The battery in an Apple AirTag lasts about a year, and you replace it yourself in under a minute

Apple 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 reporting its location or the Find My app shows a low battery warning, you open the back and swap in a fresh one. The whole process takes less time than it takes to read these instructions.

You do not need any tools, and you cannot damage the AirTag by opening it. The back twists off by hand, the battery sits in a holder you can see, and the holder pops out with one finger. Apple designed this to be straightforward because they knew millions of people would need to do it.

Key Takeaways

  • The battery is a CR2032 coin cell, available at drugstores and supermarkets for a few dollars.
  • You twist the back of the AirTag counterclockwise until it comes free, then lift out the battery holder.
  • The new battery goes in with the flat side facing up, and the holder clicks back into place.
  • The AirTag will show a full battery in the Find My app within a few seconds of the new battery being installed.

What you need before you start

Buy a CR2032 battery. That is the only thing you need. You do not need a screwdriver, a coin, or any other tool — the AirTag back twists off by hand. If you have trouble gripping the back, a dry cloth or a rubber band around it will give you more grip, but most people do not need even that.

You can buy CR2032 batteries at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Amazon, or any pharmacy. They are cheap and come in packs of two or more, so you will have spares. Some people keep one in a drawer so they do not have to go to the store when the warning appears.

How to open the AirTag and remove the old battery

Hold the AirTag in one hand with the white plastic side facing up. The back is the side with the stainless steel ring. Place your thumb on the steel ring and your fingers on the white plastic, then twist the back counterclockwise — the same direction you would turn a jar lid to open it. You will feel it loosen after a quarter turn or so.

Keep twisting until the back comes free in your hand. You will see a circular battery holder inside, usually silver or gold colored. Press down on the edge of the holder with your thumb or finger, and it will pop out toward you. The old CR2032 battery is sitting inside this holder, flat side up.

Lift the battery out with your finger or a fingernail. It is not glued in place — it just sits there. You can throw the old battery away or recycle it at a store that takes batteries, though most people just toss it.

Installing the new battery

Take your new CR2032 battery and look at both sides. One side is flat and blank, and the other side has a plus sign (+) stamped into it. The flat side goes up, facing the white plastic of the AirTag. The plus side faces down, toward the holder.

Drop the battery into the holder with the flat side up. It will sit flat against the top of the holder. Now press the holder back into the AirTag from the bottom, pushing up until you hear or feel a click. The holder should sit flush with the inside of the AirTag, not sticking out.

Twist the back of the AirTag clockwise — the opposite direction from when you opened it — until it is snug. You do not need to force it. It should feel tight but not like you are straining. The back will sit flush with the white plastic when it is closed all the way.

Checking that the new battery is working

Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and tap the Items tab at the bottom. Find your AirTag in the list and tap it. The battery percentage should show as 100% within a few seconds. If it still shows low or no battery, open the AirTag again and make sure the battery is sitting flat in the holder with the plus side down.

If the battery percentage does not update after a minute, try closing and reopening the Find My app. Sometimes the app takes a moment to refresh. If the AirTag still shows no battery after that, the new battery may be defective — try a different one from the same pack.

How long the new battery will last

A fresh CR2032 battery in an AirTag lasts about one year under normal use. How long it actually lasts depends on how often you use Find My to locate the AirTag. If you check its location every day, the battery may run down faster. If you only check it once a week or less, it may last longer than a year.

When the battery gets low, the Find My app will show a yellow or red battery icon next to the AirTag name. You do not have to replace it when ready — the AirTag will keep working for a while after the warning appears — but you should plan to swap in a fresh battery within a week or two so you do not lose tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The AirTag is designed for CR2032 only. Other coin cell batteries like CR2025 or CR2016 are physically different sizes and will not fit properly or work. Stick with CR2032, which is the most common coin cell battery and is sold everywhere.

What do I do with the old battery?

You can throw it in the trash — a single used CR2032 is not hazardous. If you want to recycle it, most drugstores and supermarkets have a battery recycling bin near the customer service desk or the entrance. Some people save old batteries in a jar and drop them off during a store visit.

Will the AirTag stop working if I leave the back off?

Yes. The back of the AirTag is not just a cover — it completes the circuit for the battery. Without it, the battery will not power the AirTag. Always screw the back on before you use the AirTag again.

How do I know which side of the battery goes up?

The flat, blank side goes up toward the white plastic. The side with the plus sign (+) stamped into it goes down toward the holder. If you put it in backward, the AirTag will not work, but you can just flip it over and try again — it will not hurt anything.

Can I damage the AirTag by opening it too many times?

No. The back is designed to twist off and on many times. You can replace the battery as many times as you need to without wearing out the AirTag. The plastic and metal will not break from normal use.