One of my AirTags is from when they launched, and it systematically drains any battery in two months. Ones I bought later last for a year.
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Apple Rolling Out Updated Firmware for AirTags [Updated]
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All 8 of mine updated yesterday. I am sceptical of this 1% thing!
Curiously, all my airtags are updated to 2.0.73 - except the one on my bicycle, which is outside in my shed - its still on 1.0.301 !! I wonder if it won't update firmware without a certain signal strength
One in the car takes longer, the rest are mostly updated. so yes, signal reaching might be the problem.
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one is outside the car.
one in the house near the door.
these are always the last to update.
updates are just random,
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Very variable and inconsistent for me. The one under my bicycle seat, which is exposed to extreme temperatures and outside conditions, has lasted for about 8 months so far. The one in my nice, warm wallet needs more regular replacement - every 4 or 5 months. The one in my bag has lasted for 10 months now, and the one on my keyring I think has been going for around 6 months.
I just buy cheap batteries. Anyone know if it really is worth buying more expensive ones?
Mine are all on 2.0.73, including the bike outside - which I used today. This "1% of users" thing doesn't sound right.
But 1.0.301 is ancient. Could be a faulty Tag? Surely when you're in the car, on the bike etc, you're close enough?
No, Depending on the location of passing by other Apple devices, it does induce updates. The one in my car sits by itself in the outside driving area. if there is a lot of inference yes air tag can't update right. That's why you have to bring them inside over right to update it. I had to do this in the early updates. They didn't update for months. until I place it overnight near my iPhone. Then it updated. After wasn't a problem and updated within a day.
Am I the only one that hopes in one of these updates they change the ping sound? The current one is really hard for me to triangulate in my brain where on earth it's coming from.
Same thing, key ring and backpack with me and updated. Car in parking lot not updated. Seems like proximity to iPhone has something to do with update.
Batteries plus carries procell too. Not cheap, but I’ve had much better luck with procell in other applications (9v batteries)
Update
Took car tag inside and left it next to my phone. After 1.5 hours car AirTag updated
Here it is, one day after release, and my one & only AirTag (dog collar) has updated already. Way to go, Apple!
This a million times. I use my airpods pro 2 with many products beyond Apple and don't have a direct way to keep the firmware updated on them or even check. But able to do this with my Bose and Sony products with a phone or computer.
Airtags are the worst product Apple sells. I bought a three pack and barely use them. First off, every device Apple sells has a "Find my" mode that will help with location and it plays a sound so you don't need them with an Apple device. So they only other use is for things other than Apple. You can't use it for a stollen item as it will alert the thief that it is there, and for my camera equipment, the airtags notify me often when I don't want a notification and when I would want a notification it comes 30 minutes later which is useless. I'll never buy them again.
A little education on it's use is recommended! AND....Apple only sells them individually or a four pack; not three!
It's now been years, and all of my AirTags are still on the original firmware, 1.0.291 and 1.0301. They sit within 6' of my iPhone for hours at a time (I work from home), nothing seems to get these tags to update, I have replaced batteries, reset AirTags and iPhone. Really strange that this is not updating.
Batteries are a HUGE hit or miss on Amazon. Have to purchase a brand name, and like you said, get the best of the best.
I had the same battery life issues with just 1 of a 4pk.
Unfortunately it was the one on my wallet so if I happened to lose it during that timeframe I’d really be hosed.
I got around to replacing the battery and so far it’s lasted longer than the original battery did so it may have just been the battery itself.
