The battery in your AirTag lasts about a year, and replacing it takes less than a minute

AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that you can buy at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer for $3 to $8. When your AirTag stops finding your keys or wallet, a dead battery is usually the reason. The replacement process requires no tools — just your fingers and a new battery.

Apple rates the CR2032 battery to last roughly one year of typical use. Heavy use — tracking something you move around constantly — drains it faster. Light use — a stationary AirTag in a desk drawer — stretches it longer. Either way, the battery is user-replaceable and not glued in.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags use CR2032 coin cell batteries, which cost $3 to $8 and are sold at most drugstores and supermarkets.
  • The battery lasts roughly one year under normal use, though heavy tracking drains it faster.
  • Replacing the battery requires no tools — you press the stainless steel back until it clicks and twist it counterclockwise to open.
  • After you insert the new battery with the positive side facing up, press the back on until it clicks to seal the AirTag.

What battery type your AirTag needs

Your AirTag runs on one CR2032 lithium coin cell battery. This is not a proprietary part — it is the same battery used in watches, calculators, car key fobs, and hearing aids. You will find it in the battery aisle of CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, and most grocery stores. Online, Amazon and Best Buy stock them in bulk packs of 4 or 5 for $5 to $12.

Do not buy a generic or off-brand version if you can help it. Panasonic, Energizer, Duracell, and Maxell CR2032 batteries all work, but they vary slightly in thickness and shelf life. Stick with a name brand to avoid a battery that sits dead in the package or dies weeks after you install it.

How to open your AirTag and remove the old battery

Hold your AirTag with the white plastic side facing you and the stainless steel back facing away. Locate the small seam between the plastic and the metal — it runs around the edge. Press the steel back toward the plastic side with your thumb until you hear or feel a click. This click means the back has moved inward slightly.

Once the back clicks inward, twist it counterclockwise (the same direction you would unscrew a jar lid) about a quarter turn. The back will separate from the plastic body. Set the back aside on a clean surface — the battery sits inside the metal back, not in the plastic.

The old CR2032 battery will be sitting in a small metal cup inside the steel back. It may fall out on its own, or you may need to tip the back gently to slide it out. If it sticks, use your fingernail or a plastic spoon to pry it loose. Do not use a metal tool that could scratch the battery or the inside of the back.

Installing the new battery

Before you insert the new battery, check which side is which. The CR2032 has a flat positive side (marked with a plus sign or a number) and a flat negative side (usually blank or marked with a minus sign). The positive side must face up toward the top of the metal cup when you install it.

Place the new battery into the metal cup with the positive side facing up. Press it down gently until it sits flat. The battery should not require force — if you have to push hard, you have it upside down. Flip it and try again.

Once the battery is seated, align the steel back with the plastic body so the seam lines up. Press the back down and twist it clockwise (the same direction you would screw a jar lid) until you hear a click. The click means the back is locked in place. Your AirTag is now reassembled and ready to use.

How to know if the battery is installed correctly

Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and look for your AirTag in the Items list. If the battery was installed correctly, the AirTag will show a green dot next to its name and display the battery level as "Good" or a percentage. If the battery is upside down or not seated properly, the AirTag will show a red dot and say "No Connection" or "Battery Low."

If you see "No Connection," open your AirTag again, remove the battery, flip it 180 degrees, and reinstall it with the positive side facing up. Close the back, wait 10 seconds, and check the Find My app again. The connection should return within a few seconds of the battery being installed correctly.

Where to buy CR2032 batteries

CR2032 batteries are stocked in the battery aisle of every major pharmacy and supermarket. CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, and Kroger all carry them. A single battery costs $4 to $8 depending on the brand and store. Buying a pack of 4 or 5 online usually costs less per battery than buying one at retail.

Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart's website all sell multi-packs. Panasonic and Energizer packs of 5 typically run $8 to $12. If you own multiple AirTags or other devices that use CR2032 batteries, buying a pack makes sense — the batteries last several years in storage if kept in a cool, dry place.

What to do with the old battery

Do not throw a used CR2032 battery in the trash. Lithium batteries can leak or catch fire in landfills and waste trucks. Instead, take it to a battery recycling program. Most Best Buy locations have a battery recycling bin near the front of the store. Call-A-Head or Earth911 can help you find a recycling center near you by zip code.

Some pharmacies and supermarkets also accept batteries for recycling. Ask at the customer service desk whether they take coin cell batteries. If you have several old batteries, storing them in a sealed plastic bag until you can drop them off at a recycling center is safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in my AirTag?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but Apple does not recommend them. Rechargeable versions have a lower voltage than disposable ones and may not power your AirTag reliably. Stick with a standard disposable CR2032 for consistent performance.

How long does a new battery last in an AirTag?

Apple rates the CR2032 battery to last about one year of typical use. If you track something you move around every day, it may last 8 to 10 months. If your AirTag sits in a drawer or on a shelf, it may last 14 to 16 months. The Find My app will alert you when the battery is low.

What happens if I install the battery upside down?

Your AirTag will not work. The Find My app will show "No Connection" or "Battery Low" even though the battery is new. Open the AirTag, remove the battery, flip it 180 degrees so the positive side faces up, and reinstall it. The AirTag should reconnect within seconds.

Is there a way to extend battery life?

Battery life depends on how often your AirTag broadcasts its location. If you turn off notifications in the Find My app or use Precision Finding less often, the battery will last longer. Keeping your AirTag in a cool environment also helps — heat drains batteries faster than cold.

Can I buy AirTag batteries at Apple?

Apple does not sell CR2032 batteries separately. You must buy them from a pharmacy, supermarket, electronics retailer, or online. The battery is a standard part, not an Apple-exclusive item, so any CR2032 from any brand will work.