The new tracking sound features a more prominent tone pattern that should help you more easily locate an unknown AirTag that has been found moving with you.
- Apple is rolling out AirTag firmware version 1.0.301 which includes a tweak for the unwanted tracking sound.
- Apple argues the new tone should make for easier detection when an unknown AirTag has been found traveling with you.
AirTag firmware 1.0.301 tweaks AirTag tracking sound
While Apple has not provided release notes for any of the previous AirTag updates so far, that policy has changed with the most recent firmware. The company has acknowledged in its very first AirTag release notes that one area of improvement in the new AirTag firmware (version 1.0.301) is a tweaked tracking sound.
The tone plays when an unknown AirTag has been following you is now more prominent, Apple argues, which should make for easier detection. Apple in February 2022 introduced new measures designed to make AirTag stalking more difficult than it currently is., including louder sounds in the unwanted tracking tone sequence.
Tuning AirTag’s sound: Currently, iOS users receiving an unwanted tracking alert can play a sound to help them find the unknown AirTag. We will be adjusting the tone sequence to use more of the loudest tones to make an unknown AirTag more easily findable.
As noted by MacRumors editor-on-chief Eric Slivka, that’s exactly what the new AirTag software update appears to include.
The update has just begun rolling out and is being released in stages. Having reached one percent of users earlier this week, the AirTag firmware 1.0.301 is scheduled to reach ten percent of users on May 3 and 25 percent by May 9. The rollout should be complete for all AirTag customers by May 13. “Firmware updates are delivered periodically while your AirTag is in Bluetooth range of your iPhone,” notes Apple. Read: How to correctly read AirTag’s NFC tag with iPhone or Android
To identify the current AirTag software version, select the Items tab in the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, then touch the battery icon below the AirTag name or anywhere in this area. The text will change to show the version number.