AirTag vs AirTag 2: How to identify Apple’s latest tracker at a glance

• Apple launched a new AirTag, often called AirTag 2 by retailers and buyers
• Check back text: all caps for new AirTag, mixed case for original.
• Both versions are sold under similar names, so verify before buying

Did our AI summary help?

Apple has launched a new version of the AirTag, but you would be forgiven for not noticing. The company has avoided using a clear product name like AirTag 2 in most places, instead referring to it as “the new AirTag” or “AirTag (2nd Generation)”. This subtle naming approach can make it confusing for buyers, especially when both versions are still available through various retailers.

To keep things simple, many people are informally calling the latest model AirTag 2. Retailers such as Amazon have also stepped in to reduce confusion by labelling the older model as “Apple AirTag (1st Generation)”. Still, if you already own an AirTag or are buying one in person, the packaging name alone may not be enough to confirm which version you have.

Fortunately, Apple has left a clear physical clue on the product itself. The most reliable way to tell the difference between the original AirTag and the newer version is by checking the text etched on the back. Apple prominently features the AirTag’s back on the front of its retail packaging, so you do not even need to open the box to inspect it. If the AirTag is already out of the packaging, simply flip it over and look closely at the stainless steel surface.

On the original AirTag, the rear text reads:
AirTag
Designed by Apple in California
Assembled in China
Bluetooth LE
Ultra Wideband