Category: Security

AirTag 1 vs. AirTag 2: A Difference Worth Upgrading To?

by Anil Polat | May 21, 2026 | Security, Tech | 0

AirTags have been very popular since they were first released in 2021 because they’re small, useful, and work with Apple’s Find My network. Now, 5 years later, Apple has released the AirTag 2. One of Apple’s quietest but most impressive updates to its current product lineup though and you already have an AirTag, you might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading.

The short answer is a limited, yes. Maybe.

Flying Saucers

Apple clearly decided that the original AirTag was popular and functional enough that they didn’t want to change the look or design, at least not on the outside. The AirTag 2 has the same dimensions with a UFO shape and quite easily scratched metallic cover. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t make the AirTag in any other color than white and you’ll have to look very closely to be able to tell the AirTag 1 apart from the AirTag 2. The only difference visually is the uppercase lettering on the AirTag 2 which no longer says “designed in California, assembled in China”.

Apple AirTag (2nd Generation): Tracker for Keychain, Wallet, and...

The AirTag 2 is .8 grams and uses the same CR 2032 battery with the same battery life of around one year.

More Ultra

AirTags have an Ultra wide-band chip in them which, in the AirTag 1, is what gives you the ability to be able to visually track them when you’re within about 10 meters or 30 feet. The AirTag 2 now has the next generation ultra wide ban- chip that Apple claims has quote, “up to 50% greater” Precision Finding range, which should be about 15 meters or 50 feet of range. You can see in this video here the results of my own testing.

The AirTag 1 had a magnet that was just enough to hold its weight but gave me no confidence it would stick if there was any movement. The AirTag 2 however has a solid lock to metallic surfaces and feels like it wouldn’t fall off, even with some firm shaking.

Time To Upgrade?

Apple hasn’t made any concrete promises about how much extra Bluetooth range the AirTag 2 has compared to the first generation, it should give you more range and in outdoor areas could be 50-60 meters versus 10-12, a huge jump. And that’s important because Bluetooth is what AirTags use to quietly talk with all of the Apple devices around them. It’s this communication that lets you see where they are through the Find My App.

The AirTag 2 is the same price as the AirTag 1, $29 for one or $99 for a 4 pack and Apple stores have pretty much run out of their remaining AirTag 1 stock, so AirTag 2 is it. For those of you already using AirTags, I wouldn’t replace all of them. The AirTag 2 is a great upgrade but not so much you have to go out and replace your current AirTags. Unless you have one really valuable or important item you want to be able to track to the best of Apple’s ability, then it might be worth upgrading just those AirTags – though in some cases a Ridge Tracker Card may be better.

The Ridge Tracker Card Is Better Than An AirTag… Sometimes

by Anil Polat | May 14, 2026 | Security | 0

The Ridge Tracker Card and Apple’s AirTag are two of the most popular tracking devices you can use to monitor your valuables. Both of the devices though come in vary different forms factors – for good reason – and despite it’s limitation, the Ridge Tracker Card can be better than an AirTag, sometimes.

You can watch the full video above and read on for more.

Why The Slim Look?

The Ridge Tracker Card is wallet-friendly with its ID card dimensions while the AirTag has a small puck shape, about the size of a U.S. quarter or 50 cent Euro coin. AirTags are thicker though, so they don’t fit conveniently into wallets, for example. The Tracker Card has a more favorable form factor for slim spaces but that’s because it’s lacking Apple’s Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip.

Ridge Wallet Tracker Card

The UWB lets you visually track a device within about 10-20 meters (more in the AirTag 2) but otherwise you’ve got to rely on Bluetooth and Apple’s Find My network. For most cases, the disadvantages of the Ridge Tracker Card are outweighed by its shape – especially if that means you’re more likely to use it rather than no tracker at all.

The Obvious Fit

Ridge Tracker Cards are ideal for wallets and slim purses because they are credit card shaped. AirTags simply don’t fit well in card holders and your wallet is presumably one of your more valuable possessions. You can still play a chime from the Ridge Tracker Card using Find My, so even though you can visually get a precise lock on it if you misplace your wallet indoors, the sounds should help guide you the rest of the way.

Other good uses include letters and important documents you might have mailed or sent via courier. You can get more precise tracking of those documents and in cases where they’ll be sent back to you (think legal or financial documents) you’ll have an extra layer of reassurance knowing just where they are.

On The Move

Sports gear like belt packs and vests might also be a good place to use a Ridge Tracker Card over an AirTag. The lighter weight and thinnest means less bounce and over long running or cycling distances, ever little annoyance (or lack thereof) can add up. Being IP67 rated also means the Ridge Tracker Card can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes in shallow water, meaning you can use it for swim or kayaking gear as well.

Books, vinyls, and notebooks also make for situations where you might want to use a Ridge Tracker Card over an AirTag. But the Apple is no slouch, here are 8 creative ways to use AirTags.

Woman Fights Back Against Two Phone Snatchers

by Anil Polat | Apr 16, 2026 | Pictures and Video, Security | 0

This is a wild video from South America where a woman fought back against two thieves trying to snatch her phone. The crooks were caught completely off guard, but a lot could have gone wrong here for the victim. Instead of this reaction, in the video above I break down what she could have done to prevented the attempt with the least risk to herself.

How To Protect Your Phone From Forced Bank Transfer Muggings

by Anil Polat | Apr 9, 2026 | Money, Security | 0

In the latest disturbing mugging trend, not only are criminals demanding everything in your pockets, they’re forcing you to empty your bank accounts right from your phone. You’ll need to prepare your mobile from forced transfer muggings, otherwise you could be left with a lot more loss than just a stolen phone.

Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself.

Basics First

Often, the victims of these kinds of robberies are in public but distracted, ironically, by their phones. Thieves are looking for a quick opportunity and catching someone by surprise is a good way to save time and reduce their chances of getting caught. Always be aware of your surroundings in busy areas and if you have to check your phone, do it somewhere indoors or where you feel safe.

Even then, try not to get lost staring at your phone and save anything you need to really concentrate on for home or inside a cafe.

Use Biometrics

Enable Face ID on your iPhone or Face Recognition for Android because there are some key security features tied to them. Also, the PIN on your phone should be unique – make sure it’s not your ATM PIN or used for anything else other than to unlock your phone. Next you want to enable remote tracking features like “Find My iPhone” for iOS or “Find my Device” on Android because those will let you erase your phone if it’s lost or stolen.

When you have facial recognition enabled you can also hide apps or use private space on Android so your sensitive bank apps are hidden and require a face scan to open. It’s not absolute security but in the heat of the moment the robbers will try to get away as soon as possible, so this level of protection makes it less likely they’ll dig deep on the spot.

Go Cold Turkey

I’d recommend not having any of your bank apps on your phone – which sounds crazy – but trust me, you probably don’t need them as much as you think. And if you are going to have one, use a separate account for just your phone. The robbers are going to go for the easiest method so if you do decide to keep a banking app on your phone, make sure it’s bait.

Create a bank account you’ll only use with your phone and keep a very limited amount of money there. You can also set transfer limits on your accounts if your bank allows it so if you are forced to transfer money out at gunpoint, there’s a limit on how much you can withdraw per day. A lot of banks too have privacy and security features that you might not know about. It’s a pain but spending a few minutes to call their customer service or fraud departments and ask what features they have can be useful and if they’re lacking, letting them know it’s important to you or you might go to a competitor, which can be useful feedback.

For apps and services like Paypal, Zelle, Revolut, and Venmo make sure you also set up those accounts with transfer limits and keep no or a very small amount of funds there. Also, don’t connect them to your main bank accounts – only connect them with that secondary account that has limited funds.

You want to insulate your main accounts from your phone’s apps. For more on protecting yourself against forced transfer muggings watch this video.

The Cash Tricks Muggers Don’t Want You To Know About

by Anil Polat | Feb 19, 2026 | Money, Security | 0

In some parts of the world mugging and pickpocketing is a common, advanced art (like slash attacks). With most people unsuspecting, big cities like Paris, Rome, and London can become easy hunting grounds for thieves. All of their tricks have counters though that they do not want you to know about.

Here’s how to handle your cash to thwart even the best of pickpockets.

Diversify

A tactic so simple it’s amazing more people don’t do it – distribute your cash in multiple places. Use your wallet, other pocket, socks, or money belt so that all of your money is not in one place. That way if you get robbed, there are limited loses from a successful pickpocketing. Keep your smallest amounts easily accessible and the larger sums in harder to get places. Carry only what you need and don’t keep it all in one place.

Anti-Theft Travel Wallet Decoy Cards – 6 Fake Credit Cards...

Use The Fold, Luke

Rather than keeping your cash in one big wad, break it up into folds of ones, fives, tens, and other denominations. This way, even if everything is in a single pocket, you can take only a small portion of it out. (Watch the video above to see this demonstrated.) Clever cash folds are another way to lessen the impact of any single, successful theft. Using folds also means you don’t have to take all of your cash out every time for each purchase, when you might only need a small amount. Pickpockets are watching so be careful not to display your valuables.

Decoy The Day Away

In some places it might be worth carrying a decoy wallet loaded with some decoy cards. You can find these sold at just a few dollars and they make a convincing piece of bait for a pickpocket or mugger. They’re effective for times you do have to hand over your purse or empty your pockets in a short time or when confronted. Keep a small amount of cash in your decoy and part with it quickly, knowing the real valuables are still with you.

What Happens When The TSA Steals From You?

by Anil Polat | Jan 29, 2026 | Security | 0

MAny travlers have a false sense of security when they enter an airport completely dropping common sense at the sliding doors. Hopefully that changes after you watch the video above where TSA agents were caught but only after stealing over $1,000 a day from the security line.

What You Can Do

The first step is to be aware that airport thefts can happen and you should be as cautious as you would at any public, crowded place. Pickpockets and other thieves also travel so don’t spread out your things at the gate or charging station without a high degree of awareness. Corrupt TSA agents are another threat because most people don’t suspect them. (Plus they police themselves.) To deal with the security line, you need to prepare.

Ridge Magnetic Power Bank Battery Pack 10,000mAh - Fast Charging...

Advanced Security

Pack the things in your pockets, wallet, phone, watch, all deep inside of your carry on and do this before you get to the security line. That way the TSA agents won’t know what’s in your bags and it’s a lot more difficult for them to do a quick grab. Never leave your valuables, cash, wallet, or phone out in the open in a bin by itself.

Stuff a jacket on top of your things inside of your backpack and if you want to go an extra step, you can hide things in zippered pockets. Speaking of those, zip up your backpack as it goes through the security line.

Streamlining

In the video above you’ll see a process I call streamlining. This is basically black belt levels of travel preparation you can use to protect your valuables and even get through the security line faster than you have been. None of these strategies on their own will completely prevent theft but when combined, many you’re less likely to be a target. Stay with your things as you go through the security line, use your eyes, and hide what you want to protect.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More