Apple is all about convenience and forward-thinking; this is one of the most successful companies that have managed to raise the bar of quality in the world of electronic products by delivering remarkably simple problem-solvers. That’s precisely what Apple AirTags is, although this is one of the newest products in Apple’s catalog so it’s quite understandable if you want to learn more about what it can and cannot do.
Apple AirTags is among the most reliable item finders on the contemporary market. By using Apple’s Find My app, owners of AirTags can harness the extended Bluetooth-finding range, which makes it nearly impossible to “not” find your phone, backpack, or other items with an AirTag placed on it. And I’m talking about precision finding here, iPhone owners!
It’s easy to get accustomed to this little gadget, but how long can you keep using it before you’ll need another one? Apple AirTags work on a replaceable battery, but I can’t give you a short answer to how long it will last since the answer depends on several factors. If you want to learn everything about your Apple AirTag battery life, you’ll find valuable information in the sections below.
How Long Do AirTags Last?
All Apple AirTags are equipped with a coin-shaped CR2032 Lithium battery. On average, the AirTag battery life is about a year. The frequency of use of this Apple device affects its battery lifespan. The more you use Apple’s Find My app, the more Apple AirTags are used, and the lower the battery’s life will be.
Apple Airtag’s battery is supposed to last about one year. It cannot last much longer than that but it can last much shorter for various reasons. People who have a habit of losing their items a bit too often will likely use the Find My app (and their Apple Airtags) every other day.
Replacing the provided battery with an off-brand C2032 of subpar quality may reduce battery life. Proper storage is also an important factor, as keeping the items with Apple’s AirTags in extremely hot, cold, or humid conditions can reduce the overall AirTag battery life as well.
Today, I want to help you understand what Apple AirTag’s battery is, which factors reduce its battery life, and ultimately, what to do when it dies.
What is CR2032 Battery?
The battery all Apple AirTags are supplied with is called CR2032. It is a Lithium 3V battery with approximately 235 mAh capacity-wise shaped like a coin with an operating temperature of 0-60 degrees Celsius.
One of the most important things you should know about CR2032 batteries is that they are non-rechargeable. More specifically, it’s not that you just can’t recharge them, you won’t need to, since they pack enough strength to last an entire year.
Another important thing to note is that you can’t buy CR2032 replacement batteries in Apple stores. Fortunately, dozens of brands sell these batteries with the most prominent being Duracell, Panasonic, Maxell, Renata, and Energizer.
Of course, dozens of other brands are making CR2032 batteries as well, but their methods, techniques, and ultimately battery lifespan of said batteries can’t compare to the leading firms I just mentioned.
Avoid Bitter-coated CR2032 Batteries
Not long after Apple released AirTags on the market, many users reported that the AirTag CR2032 replacement batteries they bought didn’t work. As conveyed by Apple’s spokesperson, this is mainly the issue for people that have bought bitter-coated Lithium CR2032 batteries, continuing that these should be avoided.
How to See the Battery Level of Your Apple AirTags?
Early on, you could see the battery status of your AirTag by opening the “Find My” app, selecting the “Items” tab, and clicking on the specific AirTag you want to inspect. However, Apple decided to disable this feature at some point. You shouldn’t worry, though, because you’ll receive a notification when the battery of your AirTag is low.
How to Maintain Optimal AirTag’s Battery Life?
Apple AirTags feature a non-rechargeable Lithium battery that can last for approximately a year before a replacement needs to be installed. By rationing the frequency of usage, ensuring that the AirTags attached to your items aren’t in harsh environments, and choosing reputable brands for replacement batteries, your AirTags will last the longest.
Like all other batteries, the CR2032 Lithium batteries Apple AirTags use will eventually run out of power. Unlike rechargeable batteries, the ones supplied to your AirTag can last about a year, but only if certain conditions are met.
More specifically, if you know the factors that affect your AirTag’s battery life, you can ensure that it will serve you for the longest duration possible. These factors include usage, operating temperature, and the quality of the battery itself.
Using Your AirTags
Apple designed its AirTag so that it is permanently on. This product wouldn’t be too useful if you had to worry about activating it right before you lost some of your valuable items. However, this does not mean that your AirTags have to be on all the time. In fact, if you keep them constantly powered, the battery will certainly degrade far quicker than usual.
It wouldn’t hurt to develop a habit of turning your AirTags off when they are not needed. For example, if you mainly use an AirTag to ensure you never lose your backpack while traveling, turn AirTags off when you’re at home after you’ve confirmed that your belongings are safe.
Disabling Your AirTags
Some articles I’ve read suggest that you should remove AirTag’s battery to turn the device off. Even though this is one method, it is impractical in certain situations and certainly not warranted when a safer, “gentler” alternative exists.
You can disable your AirTags remotely even if the battery is still inside the device with your “Find My” app. All you have to do is disconnect it from the “Find My” network, and it will go into a passive state. This “passive” state means that it will no longer give you information about your lost items, that only you can’t activate the “Lost Mode”, and nearly all of its primary features will now be disabled.
To do so, open the Apple Find My app, click “Items”, and choose the AirTag that you wish to disable. Tap “Instructions to Disable”, and you will see a text appear on your screen, guiding you through the rest of the process.
Keeping Your AirTags Out of Harm’s Way
Apple’s AirTag products are fairly durable, and the same can be said about the coin-shaped Lithium battery they are supplied with. However, CR2032 batteries aren’t impervious to elemental damage. One of the main tricks to ensuring the battery survives for a full year revolves around proper usage & storage.
Before diving any deeper, let me first say that the operating temperature of the AirTag’s battery spans between 0 and 60 degrees Celsius. Quality-made CR2032 batteries can endure freezing temperatures better (as low as -20 C), but you shouldn’t risk it anyway.
When you’re not using your AirTags, keep them in a dry, cool place, preferably not under direct sunlight or in excessively humid areas (e.g. next to an air humidifier, AC system, etc.).
If your AirTags are active and you’re visiting a place known for its harsh atmosphere, try to respond to the AirTag’s alerts as soon as possible.
Let’s say you went mountain climbing in a particularly cold region or went for a swim and you left the object with an AirTag on a smoldering hot beach. You’ll receive period alerts if you forgot to pick this item up, so keep this information in the back of your mind.
AirTags are IP67 Water Resistant but not waterproof
The IP (ingress protection) rating of 67 indicates that a device is highly water-resistant. AirTags boast this level of water resistance, meaning that they are completely dust proof and can survive immersion in water up to one meter for about 30 minutes. Act quickly if you went diving and dropped an AirTag-equipped item into the water.
FAQ
I wanted to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Apple AirTag’s battery to give you even more insights into how to optimize its use.
Does AirTag run out of battery?
Yes, all Apple AirTag products are supplied with replaceable CR2032 Lithium batteries that are estimated to work for approximately one year.
Do you charge AirTags?
No, AirTags do not require recharging. Periodically check the remaining battery life, and once it is low, consider replacing the current battery with a new one.
Wrapping Up
All AirTags come equipped with the same battery, but it’s up to you how long this battery will last. The estimated lifespan of CR2032 batteries is about a year, so keep your AirTags away from extremely hot/cold environments and remember to disable them when you don’t need them.
