AirTag batteries last about one year under normal use

An AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin-cell battery that typically lasts around one year before it needs replacement. The exact length depends on how often your AirTag sends location updates—a tag on your keys that you carry everywhere will drain faster than one on a rarely-moved item like a suitcase. Apple's official estimate is "approximately one year," and most users report their batteries lasting between 10 and 14 months with everyday use.

When the battery gets low, your iPhone will send you a notification through the Find My app. You'll have a few weeks of warning before the battery dies completely, so you won't suddenly lose tracking. The notification appears in the Find My app and also as a system alert on your phone, making it hard to miss.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTag batteries last approximately one year under normal use, though this varies based on how often the tag sends location updates.
  • Your iPhone will notify you through the Find My app when the battery is running low, giving you time to replace it before it dies.
  • Replacement batteries are inexpensive CR2032 coin cells, available at most drugstores, grocery stores, and online retailers for under $5.
  • Replacing an AirTag battery takes less than a minute—twist the stainless steel back off and swap in the new battery with the positive side facing up.
  • Factors like cold weather, frequent location updates, and constant Bluetooth searching can shorten battery life below the one-year estimate.

What drains an AirTag battery faster

Several real-world conditions will cause your AirTag battery to drain faster than Apple's one-year estimate. If your AirTag is in a location where it's constantly searching for a Bluetooth connection—like a moving vehicle or a bag you carry everywhere—it will use more power than a stationary tag. Tags on your keys or in your wallet drain faster than tags on items that stay in one place.

Cold weather also reduces battery life. Lithium batteries like the CR2032 perform worse in freezing temperatures, so an AirTag in a winter coat pocket or on outdoor gear will drain noticeably faster than one kept at room temperature. If you use your AirTag's speaker feature frequently to make it beep and help you find lost items, that also draws power, though the effect is small compared to Bluetooth searching.

Older iPhones and older versions of iOS may also cause slightly faster battery drain because they communicate with the AirTag more frequently. This is a minor factor, but worth noting if you're using an iPhone 11 or earlier model.

How to replace an AirTag battery

Replacing an AirTag battery is straightforward and takes about 30 seconds. First, locate the stainless steel back of the AirTag—it's the flat circular side opposite the white plastic face. Hold the AirTag with the white side facing up and press down firmly on the steel back while twisting it counterclockwise. The back will pop off, revealing the CR2032 battery inside.

Remove the old battery and note which side was facing up—the positive side (marked with a +) should face toward you. Insert the new CR2032 battery with the positive side up, then press the steel back onto the AirTag and twist it clockwise until it clicks into place. Your iPhone will recognize the new battery within a few seconds, and the Find My app will show the battery status as full.

Make sure you're using a genuine CR2032 battery or a high-quality replacement. Cheap or counterfeit batteries may not last as long or could potentially damage the AirTag's internal contacts. Panasonic, Energizer, and Duracell CR2032 batteries all work well and are widely available.

Where to buy replacement CR2032 batteries

CR2032 batteries are one of the most common coin-cell batteries made, so you can find them almost anywhere. Most drugstores like CVS and Walgreens stock them in the battery aisle, usually for $3 to $5 per battery. Grocery stores with pharmacy sections also carry them, often in the same aisle as other batteries and household items.

Online retailers like Amazon sell multi-packs of CR2032 batteries at a lower per-battery cost if you have multiple AirTags or other devices that use them. A pack of four batteries typically costs $8 to $12, which works out to $2 to $3 per battery. Buying in bulk makes sense if you plan to keep your AirTags for several years.

You can also buy CR2032 batteries at electronics stores, hardware stores, and big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Some Apple Stores will replace the battery for you if you prefer not to do it yourself, though this service may not be available at all locations—call ahead to confirm.

Signs your AirTag battery is dying

The most obvious sign is the low battery notification from your iPhone, which appears in the Find My app and as a system alert. This notification typically arrives when the battery has about 10 to 20 percent charge remaining, giving you a comfortable window to replace it before the AirTag stops working.

If you don't see a notification but suspect the battery is low, open the Find My app and tap the AirTag in question. The battery percentage appears at the top of the screen. If it shows below 20 percent, replacement is coming soon. Once the battery reaches zero, the AirTag will stop sending location updates and won't respond to the Find My network, though it can be revived when ready with a fresh battery.

In rare cases, an AirTag may stop responding without sending a low battery warning. This usually means the battery died suddenly, which can happen if the battery was defective or if the AirTag was exposed to extreme cold. Replacing the battery will restore full function.

Extending AirTag battery life

While you can't dramatically extend battery life beyond the one-year estimate, a few practices can help. Keep your AirTag at room temperature when possible—avoid leaving it in a car during winter or in direct sunlight for extended periods. The less temperature stress the battery experiences, the longer it will last.

If you have multiple AirTags, avoid placing them all in the same location. When AirTags are clustered together, they compete for Bluetooth connections and may drain faster. Spreading them out across different items or locations reduces this effect.

You can also disable notifications for AirTags you don't actively track. In the Find My app, tap an AirTag and scroll down to turn off notifications. This won't extend battery life significantly, but it reduces the number of times your iPhone communicates with the tag, which has a minor positive effect on battery drain.

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 behave unpredictably or fail to function. Stick with standard alkaline CR2032 batteries from reputable brands.

What happens if I leave a dead AirTag in my bag?

A dead AirTag won't track your location or respond to Find My searches. However, if someone else's iPhone passes near it, their device may detect it and report its location to you through the Find My network. This is a safety feature to help locate lost items, but it only works if other Apple devices are nearby.

Does using AirTag in Lost Mode drain the battery faster?

Yes, slightly. Lost Mode causes the AirTag to search for Bluetooth connections more aggressively and report its location more frequently, which uses more power than normal mode. If you enable Lost Mode, expect the battery to drain a bit faster than the standard one-year estimate.

Can I replace an AirTag battery at an Apple Store?

Some Apple Stores offer battery replacement, but availability varies by location. Call your nearest Apple Store to ask if they provide this service. If they do, bring your AirTag and they can replace the battery while you wait, usually at no charge or for a small fee.

Why does my AirTag battery die in less than a year?

Several factors can shorten battery life below one year: frequent use in cold weather, constant Bluetooth searching, a defective battery, or a damaged AirTag. If your battery dies significantly earlier than expected, try a fresh battery from a different brand. If the problem persists, the AirTag itself may be faulty and worth replacing.