Apple finally launched its item tracker, the AirTag, earlier this year. And now the company is announcing (before this year’s WWDC no less) that major improvements are on the way. That comes in the form of new security measures and an upcoming Android app.
Apple’s AirTag relies on the Find My network to function properly. One of the benefits of being within the Apple ecosystem. But it is just an item tracker, which means Apple should be trying to get as many people as possible to buy one. Which is where a future Android app comes in.
And, indeed, the company is working on such an app. That’s based on a story today from CNET, which got confirmation from Apple that a future Android app is being developed. But, what’s more, the company is also working on additional security measures for its item tracker, too.
That security update is already rolling out, according to the report. The company is sending an over-the-air update that is designed to shorten the amount of time before an unknown AirTag alerts you to its presence. It’s meant to address the company’s anti-stalking efforts, and this should be a welcomed addition.
Related: What it looks like when an AirTag is stalking you
With this update, the time between a notification is much shorter. In its current state, an AirTag will play a tone three days after it has been away from its original owner. Now, with this update, the AirTag will play a tone randomly in eight hours after being away from its owner, and within 24 hours.
As for the Android app, that is in the works, too:
To further reassure people about its AirTags, Apple said it’s developing an app for Android devices that will help people ‘detect’ an AirTag or Find My network-enabled device that may also be unsuspectedly ‘traveling’ with them. The app will be released later this year.
No specific date to circle on the calendar for a release, but at least the Android app is coming before the end of 2021.
These are welcomed changes to AirTag, for sure. Better late than never, right?