Apple AirTags are wireless tracking devices – about the size of a quarter, that help us find the things we easily misplace – like our house keys and wallet! Since it’s battery operated, it requires a working battery to work as designed. If you need to know how to replace your AirTag’s battery, we’ve covered the steps in this article.
As well as how to replace the battery, our FAQs section includes what to try if your AirTag is not pairing to your device and some tips on how to make your AirTag battery last longer.
How to Replace the Battery in AirTags?
Replacing your AirTag battery is pretty straight-forward:
- Turn the AirTag so the silver side is facing upwards.
- On the opposite sides of the silver casing, press down with your thumbs.
- Turn counter-clockwise whilst pressing down.
- Once the silver top comes loose, remove it.
- Remove the old battery.
- Insert your new CR2032 battery with the + (positive) sign facing upwards.
- Replace the silver cover.
- Turn the cover clockwise whilst pressing down with your thumbs again.
Are AirTags Rechargeable?
AirTags are battery-operated and not designed for recharging. They use Panasonic CR2032 batteries.
How Long Do AirTag Batteries Last?
AirTag batteries can last up to one year – depending on their usage. This approximation is based on the everyday use of four play sound triggers and one precision finding event per day. Luckily, Apple gives you notice once your battery is running low by sending an alert to your iPhone.
Additional FAQs
How Do I Pair My AirTags?
Before you can successfully pair your AirTag, the following should be enabled on your device:
· Two-factor authentication
· The “Find My” application
· Bluetooth
· Location Services
· Location Access for “Find My,” and
· A strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Then to pair your AirTag:
1. If you’ve just purchased an AirTag, once you’ve removed the wrapping, pull the tab out to initiate the battery then AirTag will play a welcome sound.
2. Hold the AirTag close to one of your Apple devices, then click on “Connect.”
3. Complete the on-screen instructions.
· You’ll see a “More than one AirTag detected” message if you have multiple AirTags. Ensure a single AirTag is close to your device at a time.
4. Click on the item you wish to track, then “Continue.”
5. Click on “Continue” again for registering your AirTag with your Apple ID.
· The AirTag will chime again once the setup is complete.
How to Find an Item?
If you lose an item, use the “Find My” app to help locate it.
1. Launch “Find My.”
2. Click on “Items.”
3. Then find your AirTag via the map.
4. In the “Items List” at the bottom, you’ll see the place and time details of its last known location.
5. For more details, select an item.
6. If your item appears to be close by but you’re unable to find it, click on “Play Sound” then listen out for a sound.
7. If your iPhone is a recent model with Ultra-Wideband and your item is within Bluetooth range, a button labeled “Find’ will display.
8. Otherwise, a “Directions” button will be available. Clicking on it will launch a Map to take you to your item’s last location.
9. Click “Find” for help finding your item’s exact location.
Then, with your iPhone, move around your space a little.
10. Once your iPhone and AirTag connect, an arrow will guide you to it and provide its approximate distance away from you in feet.
11. When you’ve found it, you’ll hear the AirTag chime.
12. Click on the “X” to exit the page.
How to Rename Your AirTag?
1. Launch “Find My” then click on “Items.”
2. Click on the AirTag for the name/emoji you wish to change.
3. Scroll downwards to select the “Rename” item.
4. Select “Custom Name” or choose one from the options.
5. Enter another name for the AirTag then choose an emoji.
6. Select “Done.”
How to Fix AirTag Not Connecting?
Try the following if your AirTag is not working or doesn’t connect to your device:
Ensure Two-Factor Authentication Enabled
1. On your Apple device, launch “Settings.”
2. Click on your name then “Password & Security.”
3. Select Two-Factor Authentication to turn it ON.
4. Then select “Continue.”
5. Enter the number you wish to receive verification codes on when signing in.
· You can receive codes via text or an automated telephone call.
6. Click on “Next.”
7. Type in the verification code to verify your number and enable two-factor authentication.
Ensure You’re Not Using Managed Apple ID
Apple advises not to use your iOS/ iPadOS devices with Managed Apple ID for successful AirTag pairing.
Ensure Find My App Is Enabled
1. Launch “Settings.”
2. Click on your name then “Find My.”
3. For friends and family to know where you are, enable “Share My Location.”
4. Select “Find My [device]” then enable “Find My [device]”.
5. Enable “Find My network” to see your device when it’s offline.
Enable “Send Last Location” to send the location of your device to Apple when the battery is low.
Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Is Enabled
To enable Bluetooth:
1. Launch “Settings” via your Apple device.
2. Tap “Bluetooth” then toggle ON “Bluetooth.”
To enable Wi-Fi:
1. Launch “Settings” via your Apple device.
2. Tap “Wi-Fi” then toggle ON “Wi-Fi.”
Enable Location Services
1. Launch “Settings” on your Apple device.
2. Scroll towards the bottom “Privacy” and tap on it.
3. Select “Location Services” then toggle ON “Location Services.”
If none of the above gets your AirTag to connect – it’s time to bring out the big guns:
Try Resetting Network Settings
Your Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data must all work well for AirTag to work. Try resetting your network settings to essentially clear all your previous Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth connections to hopefully fix any miscellaneous network-related problems preventing AirTag from connecting to your device:
1. Launch the “Settings” on your Apple device.
2. Click on “General.”
3. Scroll downwards and click on “Reset.”
4. Then “Reset Network Settings.”
Try an AirTag Factory Reset
A factory reset has been known to solve common AirTag connection problems. To factory reset your AirTag:
1. Launch “Find My,” then select “Items.”
2. Click on the AirTag you wish to reset.
3. To access the AirTag setting swipe up.
4. Then click on “Remove item.”
5. Click on “Remove” again to confirm.
· Once you’ve successfully reset your AirTag, reconnect it to the device:
6. Hold the AirTag close to your device, then select the “Connect” button that appears.
· You’ll see “More than one AirTag detected” if you have multiple AirTags. Ensure a single AirTag is close to your device at a time.
Try Removing and Replacing the Battery
1. Turn the AirTag so that the silver side is facing upwards.
2. On the opposite sides of the silver casing, press down with your thumbs.
3. Turn counter-clockwise whilst pressing down.
4. When the silver top is moveable, remove it.
5. Remove the battery.
6. Insert your new CR2032 battery with the + (positive) sign facing upwards.
7. Replace the silver cover.
8. Turn the cover clockwise whilst pressing down with your thumbs again.
Still no joy? Try contacting the Apple Support Team.
How to Maximize AirTag Battery Life?
Here are some tips on how to help preserve the life of your AirTag battery:
• Only activate the AirTag once you need to start using it.
• Try keeping it in a dry environment that’s at or below room temperature.
• When replacing the battery, Apple recommends the Panasonic CR2032 battery since other brands may not last as long.
Never Lose Your Valuables Again
The AirTag is a quarter-sized tracking device designed to help you find items when you can’t, e.g. your keys, wallet, and even your luggage at the airport. By attaching an AirTag to the item and pairing it from your Apple device, you’ll hopefully never lose your valuables again.
Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to replace your AirTag battery, roughly how long did the previous battery last? Did you need to use your AirTag often? Were you able to find your misplaced items? Let us know what you generally think about the AirTag in the comments section below.
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