Checker.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Five of my six have updated now.

 

[sparkinstx]

They must be getting more aggressive about pushing the updates. Mine was still at .225 yesterday, but now I see it has the .276 firmware.

 

[Robert.Walter]

What they call "anti-stalking" I call "pro-thief".
If someone steals my bag I want the tracking to keep working, and I don't want the tag warning the thief that a tag is present, perhaps in a hard to find pocket or even stuffed into the lining. When you buy a product it should be on your side.

These were never marketed as an anti theft device; that dissatisfaction is on you.

They’re not pro-thief, that’s a hyperbolic take, as they don’t help thieves steal anything. And more appropriately, with regard to de-stalkerizing, when one buys a product it should not have the potential to be so used against others.

 

[Wando64]

go to find my, click

I had to do a double read

 

[now i see it]

Another Apple device, another firmware update. Own enough Apple devices and you can spend your whole life updating them endlessly

 

[visualseed]

I just got a 4 pack and they all seem to be on the older firmware. I guess I'm free to stalk until the man finds me with his oppressive firmware.

 

[martinctv]

Im still on 1.0.225 for all tags.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Still 2 for 2. Called Apple Support, no help there.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Removing and re-adding instantly triggered the update.

Only worked for one of mine

 

[antmarobel]

Forget about all this, 2 weeks gone, where are macOS Monterrey and iOS 15 beta 2??…🤔

 

[frenchcamp49er]

3 out of 4 now. Apple needs to come up with a better way for updating these.

 

[CarlJ]

what has an Airtag update got to do with Safari 🤔

“It’s an older meme, sir, but it checks out.”

 

[J-7]

While I understand Apple’s desire to not facilitate creepy activities, the greatest utility of a tag is probably tracking things (i.e., being aware of a distant or infrequently seen item’s location) rather than finding stuff that is lost. These are less useful than they could have been.

 

[dankron]

Ok, I have a question if the update is to prevent stalking, and a stalker really wants to use the device to track someone, can he just NOT update and keep using the device with the old firmware that will allow him to stalk someone for 3 days?

Asking for a friend

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Ok, I have a question if the update is to prevent stalking, and a stalker really wants to use the device to track someone, can he just NOT update and keep using the device with the old firmware that will allow him to stalk someone for 3 days?

Asking for a friend

The warning has popped up on my wife's phone when she uses my car. Three times total I believe, after the second time I noticed it will allow the phone user to stop being notified but it notified her again. I did click not to be notified again so I'll see if it will work this time. This was with the original firmware version, and it only took a few hours to notify her.

 

[bobtem]

So a revised update… isn’t that just an update? Like saying and update to the update. Know your words, MR.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

All 4 of my tags have been updated.

 

[JetBlack7]

I did nothing at all. Yesterday they were at .225. Today they updated. Magic

Left my iPhone charging and everything enabled. Still nothing.

 

[Felix01]

I just got 1.0.276 today but I guess there's no way to tell which version of x.276 I have without actually testing the device. This is so un-Apple, it took three weeks to finally get the x.276 update but now I can't tell which build I have. What if I actually needed that anti-stalking feature but the official answer from Apple is 'just wait' til the update gets to you. Does that sound like a lawsuit waiting to be filed if someone is a stalking victim and it could have been prevented with a timely/forced firmware update?

 

[Macaholic868]

People that got the update: what did you do? Did you turn on Wi Fi and BT and put the Airtag next to the iPhone?

Basically. Most of my AirTags are in things I usually sleep near. Wallet, keys, a bag I’ve got my toiletry items in that I use at night or when I travel, a portable SSD I take with me for in my laptop bag, a separate tag for the bag itself, etc. They all updated. The one that didn’t update was the one I kept in my Jeep. I brought it in and it updated overnight.

 

[Felix01]

I didn't get the last update but just checked and got this one.

How did you determine that since the firmware version number didn't change and you don't have access to the build number?

 

[Robert.Walter]

Mine has not updated, but my wife's has. Its in the Belkin keyring holder. Anyone think I should remove it?

no.

Give it time. Or try turning your phone off and or and if no joy a force reboot of phone.

Each time you open the Belkin you are wearing down the edge of the locking nub at the top of the loop.

 

[Robert.Walter]

While I understand Apple’s desire to not facilitate creepy activities, the greatest utility of a tag is probably tracking things (i.e., being aware of a distant or infrequently seen item’s location) rather than finding stuff that is lost. These are less useful than they could have been.

Far as I know that functionality hasn’t been affected at all. Now if the object is sentient, it will be aware of tracking in ca 8hours instead of 3 days. No harm to you.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Still 2 for 2. Called Apple Support, no help there.

Clearly you are licensed to stalk.