Your AirTag shows battery status in the Find My app — check there first

Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap the Items tab at the bottom. Select your AirTag from the list. At the top of the screen, you will see a battery icon and a percentage. If the battery is below 10 percent, the icon turns red and the percentage appears in red text. That is your signal to replace the battery soon.

The percentage updates when your AirTag connects to a nearby Apple device on the Find My network. If you have not opened Find My in a few days, the battery reading may be slightly behind the actual level, but it will refresh the next time your AirTag communicates with the network.

Key Takeaways

  • The Find My app shows your AirTag's battery percentage in red when it drops below 10 percent.
  • A low battery notification appears on your iPhone lock screen and in the Notifications tab of Find My.
  • AirTag batteries last roughly one year of normal use before they need replacement.
  • You can replace the battery yourself with a standard CR2032 coin cell battery available at any pharmacy or electronics store.

Notifications alert you when the battery gets low

When your AirTag battery drops below 10 percent, your iPhone sends you a notification. This notification appears on your lock screen and in the Notifications tab within the Find My app. The message reads something like "AirTag battery low" and includes the name of the AirTag.

If you have multiple AirTags, each one sends its own notification when its battery reaches that threshold. You can dismiss the notification, but the battery status remains visible in the Find My app until you replace the battery.

The battery icon changes color as it drains

In the Find My app, the battery icon next to your AirTag's name shifts from green (full) to yellow (medium) to red (low). The color change happens gradually as the battery drains. Once the icon turns red, you have roughly one to two weeks of normal use left before the AirTag stops working.

The exact time depends on how often your AirTag connects to the Find My network. An AirTag in a frequently-used bag or on a keychain will drain faster than one that sits in a drawer, because network connections use power.

How long AirTag batteries typically last

A new CR2032 battery in an AirTag lasts roughly one year under normal use. Normal use means the AirTag is in a bag or on a keychain and connects to the Find My network several times per day. If your AirTag sits unused in a drawer, the battery will last longer. If you use Find My to play a sound on your AirTag frequently, the battery will drain faster.

Apple does not publish exact battery life figures because it depends on your usage pattern. The company straightforward states that a single battery lasts about one year. Once you see the red battery icon, plan to replace it within the next week or two.

Replacing the battery yourself

You do not need to visit an Apple Store or send your AirTag anywhere. The battery is user-replaceable. Press down on the stainless steel back of the AirTag and twist counterclockwise until the white plastic battery cover pops out. Remove the old CR2032 battery and insert a new one with the positive side facing up. Snap the cover back on and twist clockwise until it clicks.

CR2032 batteries cost between $3 and $8 for a pack of two or four. You can find them at pharmacies, grocery stores, electronics retailers, and online. Any CR2032 battery works — you do not need an Apple-branded one. After you install the new battery, the Find My app will show 100 percent within a few minutes.

What to do if your AirTag stops responding

If your AirTag battery dies completely, it stops sending location data and will not respond to Find My requests. The app will show "No location found" or "Not reachable" instead of a battery percentage. At that point, the battery is completely drained and needs when ready replacement.

Even a completely dead AirTag can be revived by installing a fresh battery. Once you replace it, the AirTag will reconnect to the Find My network within minutes and resume normal operation. You do not lose any settings or pairing information when the battery dies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the battery percentage on my Apple Watch?

No. The Find My app on Apple Watch shows whether your AirTag is reachable or not, but does not display the battery percentage. You must check the battery level on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the Find My app.

Does the battery drain faster if I use Find My to play a sound?

Yes. Playing a sound on your AirTag uses more power than normal network connections. If you play sounds frequently, the battery will drain noticeably faster than the typical one-year estimate. Limit sound playback to when you actually need to locate your AirTag.

What happens if I ignore the low battery notification?

Your AirTag will continue to work for a few more days or weeks, depending on usage. Eventually the battery will die completely and the AirTag will stop communicating with the Find My network. At that point, you cannot locate it until you replace the battery.

Are there rechargeable batteries I can use instead of CR2032?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but Apple does not recommend them. Rechargeable versions have different voltage characteristics and may not power your AirTag reliably. Stick with standard single-use CR2032 batteries for consistent performance.