I bought my first AirTag about a year ago, and yesterday was the first time I got to see the “low battery” warning on my own Apple device. As a fan of all things tech, I love Apple items and know quite a bit about their products, new and old, so I knew that I needed to replace the Airtag battery.
For people who may not be as tech-minded as my humble self, you were probably a bit confused when your Apple Airtags went dark all of a sudden. In rare cases, these Apple devices may malfunction, but I can almost guarantee that Airtag’s battery was dead. They work for about a year, require no recharge in the meantime, and you’ll need to manually insert a new one.
In this article, my aim is to help you learn what to do once the Apple AirTag’s battery level is depleted and where to get replacements, as well as give you a few tips and tricks about keeping the battery in the best condition possible. Let’s start from the top.
Do AirTags Need To Be Charged?
AirTags do not need to be recharged. These Apple devices work on CR2032 Lithium batteries that boast a lifespan of roughly one year, after which time a new battery needs to be inserted.
The simplest answer to this question is “No”, you won’t need to recharge your AirTags as long as Apple continues using CR2032 coin batteries. These batteries were meant to last for about a year, but you’ll need to keep your AirTags away from extremely hot and cold temperatures.
As soon as you see the “Low Battery” warning, tap the “Replace battery” option and install a new CR2032 in your AirTag.
Removing The Apple Airtag Battery
The AirTag battery isn’t rechargeable, but it is replaceable. Once the battery charge of the old battery runs out, it’s time to install a new one in its place. Since all Apple AirTags operate on CR2032 Lithium batteries, you can quickly restock in nearly any supermarket.
Replacing the battery is fairly simple, but since AirTags are small and slim, I recommend taking the process slowly and following the instructions as closely as you can.
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply a bit of pressure on the AirTag’s battery cover. In case you don’t know what the battery cover is, it’s the middle part with the Apple logo on it. Place your thumbs on each side of the Apple logo (indicated by stars on the photo above) and rotate it counter-clockwise.
It won’t be long before the cover pops open and you gain access to the battery. Safely remove the battery cover. Next, remove the AirTag’s battery from its base.
I warmly recommend returning the old battery to a local battery retailer; alternatively, find a bin for hazardous waste, but don’t simply throw it in your garbage bin. Most lithium batteries, including the CR2032, can leak lead and acid, so you’ll both eliminate an unnecessary risk to your home and help the world be a bit greener place this way.
Installing a New AirTag Battery
Once you’ve disposed of the old battery, you’ll need a new CR2032 battery so that your AirTag can work again. Apple doesn’t sell replacement batteries, so your best bet is to browse around neighborhood battery and electronic stores. I order my replacements on Amazon and use exclusively Duracell non-coated CR2032 batteries for my AirTags.
Before you place the new battery into the base, ensure that its positive side is face-up (the side with a little “+” symbol). You will hear a tiny beeping sound if you’ve installed the new battery correctly. Put the cover back into its place, and keep rotating it clockwise (again, it will stop after making a full circle rotation).
Battery Level and Where to Find It
One year, give or take a few months, is a long enough period for anyone to forget a task as trivial as replacing a battery, especially if this is your first AirTag. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about the battery level since you’ll receive a notification on your phone.
A text reading “AirTag Battery Is Low” will pop up (along with the notification time) on the screen. The quickest way to see more details about your AirTag’s battery status is to click on this notification.
As you may or may not know, Apple has removed the battery icon from AirTags. Previously, you could check the current status of your AirTag’s battery by opening up the Find My App but this is no longer the case. We’ll let you know if this changes in the future.
Where to Buy Apple AirTag Battery Replacements
Like most people, I tried ordering the replacement batteries for my AirTag on Apple’s official website but couldn’t find any. It didn’t take long for me to realize that they never sold them, so I dug around the web to see where can I find quality CR2032 batteries.
Most of the supermarkets in my neighborhood sell them, but off-brand batteries aren’t known for their reliability. One of the best manufacturers of high-quality AirTag battery replacements is Duracell, and you can find their CR2032 models either on the brand’s official website or on Amazon.
FAQ
Can AirTags be disabled? Are they rechargeable, and if so, how often do you need to do it? Let me answer some of these questions, and feel free to provide your own if you have any.
Can AirTags go offline?
Yes, you can deactivate your AirTags via the Find My app. This will preserve some of the battery’s life but will disable most of AirTag’s primary functions (data transmitting, Bluetooth, etc.).
How often do AirTags need to be charged?
Never, AirTag batteries are non-rechargeable. Once they run out of charge, you’ll need to install a replacement CR2032 battery. There is no charging port, you just need to replace the battery.
How long does AirTag battery last?
The coin-shaped Lithium battery AirTags are supplied with can last about one year. If you don’t use your AirTags all the time and keep them away from extreme temperatures, you’ll ensure that you can use the battery for the maximum duration.
Wrapping Up
Having a non-rechargeable battery that lasts as long as one year can be both convenient and a nuisance, depending on who you ask. As you can see, AirTags are different from most other Apple devices, but it’s not rocket science. I hope that this article helped you learn what to do with your AirTag’s battery.
