Object trackers or tracking tools? Since its launch, Apple’s AirTag has been at the heart of harassment cases, with some victims having discovered a tag hidden in a bag or car. With the AirTag 2, the Cupertino company has promised to strengthen its device, and the first major update is just starting to arrive.
The AirTag 2 firmware thus goes from version 3.0.41 to 3.0.45. Behind this number hides a targeted development: according to Apple, this update “improves the detection sound of unwanted tracking in order to more easily locate an unknown AirTag during precision search”, as reported by L’Éclaireur Fnac. Which, perhaps, makes these spy beacons more complicated to exploit.
AirTag 2: what does update 3.0.45 really change against tracking?
Concretely, version 3.0.45 retouches the sound emitted by an unknown AirTag when it is detected as a potentially abusive tracker. The goal is simple: make this beep more audible and distinct when you use the precision search feature in the Find My app on iPhone.
This development is based on the new hardware of the AirTag 2. Apple has integrated a speaker up to 50% more powerful than on the first generation, and the update somehow unlocks this tweeter for the unwanted tracking scenario. Expected result: an AirTag hidden in a bag, a car or an apartment should be found more quickly by ear.
The brand also indicates general fixes and improvements, without going into detail. Note that this new sound is reserved for second generation AirTags: AirTag 1s remain in their current behavior.
AirTag 2: can a new alert sound really curb abuse?
The basic problem remains the same: an accessory designed to find one’s keys or suitcase has been misused by malicious people to follow individuals without their knowledge. Apple had already reacted by displaying legal warnings upon configuration and sending alerts if an unknown AirTag moves with you over time.
Today, when your iPhone detects unwanted tracking, it displays a notification and allows you to launch a precision search, with a distance and direction indicator. With 3.0.45, this visual guidance is reinforced by a more impactful sound emitted by the AirTag 2, which increases the chances of finding it even if it is hidden deep in luggage or a corner of a vehicle.
Is this enough to put an end to the abuses? No. The first generation AirTags do not benefit from this new beep, and protection still depends on active settings on the smartphone side (Bluetooth, location, notifications). An AirTag muffled in a box, or from someone who can’t hear well, will remain difficult to spot. But the window during which a person can be tracked before finding the beacon is shrinking.
AirTag 2: how to take advantage of update 3.0.45 and check your security?
The AirTag 2 updates automatically in the background whenever the tag is near the iPhone it is linked to, with Bluetooth and tethering enabled. Cannot force download manually; the deployment is done in waves, so you may have to wait a few days.
To check the installed version, open the Find My app on your iPhone, go to the Objects tab, select your AirTag 2 then tap its name: the serial number and firmware are displayed. If you see 3.0.45, your beacon benefits from the new alert sound.
If you receive an unwanted tracking notification or hear a suspicious beep, follow the Find My instructions to approach the AirTag, then deactivate it by removing the battery and note its serial number. Tracking a person without their consent constitutes an offense in France; keeping the screenshots and the tag may help in the event of a complaint.