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New Apple AirTag update. For the first time this year, Apple has released a firmware update for its item tracker AirTag on Tuesday.
At the time, it wasn't entirely clear what the update added to the accessory, but on Thursday, Apple published a new support page detailing the changes.
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It turns out that the 1.0.301 firmware update for AirTag tunes in to the sound that's made when an unknown AirTag is traveling with you.
This should make it easier to find AirTags unwanted.
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AirTag update increases anti-stalking protection
Apple shared a press release in February explaining how it planned to improve anti-stalking protections on the AirTag. This was one of the main points:
- Adjusting AirTag sound:
Today, iOS users who receive an unwanted tracking alert
has the possibility of playing a sound to help them find the unknown AirTag.
We will be working on adjusting the tone sequence to make them louder to make an unknown AirTag more easily discoverable.
Based on the release notes for 1.0.301, it appears this was the only significant change in the new AirTag firmware update.
That said, it's a welcome addition. This should make it easier to find an unwanted AirTag, even if it's hidden somewhere out of the way.
According to MacRumors, Apple is rolling out the update in a staggered manner. Only 1% of users received the update on Tuesday when it was released. AirTag owners' 10% should receive the update on May 3, 25% on May 9, and everyone else on May 13.
In other words, don't panic if your AirTag hasn't been updated by the time you're reading this.
More changes coming soon
This was just one of several major improvements Apple announced in February. We're still waiting for the others, including a useful new feature called Precision Finding. As Apple explained, Precision Finding will allow users who receive an unwanted tracking alert to precisely locate the offending tracker.
In fact, if you have an iPhone 11 or newer, you can use the feature to see the distance and direction of the AirTag when it is in range.
Apple will also add a notification that appears when an unwanted tracking alert sounds.
In fact Alert will give iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users the ability to play the noise or use Precision Finding. This will be especially useful if your AirTag is too far away to hear.
It could also alleviate concerns about AirTags with speakers that have been tampered with.
Additionally, Apple plans to refine the logic of the AirTag's unwanted tracking alert system.
Ultimately Apple wants users to know as quickly as possible when an unwanted AirTag is traveling with them.
It is not clear exactly when all these new features will be available, but Apple wants to introduce them before the end of the year
