Apple has updated AirTag's firmware on Apr. 29, just seven months after the tech giant released the latest version to owners of the item tracker.
Apple Updates AirTag's Firmware
Apple is starting to roll out a new version of firmware to its AirTag item trackers, according to 9to5Mac. The new version of AirTag firmware comes seven months after the previous release.
In 2021, the tech giant made improvements to anti-stalking features for the AirTags and also launched an app for Android users to discover an AirTag, according to MacRumors.
The latest firmware release is version 1.0.391, and it features a build number of 1A301. Before Apr. 29, the most recent version of AirTag firmware was version 1.0.291 and featured build number 1A291e.
To be able to check the firmware version of your AirTag, just open the "Find My" application on your iPhone, then choose the Items tab in the bottom navigation bar.
Next, choose your AirTag from the list of items and tap on the name of your device. Doing this should reveal the serial number and firmware version of your item tracker.
There is also no way to force any update. Instead, just make sure that the AirTag is in range of your iPhone, and it should automatically update.
It is also possible that the latest update to AirTag includes additional improvements to the anti-stalking features that Apple has been working on since the launch of the item tracker in 2021.
AirTag Stalking
Apple's decision to update the tracking sound of the AirTags came after several reports showed that the stalking cases using the item tracker had increased significantly.
According to research done by Motherboard, which got a hold of reports from eight police departments covering eight months, the item tracker was used to harass, threaten, and stalk women.
There were 150 reports that mentioned AirTags as the device used to stalk them.
Half of those reports showed that the victims, who are all women, suspected that a man in their lives may have been responsible for planting the item tracker, with the goal of following and harassing them.
In one case, a woman had called the police because a man had placed an AirTag in her car and threatened to make her life hell.
Other cases involved an ex slashing a victim's tires and leaving an AirTag in her vehicle, plus a woman who reported finding AirTags attached to her vehicle on multiple occasions. She claimed that it was her ex-boyfriend, who has a history of violence since he was able to show up at places at the same time as her.
Ex-boyfriends mysteriously appearing is a recurring story in the police reports, as are fears and threats that the person planting the AirTag intended to inflict harm.
However, some police reports came from women in an active relationship with the man stalking them, some of whom became violent when confronted about their behavior.
Aside from stalking and harassment, some reports involved robbery.
It is worth emphasizing that these reports came from only eight police departments. It also does not take into account any of the other countries where the item tracker is on sale. This means that the 150 reports are just scratching the surface.
Related Article: Apple AirTags Used by German Researcher Uncover Secret Intelligence Agency
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Written by Sophie Webster
