AirTag Includes U1 Chip For 'Precision Finding' Feature - MacRumors

Skip to ContentOpen Menu

• Front Page
• Roundups Show Roundups
  • AirPods 4
  • AirPods Max
  • AirPods Pro 3
  • AirTag
  • Apple Deals
  • Apple Pay
  • Apple Pro Display XDR
  • Apple Studio Display
  • Apple TV
  • Apple Vision Pro
  • Apple Watch 11
  • Apple Watch SE 3
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3
  • CarPlay
  • HomePod
  • HomePod mini
  • iMac
  • iOS 26
  • iPad
  • iPad Air
  • iPad mini
  • iPad Pro
  • iPadOS 26
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 17
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • iPhone 18
  • iPhone Air
  • Mac mini
  • Mac Pro
  • Mac Studio
  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook Pro
  • macOS Tahoe
  • watchOS 26
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• ForumsForums Show Forums menu
  • Login
  • Register
  • New Posts
  • Visit Forums

PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletterVisit Forums

• New Posts
• Login
• Register
• Visit Forums

• Alerts
• Direct messages
• Watched
• New Posts
• Visit Forums

SearchClose SearchOpen Sidebar

• AirTag
• iPhone 18
• iOS 26
• macOS Tahoe
• iPadOS 26
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Pro
• MacBook Pro
• iMac
• Mac mini
• HomePod
• Apple TV
• iPad Pro
• iPhone Air
• Apple Vision Pro
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• AirPods 4
• Apple Pro Display XDR
• Apple Watch Ultra 3
• HomePod mini
• Mac Pro
• MacBook Air
• iPad
• AirPods Max
• AirPods Pro 3
• Apple Deals
• Apple Studio Display
• Apple Watch 11
• Apple Watch SE 3
• Mac Studio
• iPad Air
• iPad mini
• CarPlay
• Apple Pay
• watchOS 26

All >

• Front Page
• Roundups
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• Upcoming Products
• Forums
• Archives
• Tips / Contact Us
• PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletter

AirTag Includes U1 Chip for 'Precision Finding' FeatureTuesday April 20, 2021 12:11 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple's long-awaited AirTag was finally unveiled today, and as expected, the small circle-shaped accessories can be attached to items like wallets, keys, and more to allow them to be tracked in the Find My app.

As was rumored ahead of release, each ‌AirTag‌ is equipped with a U1 chip, and on devices that also have U1 chips, there's a Precision Finding feature.

U1 Ultra Wideband chips are included in the iPhone 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 12, with Precision Finding able to more accurately determine the distance and direction of a lost ‌AirTag‌ when it is in range when compared to Bluetooth alone.

If you're aiming to find a lost item and you have an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or 12, Precision Finding will direct you to your lost ‌AirTag‌ using input from the camera, ARKit, accelerometer, and gyroscope, with guidance provided through sound, haptics, and visual feedback.

It will display very specific directions to get you right to where your lost item is located, which has the potential to be handy if you lose something like your keys somewhere in your home.

AirTags that are separated from their owner and out of Bluetooth range will take advantage of the ‌Find My‌ network, which uses Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The ‌Find My‌ network can detect Bluetooth signals from a lost ‌AirTag‌ and relay the location back to its owner.

Each ‌AirTag‌ is priced at $29, with a pack of four available for $99. AirTags can be purchased starting at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on April 23.

Related Roundup: AirTagBuyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)[ 141 comments ]

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.

Popular Stories

Apple Reportedly Plans to Unveil at Least Five New Products Next Week

Sunday February 22, 2026 9:48 am PST by Joe RossignolIn his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple will have a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4. In total, he expects Apple to introduce "at least five products." Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. A week ago, Apple invited selected journalists and content creators to an "Apple Experience" in...Read Full Article • 135 comments

iOS 26.3.1 Update for iPhones Coming Soon as 'Apple Experience' Nears

Sunday February 22, 2026 5:29 pm PST by Joe RossignolApple's software engineers are testing iOS 26.3.1, according to the MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. iOS 26.3.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, and it will likely be released within the next two weeks. Last month, Apple released iOS 26.2.1 with bug fixes and support for the second-generation...Read Full Article • 47 comments

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday February 20, 2026 3:21 am PST by Tim HardwickApple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone this year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that Apple will release its first foldable device in 2026. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about ...Read Full Article • 95 comments

Apple is Testing These iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone Colors

Sunday February 22, 2026 8:41 am PST by Joe RossignolThe special new color that Apple is considering for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max this year is red, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, he said that Apple is testing a "deep red" finish for the two devices. If this rumor materializes, it would be the first time that the Pro and Pro Max models ever come in red, and the iPhone 18 Pro models would be the first...Read Full Article • 103 comments

Tim Cook Warned by CIA That China Could Move on Taiwan by 2027

Tuesday February 24, 2026 4:03 am PST by Tim HardwickApple CEO Tim Cook was among a handful of top tech executives who attended a classified CIA briefing warning that China could attack Taiwan by 2027, according to a sweeping investigative report by The New York Times ($). The previously unreported briefing was apparently held in a secure room in Silicon Valley in July 2023. The meeting is said to have been arranged at the request of the...Read Full Article • 117 comments

Top Rated Comments

Jjumanji63 months agothey should at least include one standard with the Apple TV remoteScore: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️63 months agoWho’s putting those airtags into the kids lunch boxes, bag pack, shoes?Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)beryllium63 months agoI wonder if this Precision Finding software, or any other, would alert the owner if the AirTag is getting far from the owner, like when a theft happens.Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)zorinlynx63 months agoOne big problem I forsee with this is that using the feature will be so much fun I'll burn up the battery in my AirTags in the first month. :)Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)SBlue163 months ago

Can I just interject here and say something no one seems to be talking about!! The airtag IF stolen, will alert the thieve if he has an iPhone that there is a tag tracking him. So he can dispose of it and keep my wallet. How is this a good idea?? I understand the need for privacy but seriously if I wanted to track someone I can just buy something on Amazon to do it. This makes no sense if someone actually wants to rob me?!?!

That's my problem as well. I would like to use them to protect something like my bicycle. A thief will be notified there is a tracker inside and will just find it and discard it. Wtf??Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)Bazooka-joe63 months agoThe nice thing is that they are discounted in the employee discount store. £88 for fourScore: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)Read All Comments

Next Article

Apple Releases Second macOS Tahoe 26.4 Public Beta

Guides

iOS 26 Features

Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

iOS 26.3 Features

Transfer to Android tool, new weather wallpapers, and more.

50 macOS Tahoe Features

New features and lesser-known changes to check out if you're upgrading.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air

Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?

• Apple Intelligence Guide • Image Playground Guide • iPhone Mirroring Not Working? • 21 Time-Saving iPhone Tips • 14 macOS Tips to Make Your Life Easier • One AirPod Not Working? See more guides

Upcoming

iPhone 17e Early 2026

A19 chip, MagSafe, and perhaps a Dynamic Island instead of a display notch.

Apple TV Early 2026?

Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.

Smart Home Hub Early 2026?

Squarish 7-inch screen for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, and more.

HomePod mini Early 2026?

Faster chips and new colors expected.

• Low-Cost MacBook • MacBook Air • MacBook Pro • Studio Display • Mac mini • Mac Studio • iPhone 18 Pro • Foldable iPhone See full product calendar

Other Stories

Higher-End AirPods Pro Launching This Year

21 hours ago by Joe Rossignol

This is Likely the New Flagship Color for the iPhone 18 Pro

1 day ago by Tim Hardwick

Does Apple's Event Invite Hint at New MacBook Colors?

5 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

6 days ago by Joe Rossignol

iOS 26.4 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

6 days ago by Joe Rossignol