AirTag batteries die after about one year of normal use
An AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, the same type found in watches and calculators. Apple rates the battery to last roughly one year before it stops holding a charge. The actual lifespan depends on how often your AirTag sends location updates — a tag you check constantly will drain faster than one sitting in a desk drawer.
When the battery gets low, your iPhone will send you a notification saying "AirTag battery low" in the Find My app. This warning typically appears a few weeks before the battery is completely dead, giving you time to grab a replacement. The battery cannot be recharged; you must swap in a fresh CR2032 when the old one dies.
You will know the battery is truly dead when the AirTag stops appearing in Find My and no longer plays a sound when you ask Siri to find it. At that point, the tag is offline until you install a new battery.
Key Takeaways
- AirTag batteries last approximately one year under typical use, though this varies based on how often the tag communicates with your devices.
- Your iPhone sends a notification when the battery is low, usually several weeks before it dies completely.
- Replacement batteries are CR2032 coin cells, widely available at drugstores, supermarkets, and online retailers for a few dollars.
- Changing the battery takes less than a minute and requires only twisting the back cover off and dropping in a fresh cell.
- A dead AirTag cannot be recharged and will not work until you install a new battery.
What drains an AirTag battery faster
An AirTag communicates with nearby Apple devices to update its location. The more often it sends these updates, the more battery it uses. If you carry your AirTag in a bag you use every day, it will drain faster than one attached to a spare key you rarely touch.
Bluetooth range also matters. An AirTag in a crowded area with many Apple devices nearby will find a connection quickly and use less power. An AirTag in a remote location may search longer for a device to relay its position, which consumes more battery. Extreme cold can also reduce battery performance temporarily, though this is usually reversible once the tag warms up.
The precision finding feature — which uses Ultra Wideband to locate an AirTag within a few feet — does not significantly drain the battery because it only activates when you are actively searching for the tag nearby.
How to replace an AirTag battery
Replacing the battery is straightforward and takes about one minute. Hold the AirTag with the white side facing up. Press down on the stainless steel back cover and twist it counterclockwise until it stops. The cover will come free, and the old battery will usually fall out or can be lifted out by hand.
Drop a fresh CR2032 battery into the empty slot with the positive side (marked with a +) facing up. Press the cover back on and twist it clockwise until you hear a click. Your iPhone will recognize the new battery within a few seconds, and the AirTag will appear as connected in Find My again.
Do not force the cover. If it feels stuck, try twisting more gently — the cover has a specific stopping point and should not require excessive pressure. If the cover cracks or the battery slot becomes damaged, the AirTag cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.
Where to buy replacement CR2032 batteries
CR2032 batteries are one of the most common battery types in the world, so you can find them almost anywhere. Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens stock them in the battery aisle, usually for $3 to $8 per battery. Supermarkets, hardware stores, and big-box retailers like Target and Walmart carry them as well.
Online, Amazon and other retailers sell CR2032 batteries in bulk packs of 4, 10, or more, which brings the per-battery cost down to $1 to $2 if you buy several at once. Since AirTags last about a year, buying a small pack makes sense if you have multiple tags or plan to keep the same tag for several years.
Check the packaging to confirm you are buying CR2032 specifically — there are similar-looking batteries like CR2025 and CR2016 that will not fit or work in an AirTag. The number 2032 refers to the battery's size: 20 millimeters in diameter and 3.2 millimeters thick.
Signs your AirTag battery is failing
The most obvious sign is the low battery notification in Find My, which appears when the charge drops below a certain threshold. Before that notification arrives, you might notice the AirTag takes longer to update its location or fails to play a sound when you ask Siri to find it.
If the AirTag stops showing up in Find My entirely and does not respond to Siri commands, the battery is likely dead. However, this can also mean the tag has lost connection to nearby Apple devices — try moving it to a different location or restarting your iPhone to rule that out before assuming the battery is dead.
A battery that drains much faster than one year — say, in a few months — is unusual. If this happens, check that the back cover is sealed tightly. A loose cover can cause the battery to lose contact with the internal connections, making it seem dead even though it still has charge.
Can you extend AirTag battery life
You cannot significantly extend the battery life of an AirTag because Apple does not offer settings to reduce how often it updates its location. The tag is designed to work at a fixed power level, and changing that would require a firmware update from Apple, which is not currently available.
What you can do is minimize unnecessary use. If you have an AirTag in a location you check constantly through Find My, try checking less often — each time you open Find My, the app may trigger a location update. Keeping the AirTag in a stable location rather than moving it between bags or pockets will also reduce the number of location changes it needs to report.
Storing an AirTag in a cool, dry place when you are not using it for extended periods may help preserve battery charge slightly, since heat and humidity can degrade batteries over time. However, this is a minor effect and will not meaningfully extend the one-year lifespan.
What happens if you ignore a low battery warning
If you see the low battery notification but do not replace the battery right away, the AirTag will continue to work for a few more weeks. The warning appears early enough that you have time to order a replacement battery online or pick one up at a store without urgency.
Once the battery is completely dead, the AirTag stops communicating entirely. It will not appear in Find My, will not play a sound, and will not relay its location through other Apple devices. The tag becomes a useless piece of plastic until you install a fresh battery.
There is no harm in waiting a few weeks after the warning to replace the battery — the tag is not damaged by a dead battery, and installing a new one will restore full function when ready. However, if you rely on the AirTag to track something important, replacing the battery as soon as you see the warning is the safest approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in my AirTag?
Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but Apple does not recommend them for AirTags. Rechargeable versions have a lower voltage output than standard alkaline CR2032 cells, which can cause the AirTag to behave unpredictably or fail to connect. Stick with standard alkaline CR2032 batteries for reliable performance.
How do I know if my AirTag battery is dead or if the tag is just out of range?
If the AirTag is out of range, it will show a last-known location in Find My and may say "No location found" or show a timestamp of when it was last seen. A dead battery will show no location at all and will not respond to Siri commands. Try moving the AirTag closer to your iPhone — if it still does not appear, the battery is likely dead.
What should I do with the old CR2032 battery after I remove it?
CR2032 batteries contain small amounts of lithium and should not go in regular trash. Many drugstores and retailers that sell batteries also accept used batteries for recycling — ask at the customer service desk. Some communities have battery recycling programs; check your local waste management website for drop-off locations.
Will my AirTag work if I put in a battery upside down?
No. If you insert the battery with the negative side facing up instead of the positive side, the AirTag will not power on. The battery slot is designed to work only one way. If your AirTag does not respond after a battery change, remove the cover and check that the positive side of the battery is facing up toward the cover.
Can I buy AirTag batteries directly from Apple?
Apple does not sell CR2032 batteries separately. You must purchase them from retailers that carry batteries. However, if your AirTag is still under warranty and the battery is defective (drains much faster than normal), Apple may replace the entire tag at no cost — contact Apple Support to discuss your situation.