Quick Summary: Changing an AirTag battery is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. You’ll need a new CR2032 lithium coin battery. Just gently press and twist the silver stainless steel back of your AirTag counter-clockwise. Once it pops open, replace the old battery with the new one, making sure the positive side is facing up. Finally, press the cover back on and twist it clockwise until it clicks, and your AirTag is ready to go!

Losing your keys, wallet, or bag can be a real headache. Thankfully, Apple’s AirTag is a fantastic little tool to help you keep track of your important items. But like all gadgets, its battery eventually needs replacing. Don’t let a dead battery leave you guessing where your belongings are! This guide will show you exactly how to change the battery in your AirTag, step-by-step. It’s a straightforward process, even if you’re not super tech-savvy. We’ll cover everything you need, from the right battery to buy, to easy-to-follow instructions. You’ll have your AirTag powered up and ready to find your stuff in no time. Let’s get started and bring peace of mind back to your day!

How to Change the Battery for Your AirTag: An Essential Guide

Your AirTag is a tiny but mighty helper for keeping track of your belongings. When its battery runs low, you might get a notification on your iPhone. Don’t worry, replacing it is much simpler than you might think. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, making sure you can keep your AirTag working its best.

What You’ll Need to Change Your AirTag Battery

Before you start, gather these simple items. Having everything ready makes the process smooth sailing.

• A new CR2032 lithium coin battery: This is the specific type of battery your AirTag uses. You can find these at most supermarkets, drugstores, electronics stores, or online. Make sure it’s a CR2032. Some batteries have bitter coatings to prevent swallowing, which might make them slightly harder to handle, but they will still work.
• Your AirTag: Of course!
• A soft cloth (optional): To keep the AirTag clean while you’re working on it.

That’s pretty much it! No special tools are needed, which is great news for beginners.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your AirTag Battery

Follow these easy steps to replace your AirTag’s battery. It’s designed to be user-friendly, so you can do it with confidence.

Step 1: Prepare Your AirTag

Take your AirTag and hold it with the white side facing up. The silver, stainless steel back is what you’ll need to open.

Step 2: Open the AirTag Cover

Gently press down on the silver stainless steel back cover of the AirTag. While pressing down, rotate the cover counter-clockwise (to the left). You should feel it loosen and then pop open. You can use your fingernail or a coin to help with the grip and twist. Some people find it easier to use the edge of a stronger plastic card if their fingernails aren’t strong enough.

Safety Tip: Always be gentle. You don’t need to force it. If it feels stuck, ensure you’re pressing down firmly enough while twisting.

Step 3: Remove the Old Battery

Once the cover is off, you’ll see the old battery inside. It’s a flat, silver disc. Carefully lift it out. You might need to tilt the AirTag slightly for it to slide out easily.

Step 4: Insert the New Battery

Take your new CR2032 battery. Make sure the positive (+) side is facing UP, towards the cover. Slide the new battery into the AirTag. You might hear a small chime or sound, indicating the AirTag has detected the new battery and is ready to go.

Tip: If you don’t hear a chime, double-check that the battery is inserted correctly with the positive side up. If it still doesn’t work, the battery might be dead, or there might be an issue with the AirTag itself.

Step 5: Close the AirTag Cover

Align the silver cover back onto the AirTag. It has small tabs that need to line up. Once aligned, press down gently and twist the cover clockwise (to the right) until it clicks securely into place. This confirms it’s locked and sealed.

Step 6: Confirm it’s Working

Your iPhone should automatically recognize that the battery has been replaced. You can open the Find My app and check the battery status of your AirTag. If you don’t get a notification, try opening the Find My app and tapping on your AirTag to see its connection status and battery level.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully changed your AirTag battery. It’s that simple.

Understanding Coin Cell Batteries: CR2032 Explained

The CR2032 battery is a common type of lithium coin cell battery. These are small, round, and flat, resembling a coin you’d find in your pocket. The “CR” stands for “common reference,” meaning it’s a type of alkaline battery with a specific chemistry. The “20” indicates its diameter is 20 millimeters, and the “32” indicates its thickness is 3.2 millimeters. These batteries are known for their long shelf life and steady power output, making them ideal for small electronic devices like key fobs, card readers, and, of course, AirTags.

You can find CR2032 batteries from many reputable manufacturers. Some popular and reliable brands include Energizer, Duracell, Panasonic, and Sony. When purchasing, it’s always a good idea to opt for a known brand to ensure quality and reliability. For instance, Energizer’s CR2032 batteries often come in child-resistant packaging, which is a good safety feature to be aware of.

Longevity and Performance

A CR2032 battery in an AirTag typically lasts about a year, depending on usage. Factors like how often your AirTag is used to locate something (which requires more power) or the temperature it’s exposed to can affect its lifespan. When the battery eventually dies, your AirTag will stop functioning, and you won’t be able to locate it using the Find My app. This is why knowing how to change it is so important.

It’s worth noting that not all CR2032 batteries are created equal. Some may have special coatings for safety, like a highly bitter taste, to deter children from swallowing them. While this is a crucial safety feature, it can sometimes make the battery slightly more difficult to handle and install. If you encounter this, a small pair of tweezers or a tool to grip the battery might be helpful, but often just careful handling is enough.

When Should You Change Your AirTag Battery?

Apple makes it easy to know when your AirTag is running low on power. You’ll typically receive a notification on your iPhone when the battery level gets critically low. This notification usually appears when the battery is nearing the end of its life, giving you ample time to get a replacement. It’s also a good practice to replace the battery periodically, perhaps once a year, to ensure your AirTag is always ready when you need it. Forgetting to check could mean the difference between finding your item and not.

Here are some indicators:

• iPhone Notification: This is the most direct and reliable way. Your iPhone will pop up a message stating your AirTag’s battery is low.
• Find My App: You can open the Find My app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Items” tab at the bottom, then select your AirTag. If the battery is low, you’ll usually see a battery icon with a low percentage or in red.
• No Connection: If your AirTag suddenly stops appearing in the Find My app or shows as “No Connection” and it’s not simply out of Bluetooth range, a dead battery is a very likely culprit.

Don’t wait until your AirTag is completely dead. Proactive replacement ensures you’re never caught off guard.

Troubleshooting Common AirTag Battery Issues

While changing an AirTag battery is usually straightforward, sometimes minor issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle them.

Problem: The AirTag doesn’t make a sound after inserting the new battery.

Solution:

1. Make sure you’re using a CR2032 battery and that the positive (+) side is facing UP.
2. Check the new battery itself – it might be faulty. Try a different new CR2032 battery.
3. Ensure the battery is making good contact with the terminals inside the AirTag.
4. Re-seat the battery and close the cover again, making sure it clicks into place properly.

Problem: The AirTag battery replacement notification doesn’t disappear.

Solution: Sometimes, after replacing the battery, the notification might linger for a bit. Try restarting your iPhone. If the issue persists after a day, it might be worth removing the AirTag from your Find My app and then re-adding it.

Problem: The AirTag cover is difficult to twist off or on.

Solution:

• Opening: Ensure you are pressing down firmly on the cover while twisting counter-clockwise. If your fingernails aren’t enough, try using a rubber-gripped tool or the edge of a sturdy, but not sharp, object.
• Closing: Make sure the cover is properly aligned with the AirTag’s casing before you press and twist clockwise. If it feels misaligned, it won’t lock.

Problem: AirTag battery drains very quickly.

Solution: A CR2032 battery should last around a year. If yours is draining much faster (e.g., within a few weeks or months), it could be due to a faulty battery, extreme temperatures, or an issue with the AirTag itself. Ensure you are using a quality CR2032 battery from a reputable brand. If the problem continues with new, quality batteries, contact Apple Support.

Why is the CR2032 Battery Important?

The choice of the CR2032 battery for the AirTag is quite deliberate. These batteries offer a good balance of size, power density, and longevity, which is crucial for a small, portable tracking device that needs to operate reliably for an extended period. For a deeper dive into battery technologies and their applications, resources like those from the U.S. Department of Energy can provide broader context on energy storage solutions, though they focus more on larger-scale vehicle batteries.

Comparing CR2032 to Other Batteries

It’s useful to understand why the CR2032 is chosen over other common battery types.

Battery Type	Typical Use Cases	Pros for Devices like AirTags	Cons for Devices like AirTags
CR2032 (Lithium Coin)	Key fobs, small electronics, medical devices, AirTags	Compact size, long shelf life (up to 10 years), relatively stable voltage, good energy density for size.	Can be a choking hazard if swallowed (child-resistant coatings help), may be slightly more expensive than basic alkaline AAA/AA; not rechargeable.
AA/AAA Alkaline	Remote controls, toys, flashlights	Widely available, inexpensive.	Too large for AirTag form factor, lower energy density, shorter shelf life than lithium coin cells, voltage drops significantly as they deplete.
Rechargeable Li-ion (like in phones)	Smartphones, laptops, power banks	Can be recharged multiple times, high energy density.	Requires complex charging circuitry, larger size, higher cost for the battery itself, not suitable for a simple, user-replaceable design like the AirTag.

The CR2032 is the perfect fit for the AirTag because it provides enough power for months of operation in a small, flat package that can be easily replaced by the user without needing specialized tools or knowledge. While rechargeable batteries are great for larger devices like smartphones or power banks, they would add significant bulk and complexity to the AirTag’s design and maintenance.

Safety Precautions for Battery Handling

While changing an AirTag battery is generally safe, it’s important to be aware of a few precautions, especially concerning coin cell batteries.

• Keep Away from Children and Pets: CR2032 batteries are small and can be a serious choking hazard if swallowed. They can also cause severe internal burns if ingested. Always keep spare batteries out of reach. Apple includes a bitter coating on many CR2032 batteries to act as a deterrent, but this is not foolproof.
• Handle with Care: Avoid touching the battery terminals with your bare fingers for extended periods. Oils from your skin can, in theory, reduce battery performance over time, though this is generally a minor concern for a disposable battery in an AirTag. Using the provided battery or a clean cloth to handle the new battery is ideal.
• Proper Disposal: Do not throw used batteries in the regular trash. Lithium batteries can pose a fire risk. Many electronics stores, supermarkets, and local recycling centers offer battery recycling drop-off points. You can often find battery recycling locations through services like Call2Recycle.
• Use the Correct Battery Type: Always use a CR2032 lithium coin battery. Using an incorrect type or size could damage your AirTag and will likely not work.

By following these simple safety tips, you can ensure a safe and successful battery change every time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About AirTag Battery Replacement

Q1: How often do I need to change my AirTag battery?

A: Typically, an AirTag battery lasts about a year. You’ll usually get a notification on your iPhone from the Find My app when the battery is getting low, so you don’t have to guess.

Q2: What kind of battery does an AirTag use?

A: AirTags use a standard 3V CR2032 lithium coin battery. These are widely available at most stores that sell batteries.

Q3: Can I use a rechargeable battery in my AirTag?

A: No, AirTags are designed to use disposable CR2032 batteries. They do not support rechargeable batteries.

Q4: What happens if I swallow a CR2032 battery?

A: Swallowing a CR2032 battery can be very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. The battery can cause severe internal burns. If a battery is swallowed, go to the nearest emergency room or call for emergency medical services immediately.

Q5: My AirTag isn’t making a sound or connecting after I changed the battery. What should I do?

A: First, ensure you inserted the CR2032 battery with the positive (+) side facing up. Try removing and reinserting it. If that doesn’t work, test the battery in another device or try a brand new battery from a different pack. If problems persist, your AirTag might need to be replaced.

Q6: Can I open my AirTag without a tool?

A: Yes, you can usually open an AirTag using just your fingernail or by gently pressing down and twisting the silver back with your thumb. Some people find it helpful to use a coin or a sturdy plastic card for extra grip.

Q7: Where can I recycle old AirTag batteries?

A: Used CR2032 batteries should not be thrown in the regular trash. You can take them to most electronics retailers, supermarkets, or designated battery recycling drop-off locations. Many community recycling centers also accept them. You can often find a local drop-off point using online locators.

Conclusion

Keeping your AirTag powered up is essential for its job of helping you find your lost items. As we’ve seen, changing the CR2032 battery is a simple, quick, and accessible task that anyone can do. With just a new battery and a few moments of your time, you can ensure your AirTag continues to provide that valuable peace of mind. Remember to always use the correct battery, handle it with care, and dispose of it