AirTags ship with a battery already installed and ready to use

Yes, AirTags come with a battery inside the box. You do not need to buy one separately or install anything before you start using it. When you open a new AirTag, there is a small plastic tab under the white plastic cover on the back. Pull that tab out, and the battery is already active—your AirTag will connect to your iPhone or iPad within seconds.

The battery is a CR2032 coin cell, a common round battery about the size of a dime. Apple includes it because the AirTag would be useless without power, and most people expect a device to work straight out of the box. The tab is there only to prevent the battery from draining during shipping and storage.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags include a CR2032 coin cell battery that is ready to use as soon as you remove the plastic tab from the back.
  • The battery lasts about one year under normal use before you need to replace it.
  • Replacement CR2032 batteries cost between $3 and $8 and are sold at most drugstores, supermarkets, and hardware stores.
  • When the battery is low, your iPhone will send you a notification and the AirTag will show a low-battery warning in the Find My app.

How long the battery lasts

The CR2032 battery in an AirTag typically lasts about one year. That timeline assumes normal use—meaning you are not triggering the speaker constantly or using the AirTag in a way that forces it to search for your device every few minutes. If you use the AirTag to track something you move around frequently, the battery may drain faster.

Apple does not publish exact battery life in hours or days because it depends on how often the AirTag communicates with nearby Apple devices. A tag sitting on your desk will use less power than one on a pet collar or in a bag you carry everywhere. The company's estimate of "about one year" is a reasonable middle ground for most people.

When and how to replace the battery

Your iPhone will notify you when the battery is running low. You will also see a low-battery warning in the Find My app next to that AirTag's name. At that point, you have a few days to a week before the AirTag stops working, so there is no emergency—you can replace it at your convenience.

To replace the battery, hold the AirTag with the white plastic cover facing up. Press down on the cover and twist it counterclockwise until it comes loose. The old battery will fall out. Drop the new CR2032 battery in with the positive side (the flat side with the + mark) facing up, then twist the cover back on clockwise until it clicks. That is all there is to it.

Where to buy replacement CR2032 batteries

CR2032 batteries are one of the most common coin cell batteries in the world. You can buy them at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, supermarkets, hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, and online from Amazon or other retailers. A single battery usually costs between $3 and $8, depending on the brand and where you shop. Buying a pack of four or eight is often cheaper per battery than buying one at a time.

Any CR2032 will work in an AirTag—you do not need an Apple-branded battery. Some people prefer name brands like Energizer or Duracell because they trust the quality, but store brands work just as well. If you have other devices that use CR2032 batteries (some watches, calculators, and car key fobs do), buying in bulk makes sense.

What happens if the battery dies

If the battery completely dies, the AirTag will stop communicating with the Find My network. You will not be able to see its location on a map, and it will not respond if you play a sound to find it. The AirTag itself is not damaged—it will work again as soon as you put in a fresh battery.

If you have lost an item and the AirTag's battery dies before you find it, the tag is essentially useless until you replace the battery. This is why it is worth replacing the battery as soon as you get the low-battery notification, rather than waiting until the tag stops working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of battery in an AirTag?

No. AirTags are designed for CR2032 batteries only. Other coin cell batteries like CR2025 or CR2016 may fit physically but will not work properly and could damage the AirTag. Stick with CR2032.

Is there a way to extend the battery life?

Not significantly. The battery life is determined by how often the AirTag communicates with nearby Apple devices, which you cannot control. Turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone would stop the AirTag from working, so that is not a practical option. Replacing the battery when it runs low is the only real solution.

Do I need to do anything special when I first open an AirTag?

Just pull out the plastic tab from the back cover. That is it. The battery is already installed and will set up as soon as the tab is removed. Your iPhone will detect the AirTag within a few seconds if Bluetooth is on.

What should I do with the old battery after I replace it?

CR2032 batteries contain small amounts of lithium and should not go in the regular trash. Most drugstores and electronics retailers have battery recycling bins near the checkout or customer service desk. Some municipalities also have hazardous waste collection days. Check your local rules, but recycling is the responsible choice.