AirTag Low Battery Warning? Here’s How to Replace AirTag Battery
Apple AirTag is the new pretty-face Bluetooth tracker for iPhone users. You can use the tracker to locate your keys, bags, cars, and even bikes. Apple AirTags come with quick-replaceable batteries, offering a year-long battery life. If you have owned one for more than one year, your AirTag battery is probably low at the moment, and looking for how to recharge or replace the battery.
Let us discuss how you can check the AirTag battery level, the type of battery to use, and how to replace the AirTag battery.
How to Check AirTag Battery Level on iPhone
Apple AirTags come with assured battery life for almost a year. That means once you set up a new AirTag and start using it, you do not have to bother about the AirTag’s battery level for one year straight. And for the best part, your iPhone will warn you when the AirTag is about to die.
Although, if you think you have been finding AirTag by playing sound a lot (or if it has been nearly a year since you started using the AirTags while you are reading this), or even if you think you got a faulty device, you have come to the right place. You can check your AirTag’s battery charge right from the Find My app on your iPhone.
To check the Apple AirTag battery level;
- Launch the Find My app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to the Items tab. There you will see your connected AirTags listed.
- Tap on any of them to see all the information about the particular AirTag.
- Look for the battery icon next below your AirTag’s name.
If it shows full (green), the AirTag battery is full. The battery icon will turn red if your AirTag battery is about to die. AirTag does not have a low battery sound, but you will hear a chime once you replace and insert a new battery.
What to Do If My AirTag Shows Low Battery Warning?
AirTag has no indicators, light, or sound alerts to tell you when it hits the low battery warning. What it has is your iPhone to show all the warnings, including the AirTag low battery warning. If your AirTag battery is low, you will get a notification alert on your iPhone, “AirTag Battery Is Low,” with a message saying, “Replace the battery on [Your-AirTag-Name] soon.”
Now that you have a warning on your iPhone about the low battery on AirTag, you might be thinking about what to do. Here is what you will do – Replace your AirTag battery. So, how do you do it? Below is a step-by-step guide to help you replace the low battery on Apple AirTag.
Which Battery Should I Use with Apple AirTag?
Apple AirTag trackers come with a replaceable battery of their own. When it says replaceable, don’t worry, it does not use any expensive Apple-only battery cells for the purpose. Apple AirTags use a generic CR2032 coin cell battery to power up the entire tracker.
Once the battery level of your AirTag runs out, you can buy any CR2032 coin cell battery, replace it easily, use it for another year, and repeat the same forever.
Note: According to Apple, batteries with the bitterant coating will not work on AirTags, so make sure to buy ones without the bitterant coating.
How to Replace Apple AirTag Battery
If you just got a notification about the AirTag battery being low, keep calm and go to the Find My app. Go to the Items tab and select your AirTag to see if it says “Low Battery” there. If it does, take the AirTag in your hand and replace it as we say.
- Gently press the steel covering of your AirTag with two fingers and twist it counter-clockwise to unlock the battery case.
- Pull out the metal covering when the rotation stops to see the CR2032 coin cell battery within your Apple AirTag tracker.
- Remove the coin cell battery from your AirTag using something tiny and sharp, but do it gently. Make sure you do not hurt the plastic body of your AirTag.
- Once you have removed the AirTag battery, take the new one and put it on the AirTag.
- Ensure the “” part comes on top, and the other side goes under.
- Press the battery to lock it to the AirTag.
- Now, put back the metal cover, press, and rotate it clockwise to lock your AirTag with the new battery.
Once you replace the AirTag battery, it can now run for as long as you want. In case your AirTag does not work after replacing the battery, check our troubleshooting guide for AirTab battery replacing. You just need to mind the AirTag low battery warning that may pop up once a year and replace the battery, as we said.
FAQ: Replace AirTag Battery
Apple AirTags batteries can last up to 1 year without recharging or replacing. The actual battery life can be slightly lower or higher depending on your usage. If you frequently track your keys or belongings with AirTag, you will get a low battery warning before one year.
AirTag does not have a turn-on/off switch. Once you pull out the plastic tab and activate the AirTag, it will run endlessly until the battery dies. If you want to put the AirTag aside for a few weeks or months and don’t want the battery to wear out unnecessarily, you can remove the battery and save the charge for later.
AirTag batteries are replaceable since they are the standard CR2032 coin cell batteries you can buy for cheaper price tags. Unlike Tile or Samsung SmartThings, you can get the battery from anywhere and put it inside the AirTag to track your belongings smoothly.
Since the AirTags use CR2032 batteries, you cannot and do not have to charge them often. Once they run, you can remove the old battery and replace it with a new one that costs just a dollar or two.
AirTag batteries are cheaper and are available at any convenience store. You just need to ask for CR2032 coin cells that will be less than a dollar, or you can even get dozen of it for under 10.
Apple AirTags are battery-powered tracker devices for iPhone users. It will stop working once you remove the battery. So, no, the AirTag cannot work without a battery.
Disclaimer: MashTips is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
AirTags Battery Life – How Long Do They Last?
You bought your Apple AirTag to help you keep track of a valuable item in case you lose it. As long as the AirTag is working, you can use your Apple device to follow the digital breadcrumbs to the attached item’s current location.
Note that we said as long as the AirTag is working.
The problem is that AirTags only work for as long as their batteries have a charge. You can’t recharge your AirTag once its battery runs dry, meaning the device may turn into a useless lump of plastic that doesn’t help you track anything.
To ensure that doesn’t happen, you need to know two things. First, how long does your AirTag’s battery last? Second, what can you do once your device runs out of battery? This article provides the answers to both questions.
How Long Do AirTags Battery Last
You can expect your AirTag’s battery to last for approximately one year, on a very general level. The specific battery length depends on several factors, the primary one being how often you use the AirTag.
Every time you open the Find My app to track the item your AirTag is attached to, you activate the device. When the device is activated, it drains more battery life than it does when it’s inert. As a result, constantly losing the attached item means you drain your AirTag’s battery faster because you need to use it more often.
- Open the Find My app and tap “Items.”
- Navigate to the item attached to your AirTag and tap it.
- Check the battery icon below your item.
Unfortunately, this icon does not provide a percentage figure or direct information about how much life the battery has left. It provides a rough estimate that lets you know if you’re getting closer to needing to replace the battery. You will also see a banner that says “Low Battery” if your AirTag is on the verge of running out of juice.
What Happens When They Run Out of Battery?
When an AirTag runs out of battery, it can no longer transmit a signal. When you check the Find My app, you should see that the item it’s attached to is no longer on your list. For as long as the AirTag is depleted, it’s little more than a chunk of plastic attached to the item it’s supposed to be tracking.
The good news is that a depleted AirTag doesn’t have to stay that way.
Apple allows AirTag owners to replace their device’s battery before it runs out, thus keeping it operational for as long as they need it. To change the battery, you’ll need to have a replacement CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery. You can find these batteries in most electronics stores and some watch shops and pharmacies. Apple recommends that you avoid CR2032 that have bitterant coatings. This coating may prevent the battery from forming a proper connection with your AirTag’s contact points, resulting in it not working properly.
Assuming you have your battery, follow these steps to insert it into your AirTag.
- Locate the polished stainless steel battery cover on your AirTag and push down on it gently.
- Rotate the cover counterclockwise until you can’t rotate it any further.
- Lift the cover and remove the battery from your AirTag.
- Place your new CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery into the open slot with the positive side facing toward you. Your AirTag should make a sound that indicates the battery has established a successful connection.
- Replace the battery cover.
- Keeping the cover pressed in, rotate it clockwise until it stops moving.
Your AirTag should now transmit a signal again. Open your Find My app and you should see it reappear in your list of items.
Keep Your AirTag Running
The battery that comes preinstalled in your AirTag isn’t designed for longevity. It only offers about a year of service before it depletes, though you may find yours runs out quicker if you need to use the AirTag frequently.
Apple has accounted for this by giving you the ability to replace a depleted battery. Replacement batteries are simple to source, meaning you can keep your AirTag running for as long as you need it. Keep an eye on your notifications and the Find My app to check when you need make a replacement.
So, what do you think about Apple’s AirTag? How useful is the device? Would you prefer Apple to install a longer-lasting battery, even if it meant paying a little more for an AirTag? Or, are you happy to keep replacing the battery yourself? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section below.
Changing the Battery in Your Apple AirTag is Simple, Here’s How You Do It
Apple AirTags aren’t meant to last forever, something I only learned last month when I got a pop-up saying my battery was dying.
I’m not sure why I didn’t realise this was the case, upon reflection it is an embarrassing thing for a tech journalist to admit. But here I am, with a dead Apple AirTag.
The problem isn’t a big one, however, as it’s super easy to change the battery in an AirTag.
How long does AirTag battery last?
The general rule is a year, give or take. Mine lasted far less, but I did use it a lot.
Does AirTag warn of low battery?
When your Apple AirTag battery is very low, a notification will appear on your iPhone. You can also check the Find My app to see if your AirTag battery needs to be replaced.
- Open the Find My app
- Tap the Items tab
- Tap the AirTag you want to check the battery status of you want to check.
- If the battery level is very low, Low Battery will appear under the name of your AirTag.
Can you change AirTag battery?
You sure can! In fact, that’s the only way to let it live its life longer.
What batteries does AirTag use?
CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery – which are available at most electronic stores, grocery stores and pharmacies. I got mine at Woolies, but there are a tonne of listings on Amazon, too. Apple warns, however, that CR2032 batteries with bitterant coatings might not work with AirTag (it’s to do with the alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts).
How do you change an AirTag battery?
- Press down on the stainless-steel battery cover of the AirTag and rotate anticlockwise until the cover stops rotating
- Remove the cover and battery
- Insert a new CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery with the positive side facing up
- Listen out for the sound indicating the battery is connected
- Replace the cover, making sure that the three tabs on the cover align with the three slots on the AirTag
- Rotate the cover clockwise until it stops.
There you have it, super simple battery replacement for your Apple AirTag.
If you’re concerned about AirTags, here’s how to tell if you’re being tracked with one. If you’re travelling and want to know whether it’s worth investing in an Apple AirTag, we’ve detailed our experience with that, too. Similarly, here’s how you track your cat with an AirTag.
Do Apple AirTags need to be charged?
The quick answer to the question is a simple “no.” But with that established, you need to know how to check an AirTag‘s battery level, as well as how to replace that battery when it runs dry. We’ve got instructions for both tasks.
QUICK ANSWER
Instead of a rechargeable battery, AirTags rely on a disposable CR2032 coin battery.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
Do AirTags need to be charged?
No. Mostly due to space constraints, they rely on disposable CR2032 (3V) lithium coin batteries. One battery should last up to a year or more, but once it’s depleted, it has to be replaced.
How to check your AirTag battery level
Most of the time you shouldn’t worry about this, since the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad will actively warn you when power is running low. If you still want to check levels yourself:
- Open the Find My app, making sure that Bluetooth is on for your iPhone/iPad, and that your AirTag is within range. That’s normally within a few dozen feet. If you want to be sure, get as close as possible.
- Select the Items tab, then the AirTag you want to check.
- In the bottom panel, look for a battery icon under the AirTag’s name. If you don’t see one, don’t worry — that’s what you want, since it means your battery is fine.
When levels are critical the battery icon will appear in red, and you’ll see a “Low Battery” message with a Replace Battery button when you’re ready.
How to replace your AirTag battery
Before getting started, make sure you’ve got the right kind of CR2032. It has to be a lithium 3V model, and not only that, it shouldn’t have any sort of “bitterant” coating meant to keep children from swallowing it. Apple says this coating can interfere if it aligns with battery contacts. Any brand will do though, such as AmazonBasics.
Once you’re good to go, follow these steps:
- Press down on the steel battery cover and rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops turning.
- Remove the cover and the old battery.
- Install the new battery with the positive (plus) side facing upwards (towards you). If you’ve done this right, you’ll hear a tone indicating the battery is connected. You may need to press down to get the sound to trigger.
- Replace the cover, reversing the steps you used to take it off.
How to replace your AirTag battery
As far as tracking devices are concerned, it’s hard to beat Apple’s AirTags. Not only do they look surprisingly sleek for such a utilitarian device, but they integrate seamlessly with the iOS ecosystem and can be used to track the location of everything from keys and luggage to pets and backpacks.
What You Need
The only maintenance you should ever need to perform on your AirTag is a battery change. The preinstalled battery should last for more than a year – but at some point, you’ll need to crack open the case and swap it out. If you need some help with that process, here’s how to change an AirTag battery without any fuss.
Ensure your AirTag battery needs to be replaced
Before you start meddling with your AirTag, you’ll first want to make sure its battery is actually low. Apple has designed the tracker to automatically push a notification to your smartphone when it needs a battery change, so you should get a prompt on your lock screen telling you to replace your battery. If you don’t see that (or just want to check your battery’s status), here’s what you’ll need to do.
Step 1: Open the Find My smartphone app.
Step 2: Select the Items option.
Step 3: Select the AirTag that you want to check.
Step 4: Once there, you’ll see an icon indicating the percentage of your remaining battery.
How to replace an AirTag battery
Once you’ve confirmed that your AirTag needs a new battery, here’s how to pop open its chassis and install a new one.
Step 1: Push down firmly on the stainless steel portion of your AirTag and twist counter-clockwise while maintaining pressure on the cover. Most people find it easiest to hold the AirTag with both hands and use their thumbs to both apply pressure and twist.
Step 2: Pull the cover off of the AirTag. This should come off easily – if it doesn’t, ensure there’s no gunk stuck around the edges. You can also use a thin tool to carefully pry it off.
Step 3: Remove the CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery and insert your new one with the negative side facing down. When done properly, you’ll hear a chime to indicate the battery is connected.
Step 4: Put the cover back on, ensuring the three alignment tabs are correctly positioned over the slots in the AirTag base. Twist clockwise to lock the cover in place.
Watch out for CR2032 batteries with bitter coatings
Many CR2032 batteries are designed with a bitter coating to prevent children from putting them in their mouths and accidentally swallowing them. However, the Apple AirTag won’t work with all these products, as the coating can interfere with a proper connection. That means you’ll either need to avoid batteries with these coatings altogether or remove the coating using an alcohol wipe.