Apple gradually rolls out new firmware for AirTag
Malcolm OwenAirTag
Apple has released new firmware for AirTag, an update that will gradually roll out to all of the tracking devices over the course of a month.
The firmware update, build number 2A61, is on its way to all AirTags around the world, but with a very slow rollout. Rather than being provided to all users in one go, it's being rolled out on a staggered basis throughout November.
According to developer @Aaronp613 on X, Apple will be distributing the firmware to one percent of users on Tuesday, October 31. By November 7, approximately 10% of devices should receive it, growing to 25% by November 14.
All accessible AirTags should be updated to the new firmware by November 28. There is no option for users to manually force an update to go through, and instead they have to wait for the update to happen gradually.
Apple has yet to advise what the update changes for the AirTag beyond the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.
Apple's last major update to the AirTag was in December 2022, which fixed an accelerometer bug.
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5 Comments
AirTags are great and curious what the updates are.
One thing that would be wonderful to try to figure out is to get AirTags better working in countries where Android is the vast majority of handsets. My understanding is that iPhones are required to pass on the "pings" that the AirTags send back to iCloud. This means luggage stolen/lost in countries with mostly Android is near impossible to locate.
I know how to determine an AirTag’s version number (nn.nn.nn) by clicking on the AirTag’s name in Find My app. How do you determine the build number or what is the version number that corresponds to the build number given in the article?
Possibly for compatibility with the new tracking notification that should be enabled any day now.
All of my AirTags are on firmware 2.0.36, which is newer than the Dec 2022 update. I wonder if mine have updated already then.
I thought AirTags only updated when they’re near your iPhone?