Code references in iOS 26 back up claims of improved precision tracking for Apple’s second-generation AirTags, particularly for situations the current model struggles with.
Following references to home accessories, an updated Studio Display, and upcoming iPads, now yet more snippets have been found in iOS 26 code. This time the most significant ones include more details of the expected AirTags 2.
There have already been references to a second generation AirTag in iOS code, but this latest discovery by Macworld gives a little more detail. It has consistently been expected that a second generation AirTag would have better or more precise tracking, and now it appears that there will be:
- Improved pairing
- Detailed battery reports
- Enhanced Precision Finding
- Improved Moving feature
In 2022, Apple removed the battery charge indicator in Find My. That meant users couldn’t know an AirTag battery needed replacing until the iPhone began showing warning notifications.
It was never clear how much time an AirTag battery had left after one of these notifications. So to avoid it happening during your holiday, you either had to take careful notes or replace the batteries before you really must.
So an improvement in battery handling would be welcome, but the most marked benefit of AirTags 2 would be this greater location precision. “Improved Moving” is said to be the name of one feature that will mean users can better track an AirTag even when it is moving.
Another feature, as yet unnamed, seemingly aims to counter the problems of tracking one AirTag in a crowded situation.
It’s easy to see how both of these could be particularly useful at airports. As luggage is being moved around the terminal, it will be being gathered together with at least some hundreds of other bags, potentially each with an AirTag.
Perhaps it’s less easy to see how pairing AirTags to an iPhone could be improved. It is already a fast and simple process, although Apple has previously improved the pairing on AirPods 4.
Note that it is possible that at least some of these features may be introduced for the current original AirTag. But others such as the precision finding would require an upgraded Ultra Wideband (UWB) processor, which would mean AirTags 2.
It is claimed that these new precision location features in the code are labelled “2025AirTag.” That suggests that prior reports of AirTag 2 coming in 2025 were correct at the time, though it’s now expected in 2026 instead.
More code leaks
Reports of references in the code to iOS 26 are being slowly eked out, but one more has already surfaced. The report claimed that there are now also references to an updated HomePod mini.
The HomePod mini is now labeled as ‘discontinued’ or ‘out of stock’ at select online retailers.
The HomePod mini was introduced back in 2020 and has yet to be updated, so it is arguably well overdue.
It’s not clear when such an update may arrive, although the code leaker presumes it will be in 2026. Back in November 2025, though, it was reported that the original HomePod mini was being discontinued, presumably in favor of a new model.