Our review of the new AirTag came out yesterday, and it included testing the new Precision Finding feature on Apple Watches. In the process, I found the setup confusing and counterintuitive, and was relieved to learn that it just wasn’t for me. If, like me, you’re trying to set up Precision Finding on your Apple Watch for an AirTag that you just unboxed and attached to a valuable item, here are the exact steps to take.
First, make sure your Apple Watch is compatible with the feature. This means verifying that you’re using a Series 9 or later (you must have purchased it in or after 2023) or an Ultra 2 and newer. Then, go to the Watch app on your phone and do the following to make sure you have received the latest software update that adds the functionality.
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Make sure the page says you’re running watchOS 26.2.1. If not, tap install now.
If you need to download software, make sure your watch is on the charging cradle. Even though my Apple Watch Series 11 was fully charged, I was still asked to make sure it was connected to power and had at least 50 percent juice left in order to install the software. After a few minutes, my watch restarted and the app said it had been updated to the latest version of watchOS.
Now that you have the correct hardware and software, you can set up Precision Finding. I assume you’ve already connected the new AirTag to the iPhone that’s connected to your watch (and if you haven’t, be sure to do so).
This was the part of the process that confused me. Instead of opening the Find Items app on the watch, Precision Finding for the new AirTags actually exists as a shortcut in Control Center. Here are the steps to add it there:
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Open Control Center by pressing the button below the dial on the side of the watch.
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Scroll to the bottom and press “edit“
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push + button at the top left of the screen.
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Scroll down and tap find item.
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Press Find AirTagthen tap choose. You should see the new AirTag linked to your account here.
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Select the AirTag you want to locate exactly.
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Drag the icon to any location you like in Control Center.
Now, whenever you want to locate your item, you can pull up Control Center, press this button and the Precision Finding interface will appear, showing how far away it is. You can also press the button at the bottom right of this screen to make the AirTag ring, telling you where your item is.
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