Low battery AirTag? How to replace your AirTags battery

An AirTag lasts anywhere from a year to eighteen months on a single CR2032 battery. When they’re about to run out of juice, you’ll get a notification on your phone asking you to replace the battery. But how exactly do you replace the battery in an AirTag?

What types of batteries can I use in an AirTag?

The AirTag works with standard CR2032 lithium cell batteries. The interior of the AirTag is strategically designed so that metal contacts touch both sides of the battery cell.

Some CR2032 batteries on the market have been treated with a chemical agent to discourage children from putting them in their mouths, a so-called bittern that intentionally gives off a bad taste.

However, the bitter substance also affects the conductivity of the cell and may not be able to make contact with the AirTag. You can remove the bittern manually, but it’s probably easier to buy non-bitter batteries in the first place.

Energizer batteries are a good choice for batteries from a reputable brand that do not contain bitter substances.

How do I know if my AirTag battery needs to be replaced?

You’ll receive a notification on your iPhone when the AirTag detects that its battery is low. However, the AirTag will typically continue to work for several months after you receive the low battery notification. Some power-intensive features – like Nearby Finding – are gradually disabled before the entire AirTag is completely dead.

You can also check the status of your AirTag battery in the Find My app. Open Find My, go to the Items tab and tap your AirTag accessory. When the battery is low, a low battery warning is displayed.

How do I replace the AirTag battery?

1. Place the AirTag face down in the palm of your hand.
2. Press the metal back with two fingers and twist counterclockwise. The metal backing comes off and pops open. Put it aside.
3. Take out the old battery. Instead, insert the old battery with the positive side (denoted by a + mark) facing up.
4. Place the back cover back over the top and align the three tabs with the three holes in the AirTag.
5. Place two fingers down and twist clockwise until the back cover snaps into place. You may need to use some force here; If the pressure is too low, the cover will not snap into place.

When the battery is successfully replaced, the AirTag will make a sound to indicate success. After the battery is replaced, you may need to reconnect the tag to the phone. Hold onto it and follow the instructions. You don’t have to set it up from scratch; it will remember your previous settings.

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