Yes, you can replace an AirTag battery yourself in about 10 seconds

AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that you can buy at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer for $3 to $8. Apple designed the AirTag so you can swap it out without tools or opening the device. The whole process takes less time than it takes to read this sentence.

When your AirTag stops reporting its location or the Find My app shows a low battery warning, a fresh CR2032 is all you need. You do not need to contact Apple, return the device, or buy a replacement AirTag.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTag batteries are user-replaceable CR2032 coin cells that cost $3 to $8 and last about one year under normal use.
  • To replace the battery, press the stainless steel back cover and twist counterclockwise until it stops, then lift it off and swap the old battery for a new one.
  • Any CR2032 battery works — you do not need an Apple-branded battery or a specific model.
  • If your AirTag still does not work after replacing the battery, the device itself may be damaged and replacement is the only option.

What battery does an AirTag use

The AirTag runs on a CR2032 lithium coin cell battery, the same type used in watches, car key fobs, calculators, and hearing aids. It is 20 millimeters across and 3.2 millimeters thick. Any CR2032 from any brand — Duracell, Energizer, Amazon Basics, or a pharmacy store brand — works identically in an AirTag.

A fresh CR2032 typically powers an AirTag for about one year if you use it normally. Heavy use — checking its location multiple times a day, or keeping it in a place with poor Bluetooth range that forces it to search constantly — can drain it faster. Light use extends the battery life.

How to replace the battery step by step

Hold the AirTag with the white plastic side facing up and the stainless steel back facing down. Locate the small notch or seam where the steel back meets the plastic body — it runs around the edge.

Press down on the steel back cover with your thumb or finger and twist it counterclockwise (the direction opposite a clock's hands) until you feel it stop. It usually takes a quarter turn or less. Do not force it; if it does not move easily, you are twisting the wrong direction.

Lift the steel back cover straight up and set it aside. The old CR2032 battery will be sitting in a shallow cup in the plastic body, with the positive side (marked with a + symbol) facing up toward you.

Lift out the old battery and drop in the new CR2032 with the positive side facing up. Press the steel back cover down and twist it clockwise until it clicks and stops. Your AirTag is now active again and will appear in the Find My app within a few seconds.

Where to buy a CR2032 battery

CR2032 batteries are sold everywhere. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stock them in the watch and battery aisle. Grocery stores carry them near the checkout or in the health and beauty section. Target, Walmart, and other general retailers have them in the electronics or pharmacy section.

Online, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.com all ship CR2032 batteries, often in multipacks of 2 to 10 for $5 to $15. If you buy a multipack, you will have spares for other devices or future AirTag replacements. Buying a single battery at a pharmacy usually costs $4 to $8, while a multipack online averages $0.50 to $1 per battery.

Signs your AirTag battery needs replacing

The Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac will show a low battery notification when the CR2032 is running down. This warning typically appears a few weeks before the battery dies completely, giving you time to buy a replacement.

If your AirTag stops reporting its location or does not respond when you play a sound on it, the battery may be dead. Replace it and check again within a minute. If the AirTag still does not work after a fresh battery, the device itself may be damaged — water damage, a cracked circuit board, or a defective Bluetooth chip — and replacement is the only fix.

What to do with the old battery

Do not throw a used CR2032 in the trash. Lithium batteries can leak or catch fire in landfills or garbage trucks. Most pharmacies and retailers that sell batteries also collect used ones for free. CVS, Walgreens, Best Buy, and Home Depot all have battery recycling programs at the register or customer service desk.

If you cannot reach a retailer, check Earth911.com or Call2Recycle.org to find a drop-off location near you. Many municipalities also accept batteries at hazardous waste collection events. The effort takes five minutes and keeps the battery out of the environment.

Troubleshooting after battery replacement

If you replace the battery and the AirTag still does not show up in Find My, try removing and reinserting the battery. Make sure the positive side (the + symbol) faces up toward the plastic body, not down. A battery installed upside down will not make contact and the AirTag will not power on.

If it still does not work, restart your iPhone or iPad and wait two minutes. Sometimes the Find My app needs a moment to reconnect to the AirTag. If the AirTag has been sitting unused for months, the battery may have corroded the contacts inside — in that case, a new battery will not help and you will need to replace the AirTag itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in my AirTag?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but they deliver lower voltage than disposable ones and may not power the AirTag reliably. Stick with a standard disposable CR2032 lithium battery. The cost difference is small and the disposable version lasts longer per charge.

What happens if I put the battery in backwards?

The AirTag will not turn on. The battery contacts inside the device only work when the positive side faces up. If you install it upside down, straightforward remove it, flip it, and reinsert it. No damage occurs.

How long does a CR2032 battery last in an AirTag?

A new CR2032 typically lasts about one year in normal use. If you check the AirTag's location constantly or keep it in an area with weak Bluetooth signal, it may drain faster. Light use can extend it to 18 months or longer.

Do I need to buy an Apple-branded battery?

No. Any CR2032 battery works in an AirTag. Apple does not make its own batteries — the AirTag uses a standard coin cell that dozens of manufacturers produce. Duracell, Energizer, and store brands are all identical in performance.

What if the battery cover is stuck and won't twist?

Make sure you are twisting counterclockwise (opposite the direction clock hands move). If it still will not budge, try wrapping a thin rubber band around the steel cover for better grip, then twist again gently. Do not use pliers or force — you risk damaging the cover or the plastic body underneath.