If you just bought AirTags or are considering purchasing some, you might be wondering how to charge them. Or do you have to charge an Apple Airtag?
Fortunately, it’s a quick and painless procedure. We’ve got everything you need to know about replacing these batteries, as well as a few replacement options. AirTags are one of Apple’s most recent products.
In 2021, small tracking devices were released to assist users in keeping track of their belongings. The tiny Bluetooth trackers can be attached to your most valuable possessions and help you quickly locate them if they go missing or are misplaced.
They cost the same as other Bluetooth trackers but provide more precise directions to your belongings by utilizing Apple’s Ultra-wideband network.
APPLE AIR TAG
Apple Air Tags are an excellent way to keep track of items you frequently misplace. Most people attach them to their wallets or car keys. You can then use Find My on your iOS device to locate the misplaced device.
Because the Air Tags are so convenient, you may be wondering if they need to be charged and, if so, how frequently. The Apple Air Tag is not rechargeable.
They were built without a charging port and instead use CR2032 batteries. When the Apple Air Tag battery dies, you must purchase new batteries and replace the old ones.
ARE AIR TAGS RECHARGEABLE?
Apple AirTags, unlike most Apple products, are battery-powered; they are not rechargeable and do not have a charging port.
AirTags should be able to last about a year before the battery needs to be replaced. This is convenient because most people use AirTags to track important items such as purses, keys, expensive equipment, cars, and even pets on an ongoing or long-term basis.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR AIRTAG’S BATTERY LEVEL?
If you want to check the battery levels of your current AirTags, the procedure is simple and will only take a few seconds. What you’ll need to do is as follows:
- On your iPhone or other Apple device, launch the Find My app.
- Go to the Devices tab.
- Scroll through all of your connected AirTags to find the one you want to test.
- Look for the battery icon next to your chosen AirTag display name. If the charge is running low, a Low Battery banner will appear.
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HOW TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN AN AIRTAG?
You are not required to charge your AirTag, nor are you required to dispose of it once the battery dies. Instead, after about a year of daily use (which is how long Apple claims each AirTag should last), you can replace the battery in under 30 seconds.
You should start receiving alerts on your iPhone as soon as the battery is low (up to a month before it dies), giving you plenty of time to prepare.
The AirTag uses a CR2032 battery, which can be found pretty much anywhere that sells batteries. Push in and twist the silverback (the side with the Apple logo) about a quarter turn to the left to replace the battery. Remove the old battery, then insert the new one into the AirTag’s housing, positive “+” side up.
Press in and turn the back a quarter turn to the right to replace it. You may need to fiddle with it a little to get it properly aligned. The AirTag will make a sound to indicate that it has been turned back on.
You don’t need to take an AirTag into the Apple Store for maintenance because changing the battery is simple. Here’s how to change the battery yourself quickly:
- Place your AirTag face-up. The stainless steel battery cover (the gleaming silver piece with the Apple logo) should face you.
- Press the battery cover down and rotate it counterclockwise until it stops rotating.
- Remove the old battery and the battery cover.
- Place the new battery with the positive side up. You should be able to hear it click into place.
- Replace the cover. The three cover tabs should correspond to the three slots on the AirTag. Then replace the cover by rotating it clockwise until it stops.
WHAT TYPE OF BATTERY DO AIR TAGS USE?
It’s pretty easy to find a replacement when it comes time to replace your AirTag batteries. You don’t need a special device-specific battery or anything—just plain ol’ CR2032 batteries. Most stores sell these in the battery section, so you can easily pick some up the next time you go.
The only restriction is that you must purchase CR2032 batteries without a bitterant coating. Some battery manufacturers, such as Duracell, have begun to coat these batteries with a bitter coating to prevent children from swallowing them due to their small size.
However, bitterant-coated batteries frequently do not work with AirTags or other battery-powered technology; the coating can cause issues if the alignment of the coating interferes with the battery making the necessary contact with the device.
Panasonic sells them in larger quantities than the other brands. If you have several Apple Air Tags, it may be a good idea to purchase a large pack and keep it on hand in case you need a replacement.
Remember that Apple recently stated that CR2032 batteries with the bitterant coating would most likely not work with Air Tag. Bitter is added to batteries to prevent children from touching them.
However, you should always use the proper batteries with any Apple device to avoid voiding the warranty and ensure that it continues to function properly. The battery packaging should indicate whether or not the battery contains bitterant.
Because you’ll be using non-bitterant batteries, you should keep Apple Air Tags away from children. Children should not be allowed to play with the Air Tag even if it is closed because they may be able to access the battery buttons.
THE BEST AIR TAG REPLACEMENT BATTERIES
If your AirTag batteries need to be replaced, or if you simply want extra batteries in case your AirTag dies, you can order them online.
As previously stated, these three options are all the right size and do not contain the bitterant that can potentially cause issues.
1. CR2032 Amazon Basics 4-Pack
The Amazon Basics CR2032 battery pack contains four batteries and is an excellent value. If you have a lot of AirTags or want to keep extra batteries on hand, you can also choose a 6- or 10-count pack.
This product is even eligible for same-day Prime delivery in many areas, which is useful if your AirTag has died and you need to resume tracking as soon as possible.
2. Best Buy Essentials CR2032 6-Pack
If you prefer to shop at Best Buy, they also have an affordable option from the Best Buy essentials line. These come in a pack of six and fit perfectly into AirTags.
Best Buy, like Amazon, offers quick delivery on these batteries, though you can also buy online and pick them up in-store or curbside if it’s in stock near you.
3. 6-Pack Energizer CR2032 Lithium Batteries
Do you prefer a well-known brand? Choose this Energizer six-pack. Their CR2032 batteries are free of the bitterant coating used by other major battery brands, and they have a 10-year shelf life, so you can stock up.
You’ll probably only use one battery per year per AirTag, so you’ll have plenty of time to work your way through this six-pack.
I LOST SOMETHING WITH AN AIR TAG ATTACHED. WHAT DO I DO?
If you’ve completely lost your bag or keys with an AirTag attached, say in a shopping mall, then the process for finding it is a little different. The first thing you should do is enable the AirTag’s Lost Mode.
- Open the Find My app, tap Items, select the lost tag, and then slide the panel up from the bottom of the screen until you see an option to enable Lost Mode.
- Tap Enable, then read the information on the next screen before selecting Continue. On the next screen, enter a phone number where you can be reached if your AirTag is found, or select the option to use an email address and enter your email address before tapping Next.
- Turn on Notify When Found on the next screen to be notified if the tag is found by another Apple device, and then tap Activate.
If you do not mark an item as lost, the person who finds and scans your AirTag will not be able to contact you. Please do not skip this step. Apple’s Find My network crowdsources the location of Find My-enabled devices like AirTags anonymously.
With nearly a billion iPhones in use today, you should have no trouble tracking the tag’s location at any time. If you enabled Notify, you’ll receive an alert the next time an Apple device connects to your tag, letting you know where it is.
WHAT IF I FOUND SOMEONE ELSE’S AIRTAG?
I’ve covered what to do when you lose an item with an AirTag attached, but what if you find something with someone else’s AirTag attached? You can help return a lost item to its owner by scanning the AirTag as if you were making a mobile payment, whether you have an iPhone or an Android.
In other words, place the tag on the back of your phone and allow the NFC scanner on the phone to read the chip inside the AirTag.
Your phone will receive an alert with a Safari link (a Chrome link for Android users). When you open it, you’ll see if the owner has marked the item as lost, as well as a phone number where you can contact them.
CAN I GIVE AN AIR TAG TO SOMEONE ELSE WITHOUT MY APPLE ID?
AirTags were designed by Apple to be linked to a single Apple ID, and there is currently no way to share a tag with other members of your Family Sharing group.
That means that if you helpfully set up a tag for use with your partner’s car keys, that tag is tied to your Apple ID rather than your partner’s, so your partner won’t be able to find or interact with the tag if it’s lost; you’ll have to do it for them.
To correct this, remove the AirTag from your account so they can pair it with theirs. Open the Find My app, go to the Items tab, select the tag you want to remove, and then swipe up on the drawer at the bottom of the screen.
At the very bottom, there is a button labeled Remove-Item, followed by Remove. The AirTag will beep to indicate that it has been removed and is ready for use by another user.
Alternative Video: Do You Have To Charge An Apple AirTag?
CONCLUSION On Charging An AirTag
Apple Air Tags are not rechargeable and lack a charging port. When the battery runs out or the device dies, you’ll need to replace it with CR2032 batteries; just make sure they don’t have a bitterant coating.
You can also check the battery level of the Air Tags in the Find My app, which allows you to replace the batteries before the Tag dies.
FAQs About Charging An AirTag
Do you have to pay monthly for AirTag?
There are no monthly fees, and while they do not come with a way to attach themselves to keys or backpacks, there are plenty of accessories available to help you do so. There are three ways an AirTag can assist you in locating your item. First, there was only a sound. When the device is nearby, you can ping it.
How long does the AirTag battery last?
AirTag is designed to last more than a year on a standard, easily replaceable battery. And your iPhone will notify you when it is time to replace it.
How does AirTag charge?
Check the battery charge of your AirTag. Select the Items tab. Tap the AirTag’s battery charge that you want to check. Examine the battery icon next to the name of your AirTag. If the charge is deficient, a Low Battery banner will appear.
How can I tell if my AirTag is following me?
If you believe someone is tracking your location with an AirTag or another item tracker, you can scan to try to find it. You can play a sound to help find an AirTag or compatible item tracker if the app detects one nearby for at least 10 minutes. Download the Tracker Detect app from Google Play.