iOS 26 leak reveals new a AirTag is on the way – here are 4 upgrades to expect

• Leaked code from iOS 26 has revealed two upcoming Apple products
• That includes the AirTag 2 with a range of new features and upgrades
• The HomePod mini could also be in line for some changes

Apple’s AirTag 2 tracker has been rumored for what feels like a lifetime, with various whispered features leaking out left, right and center. Now, we have a fresh report that claims to be based on internal iOS 26 code, and it paints a detailed picture of what Apple could be planning for its device.

The leak comes from Macworld, which claims to have accessed an internal build of iOS 26 that has not yet been released to the public. In this build, Macworld says it’s found evidence that Apple is working on a “modest but highly anticipated” update to the AirTag.

That will apparently involve a new feature called Improved Moving. The idea behind this is that it will aid users in finding the exact location of their AirTag even when it is on the go, potentially fixing a limitation of the current AirTag.

Another new feature is dedicated to improving accurate tracking in crowded locations. Currently, AirTag relies on Bluetooth signals sent by other Apple devices to triangulate its position, but if there are too many people in a given location, Bluetooth channels can get congested and less reliable. Apple’s update aims to fix that, although we don’t know exactly how.

New features and improvements

Aside from new features, Macworld’s report also claimed that some existing AirTag features will be updated and improved. That includes enhancements to Precision Finding that could make it easier to quickly locate your AirTag. Macworld points out that although this might arrive as a software update, past rumors have suggested that Apple is working on new AirTag hardware with an Ultra Wideband chip, which could also enable this feature.

Elsewhere, Macworld touched on an improved pairing process and detailed battery level reporting coming to the AirTag in the future. We don’t have any more details on those features just yet, though.

And the AirTag wasn’t the only Apple product revealed in the leaked code – the HomePod mini also got a mention in Macworld’s report. According to the news outlet, the smart speaker will finally get new internal hardware as part of a HomePod mini 2 revamp, including an S10 chip from the Apple Watch Series 11, which should bring “faster performance and better wireless reliability.” However, Macworld’s report adds that “Based on what’s in the code, this upcoming model seems to be little more than a spec bump,” with Apple Intelligence support unlikely.

Although Macworld didn’t mention a release date for the HomePod mini 2, the site believes the AirTag will touch down in the first half of 2026, as its software features are “targeted for iOS 26.” Since iOS 27 will be revealed in the summer, it’s likely that these features will be launched before then. If that proves to be correct, we might not have to wait long to see a slate of improvements to two popular Apple devices.

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