AirTags are finally easier to find – and that’s a good thing.
Apple rolls out Firmware update 1.0.301 for AirTags This makes them louder and easier to locate.
You need iOS version 14.5 or later to download and use this feature. If you have version 14.5 or are up to date then the firmware update should already have taken place as it will be downloaded automatically.
You can verify that you have the correct firmware by going to the Items tab in the Find My app. Tapping AirTag will tell you if you have the new firmware. If you don’t have the AirTag change, you’ll likely get it later, as Apple says the firmware update will be resent periodically.
Just make sure that AirTags Are within 33 feet of your iPhone, which is the maximum Bluetooth signal range for the device.
A stalking problem
This firmware update is part of a series of changes made to AirTags after they were found to have been used to stalk people. The purpose of the louder tone is to make it easier to find unknown AirTags.
That AirTags themselves are a nice device. They’re a great way to find missing items, but some bad actors just had to ruin it for everyone. In February 2022it was discovered that some modified AirTags were being sold with security features disabled.
The good news is that Apple was quick to spot this glaring issue and took action. The company said at the time that it was working with law enforcement on AirTag abuse and laid out a plan for future changes.
It’s been a while, but these changes are finally here.
Updates across the board
Increasing the volume of the AirTag is the first of four updates. Apple plans to improve its unwanted tracking alert system to notify people sooner when an unknown AirTag is on them.
If you are a part of iOS 15.4 betaYou may have seen an inkling of this, as a message was displayed during AirTag setup stating that misusing these devices for stalking is illegal.
There are also changes to Precision Finding and Displays Alert, but the details of these updates are still unknown. Apple has said very little other than that they will be coming out later in 2022.
