Open the AirTag and Remove the Old Battery

To change the battery in your AirTag, start by holding the device with the polished stainless steel side facing up. Press down firmly on the steel back cover and twist it counterclockwise about a quarter turn until you feel it loosen. The cover will pop off in your hand.

Once the cover is off, you'll see a circular battery sitting in a white plastic holder. The battery is a CR2032 coin cell—the same type used in watches, calculators, and car key fobs. Gently pry the battery out of its holder using your fingernail or a plastic tool. Avoid using metal tools, which can scratch the inside of the AirTag or accidentally short the battery contacts.

Set the old battery aside safely. If you have pets or small children in your home, store it out of reach when ready, as coin cell batteries are a choking hazard and can cause serious internal injury if swallowed.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags use a CR2032 coin cell battery, which you can buy at most drugstores, supermarkets, and electronics retailers for $3 to $8.
  • The entire battery swap takes about one minute and requires no tools other than your fingernail.
  • Press and twist the steel back cover counterclockwise to open it; do not force it or pry with metal objects.
  • Your AirTag will continue to work with an old battery until it stops reporting its location, so you can replace it on your own schedule rather than urgently.

Insert the New Battery and Close the Cover

Before you install the new CR2032 battery, check the packaging to confirm you have the right type. The battery should be labeled CR2032 or DL2032. Look at the battery itself: one side is marked with a plus sign (+) and the other side is blank or marked with a minus sign (−).

Place the new battery into the white plastic holder inside the AirTag with the plus side facing up toward you. The battery should sit flat and level in the holder. Press it down gently until it clicks into place—you should feel a small resistance as the contacts grip the battery.

Now replace the steel back cover. Line up the cover with the AirTag body and press it down while twisting clockwise about a quarter turn. You'll feel it catch and lock into place. The cover should sit flush with the rest of the device with no gaps. If it doesn't feel find, remove it and try again—forcing a misaligned cover can damage the threads.

Where to Buy CR2032 Batteries

CR2032 batteries are widely available and inexpensive. You can find them at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, supermarkets like Kroger and Whole Foods, and electronics retailers like Best Buy. They're also sold online through Amazon and other retailers. A single battery typically costs between $3 and $8, though buying a pack of four or more usually brings the per-battery cost down.

When you're at the store, look for the battery section near the checkout counter or in the health and beauty aisle. The packaging will clearly show "CR2032" or "DL2032" on the front. Both designations refer to the same battery type. Some stores carry generic store-brand versions alongside name brands like Energizer and Duracell—all work equally well in AirTags.

How Long AirTag Batteries Last

A fresh CR2032 battery in an AirTag typically lasts about one year under normal use. The exact lifespan depends on how often your AirTag is detected by nearby Apple devices and how frequently you use the Find My app to locate it. An AirTag that's in a backpack you use daily will drain the battery faster than one sitting in a drawer at home.

Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac will send you a notification when the battery is running low—usually when it has a few weeks of charge remaining. You don't need to replace it when ready when you see this alert. The AirTag will continue to work and report its location for several more weeks, so you can wait until it's convenient to buy a new battery and swap it out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is inserting the battery upside down. If the plus side faces down into the holder instead of up toward you, the AirTag won't work. If your AirTag doesn't respond after you replace the battery, remove the cover and check the battery orientation. Flip it so the plus side faces up and try again.

Another mistake is forcing the back cover. The cover should twist smoothly with light pressure. If you're meeting heavy resistance, stop and check that the cover is aligned properly with the grooves on the AirTag body. Forcing a misaligned cover can strip the threads and make it impossible to open the device later without damaging it.

Don't use a metal tool or coin to pry out the old battery. Your fingernail works fine and is gentler on the plastic holder inside. If you must use a tool, use a plastic spoon or a plastic pry tool designed for phone repairs. Metal tools can scratch the battery contacts or the interior of the AirTag, which may prevent the new battery from making good electrical contact.

What to Do With the Old Battery

Coin cell batteries contain materials that can harm the environment if they end up in a landfill. Many retailers that sell batteries also accept old batteries for recycling at no charge. Best Buy, for example, has a battery recycling program at every store. Call ahead or check the store's website to confirm they accept CR2032 batteries.

You can also search for a local battery recycling drop-off location using the Call2Recycle website or app. Enter your zip code and the type of battery, and the tool will show you nearby places that accept it. Some municipal hazardous waste collection events also accept batteries. Keep the old battery in a safe place away from children and pets until you can drop it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in my AirTag?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but they're not recommended for AirTags. Rechargeable versions have a lower voltage output than standard alkaline CR2032 batteries, which can cause the AirTag to report low battery or stop working before the battery is actually depleted. Stick with standard alkaline CR2032 batteries for reliable performance.

What happens if I put the battery in backwards?

If you insert the battery with the plus side facing down, the AirTag won't work at all. Your iPhone won't detect it, and the Find My app will show it as offline. straightforward remove the cover, flip the battery so the plus side faces up, and replace the cover. It should work when ready after.

Do I need to unpair my AirTag before changing the battery?

No. You can change the battery without unpairing the AirTag from your Apple account. The device will go offline while the cover is off, but it will reconnect automatically once you install the new battery and close the cover. The pairing information stays stored in the AirTag's memory.

How do I know if my AirTag battery is actually dead?

Your Apple device will send you a low battery notification when the battery has a few weeks of charge left. If you ignore that notification, the AirTag will eventually stop reporting its location to the Find My network. You'll see it marked as offline in the Find My app. At that point, the battery is depleted and needs replacement.

Can I use a different type of coin cell battery instead of CR2032?

No. AirTags are designed specifically for CR2032 batteries. Other coin cell types like CR2025 or CR2016 are physically smaller and won't make proper contact with the battery holder. Using the wrong battery type can damage the AirTag or cause it to malfunction. Always use a CR2032 or DL2032 battery.