Check battery percentage in the Find My app
Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click 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 and location.
This is the fastest way to see exactly how much charge remains. The percentage updates each time your AirTag connects to a nearby Apple device on the Find My network, so the number you see is usually current within the last few hours.
Key Takeaways
- The Find My app shows your AirTag's battery percentage at the top of the item details screen.
- Battery readings update when your AirTag connects to the Find My network, typically within hours of the last connection.
- A low battery warning appears in the Find My app before the battery dies, giving you time to replace the CR2032 coin cell.
- AirTags use standard CR2032 batteries that last roughly one year under normal use.
- You cannot check battery life from an Android phone or a Windows computer using the Find My app.
What the battery warning looks like
When your AirTag's battery drops to around 10 percent, the Find My app sends you a notification. The battery percentage on the item details screen also turns red or orange to signal that replacement is coming soon.
You do not need to replace the battery when ready when you see the warning. Most AirTags continue to work for several more days or weeks after the warning appears, depending on how much the tag is being tracked or used. However, replacing the battery sooner rather than later prevents the AirTag from going offline unexpectedly.
Why the battery percentage sometimes shows as unknown
If your AirTag has not connected to the Find My network recently, the app may show the battery status as unknown or display an older percentage. This happens when the AirTag is out of range of any Apple device for an extended period, or when it has been powered off.
To refresh the battery reading, bring the AirTag closer to your iPhone or iPad and wait a few minutes. Once it reconnects to the Find My network, the current battery percentage should appear. If the AirTag remains offline for weeks, the last known battery reading stays visible but may not reflect the actual current charge.
Checking battery on a shared AirTag
If someone else in your family or household shares an AirTag with you through Family Sharing, you can see its battery percentage the same way: open Find My, go to Items, and select the shared tag. The battery status displays for any AirTag you have permission to view.
The person who owns the AirTag receives the low battery notification first, but all family members with access to the item can see the percentage in the app. This means you can check on shared AirTags without waiting for the owner to tell you the battery is running low.
What to do when battery is low
AirTags use a CR2032 coin cell battery, the same type found in watches, calculators, and car key fobs. You can buy these batteries at drugstores, supermarkets, electronics retailers, or online for a few dollars. Replacement takes less than a minute: twist the stainless steel back of the AirTag counterclockwise until it comes loose, remove the old battery, and insert the new one with the positive side facing up.
After you insert the new battery, the AirTag reconnects to Find My automatically. The battery percentage resets to 100 percent, and you should receive a notification confirming the AirTag is active again. Keep the old battery for recycling — most retailers that sell batteries also accept used ones for free.
Battery life and typical replacement schedule
A CR2032 battery in an AirTag lasts roughly one year under normal use. If you use the AirTag heavily — tracking it constantly, playing sounds to find it, or keeping it in a location with many Apple devices nearby — the battery may drain faster. Light use, such as keeping an AirTag in a desk drawer or on a keychain you rarely search for, can extend battery life closer to 18 months.
Apple does not publish exact battery life figures because usage patterns vary widely. The best way to know when you will need a replacement is to check the battery percentage in Find My every few months. Once you see it drop below 50 percent, you can plan to buy a replacement battery within the next few weeks.
Checking battery on Android and Windows
The Find My app is only available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you use an Android phone or Windows computer, you cannot check your AirTag's battery percentage directly through an official Apple tool. You can still locate and control the AirTag through iCloud.com on a web browser, but battery information does not appear there.
If you own an AirTag but primarily use Android or Windows, ask someone with an Apple device to check the battery for you, or plan to replace the battery once a year as a routine maintenance task. Since CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and last a long time, replacing it annually is a practical approach even without checking the exact percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check AirTag battery on my Apple Watch?
Yes. Open the Find My app on your Apple Watch, tap Items, and select your AirTag. The battery percentage displays on the watch screen. This is useful if you want to check the battery without taking out your iPhone.
Does the battery percentage update in real time?
No. The battery reading updates only when your AirTag connects to a device on the Find My network. If your AirTag is offline, the percentage shown is the last known reading, which could be hours or days old. Bring the AirTag near an Apple device to trigger an update.
What happens if my AirTag battery dies completely?
Once the battery is fully drained, the AirTag stops working and cannot be located or tracked. It will not reconnect to Find My until you replace the battery. The AirTag itself is not damaged — straightforward insert a new CR2032 and it will function normally again.
Can I use a rechargeable battery in my AirTag?
AirTags are designed for single-use CR2032 batteries only. Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist but are not recommended because they have different voltage characteristics and may not work reliably. Stick with standard alkaline CR2032 batteries for best results.
Why does the battery percentage sometimes jump down suddenly?
Battery readings can appear to drop sharply if the AirTag has been offline for a while and then reconnects with a lower actual charge than the last recorded reading. This is not a malfunction — it straightforward means the battery drained more than the app's last update showed. The new percentage is accurate once displayed.