Update for iOS and watchOS makes devices ready for new AirTags
Apple released iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 for download on Monday. The update primarily includes one change.
iPhone and Apple Watch when searching for AirTag: 1.5 times more precise.
(Image: Apple)
Small update, important features: Apple released two updates for iPhone and Apple Watch owners on Monday evening. These are iOS 26.2.1 for smartphones from generation 11 onwards, which is also available for Apple tablets as iPadOS 26.2.1, and watchOS 26.2.1 for the company's smartwatches (from Series 6). Apple highlights one main function: The updates make the devices ready for the new second-generation AirTags presented on Monday. These will be available on the market later this week.
Update without security fixes
The update adds support for the second-generation AirTags and includes bug fixes, according to Apple's release notes for iOS 26.2.1. As usual, the company did not provide details about these bug fixes. The update is about 700 MB on an iPhone 16 Pro, making it small in terms of size for Apple's operating system updates. watchOS 26.2.1 is delivered with the same information. However, the update does not contain security-relevant bug fixes, as Apple states on its security updates website. iOS 26 and watchOS 26 appear to be fundamentally necessary for the use of AirTags 2.
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However, there are further updates for iOS and iPadOS that were released on Monday evening: these are versions 12.5.8, 15.8.6, 16.7.13, and 18.7.4. These do not provide compatibility with AirTags 2, but rather contain bug fixes that apply from the iPhone 5s, iPad mini 2, and even the iPod touch sixth generation. According to Apple, they fix problems with expiring certificates for iMessages and FaceTime, as well as device activation in the older versions, and provide a special emergency call function for Australia.
What the new AirTags 2 can do
Unfortunately, the innovations in Apple's second AirTag generation are very limited. Neither the battery life (still one year with a replaceable coin cell) nor the functionality has changed much. The main innovations are a 1.5 times greater range in precision finding mode (from iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2) and 50 percent louder speakers, which, however, also mean that the devices can be more easily detected by thieves. (Apple markets AirTags as purely finding devices, not for theft protection.)
The hardware itself has not changed in terms of form factor; Apple has not even included a loop to attach the devices more easily. However, the price has not changed, although the retail prices for the first-generation AirTags are currently still cheaper than those for the AirTags 2.
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