An AirTag battery lasts about one year under normal use

Apple AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin-cell battery that typically runs for one year before it needs replacing. That timeline assumes you use the AirTag in a normal way—attaching it to a keychain, bag, or wallet and letting it send location updates as you move around. If you use it more intensively, checking its location constantly or keeping it in a high-traffic area where it communicates with Apple devices frequently, the battery may drain faster. If you barely use it, it may last longer.

The battery does not die suddenly. Apple's Find My app will send you a notification when the battery is low, giving you time to replace it before the AirTag stops working. You do not need to take it to a store or send it anywhere—you open the back, pop out the old battery, and drop in a new CR2032, which costs a few dollars at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTag batteries last approximately one year with typical daily use.
  • The Find My app notifies you when the battery is low, so you have warning before it dies.
  • Replacing the battery takes less than a minute and requires only a CR2032 coin-cell battery, available at most stores.
  • Heavy use—constant location checks or placement in areas with dense device traffic—may shorten battery life to several months.
  • The battery cannot be recharged; you must physically replace it each time.

What affects how fast the battery drains

The main factor is how often the AirTag communicates with nearby Apple devices. Every time your AirTag sends a location update to the Find My network, it uses a small amount of battery. If you check your AirTag's location in the app multiple times a day, or if it sits in a place where many iPhones, iPads, and Macs pass by regularly, it will communicate more frequently and drain faster.

Bluetooth range also plays a role. If your AirTag is far from any Apple device most of the time, it uses less power because it is not constantly trying to connect. An AirTag on a keychain you carry everywhere will drain faster than one attached to a rarely-used item stored in a closet.

Temperature can affect battery performance too. Coin-cell batteries work less efficiently in very cold conditions, so an AirTag left outside in winter may show lower battery life than one kept at room temperature. This is temporary—the battery recovers as it warms up.

How to check your AirTag battery status

Open the Find My app on any Apple device and tap the Items tab at the bottom. Select the AirTag you want to check. The battery percentage appears near the top of the screen, next to the AirTag's name. If the battery is below 10 percent, the app displays a low-battery warning and the percentage turns red.

You do not have to check manually—Apple sends a notification to your device when the battery drops to around 10 percent. This notification appears even if you have not opened the Find My app in weeks, so you will know when it is time to replace the battery.

Steps to replace an AirTag battery

The replacement process takes about one minute and requires no tools. Hold the AirTag with the stainless steel back facing you. Press down on the back cover and rotate it counterclockwise until it stops—you will feel it click. Lift the cover off.

The old CR2032 battery sits in a small metal holder. Lift it out and set it aside. Drop the new CR2032 battery into the holder with the positive side (the side with the number stamped on it) facing up. Replace the cover by aligning it with the AirTag body and rotating it clockwise until it clicks into place.

The Find My app will recognize the new battery when ready. The battery percentage will reset to 100 percent, and the low-battery notification will clear.

Where to buy replacement CR2032 batteries

CR2032 batteries are one of the most common coin-cell batteries in the world, so they are stocked almost everywhere. You can find them at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, grocery stores, hardware stores, and big-box retailers like Target and Walmart. Online retailers including Amazon carry them in bulk packs, which is cheaper per battery if you have multiple devices that use them.

Prices vary slightly, but a single CR2032 usually costs between one and three dollars. A pack of four or five costs four to eight dollars. Do not buy the cheapest option if the seller is unknown—counterfeit batteries exist, and they drain faster and may not work reliably. Stick with major retailers or well-reviewed sellers.

What happens when an AirTag battery dies

Once the battery is completely dead, the AirTag stops communicating with the Find My network. You will not be able to locate it using the app, and it will not show up on anyone else's device either. If you have lost the item the AirTag is attached to, a dead battery means you have lost the ability to find it.

This is why the low-battery notification is important—it gives you a window of time to replace the battery before the AirTag becomes useless. If you ignore the notification and the battery dies, straightforward replacing the battery will restore full function when ready.

Can you recharge an AirTag battery

No. The CR2032 battery in an AirTag is not rechargeable. You must physically remove the old battery and install a new one each time. There is no charging port, no wireless charging, and no way to extend the battery's life once it starts to fail.

This design keeps the AirTag small and waterproof. Adding a rechargeable battery and charging mechanism would make it larger and more complex. The trade-off is that you need to replace the battery once a year, which takes less than a minute and costs a few dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The AirTag is designed specifically for CR2032 batteries. Using a different size or type of battery will not fit properly or may damage the device. Always use a CR2032 coin-cell battery.

Does the battery drain faster if I use Precision Finding?

Precision Finding uses Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband to locate your AirTag when you are close to it, which does use more power than regular location updates. If you use Precision Finding frequently, you may notice the battery drains slightly faster, but the difference is usually small over the course of a year.

What if my AirTag battery dies while I am traveling?

If you are away from home and the battery dies, you can buy a CR2032 battery at any pharmacy or store in the area and replace it on the spot. The battery is inexpensive and widely available worldwide, so this is rarely a problem.

Will my AirTag still work if the battery is at 1 percent?

Yes, it will continue to work until the battery is completely depleted. However, once it reaches very low levels, communication may become unreliable. Replace the battery as soon as you see the low-battery notification to avoid losing tracking ability.

How do I know if my battery is counterfeit?

Counterfeit batteries often drain much faster than genuine ones and may not fit snugly in the battery holder. Buy from established retailers like pharmacies, grocery stores, or major online sellers. If a battery drains in a few weeks instead of a year, it may be counterfeit—switch to a different brand or retailer.