Your AirTag tells you its battery status 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. Find your AirTag in the list and tap it. At the top of the screen, you will see a battery icon and a percentage. A full battery shows 100%. When the battery drops to around 10%, the icon turns yellow and displays a low battery warning.

The battery percentage updates when your AirTag connects to a nearby Apple device. If you have not opened Find My in a while, the reading may be a few days old. The app will show you the last time the battery status was checked, listed as "Updated" with a date and time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Find My app shows your AirTag's battery percentage in the Items tab — tap your AirTag to see the exact number.
  • A yellow battery icon appears when the battery falls to around 10%, signaling that replacement is coming soon.
  • The battery reading updates only when your AirTag connects to a nearby Apple device, so the percentage may be a few days old.
  • AirTag batteries last roughly one year of normal use before needing replacement.
  • You will receive a notification on your iPhone when the battery is low, though the Find My app is the most reliable way to check.

What happens when the battery gets very low

When your AirTag battery drops below 10%, you will see a notification on your iPhone that says "AirTag Battery Low." This alert appears on your lock screen or in the Notification Center. However, the notification does not always arrive right away — it depends on when your AirTag last connected to an Apple device in your area.

Even with a very low battery, your AirTag will continue to work for a short time. It can still be found through the Find My app and will still send its location to Apple's network. The device does not stop working the moment the battery hits 10%; it gradually becomes less reliable as the battery drains further.

How to replace the AirTag battery

AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, the same type found in watches, calculators, and hearing aids. You can buy these batteries at any pharmacy, supermarket, or electronics store for a few dollars. To replace it, hold the stainless steel back of the AirTag and twist the white plastic battery cover counterclockwise until it comes loose. Drop out the old battery and insert the new one with the positive side facing up. Twist the cover back on clockwise until it clicks.

After you install a new battery, the Find My app will update within a few minutes and show 100% again. You do not need to re-pair the AirTag or do anything else — it picks up where it left off. If the battery percentage does not update after 10 minutes, try opening Find My again or moving your AirTag closer to an iPhone or iPad.

How long an AirTag battery lasts

A new CR2032 battery in an AirTag typically lasts about one year under normal use. "Normal use" means the AirTag is in a wallet, on a keychain, or attached to a bag and is being carried around regularly. If your AirTag sits in a drawer at home most of the time, the battery may last longer because it is not constantly broadcasting its location.

The battery drains faster if your AirTag is in a place with poor cellular coverage or far from other Apple devices. In those situations, the AirTag works harder to find a connection and uses more power. Extreme cold also drains batteries faster, though this is temporary — the battery recovers when it warms up.

Why the battery percentage sometimes jumps around

You may notice the battery percentage in Find My changes by a few points from one day to the next, or even stays the same for weeks. This happens because the reading is not live — it only updates when your AirTag connects to an Apple device and reports its status. If your AirTag is in your pocket and you are around iPhones all day, the percentage updates frequently. If it is in a car parked in a garage, it may not connect for days.

The battery itself is draining steadily, but you only see the number change when the AirTag has a chance to report in. This is why the Find My app shows you the date and time of the last update. If you want a current reading, move your AirTag closer to an iPhone or iPad and open Find My again in a few minutes.

What to do if you cannot see the battery percentage

If the battery percentage does not appear in Find My, the AirTag may have lost connection to Apple's network. This can happen if the battery is extremely low or if the AirTag has not been near any Apple device for a long time. Try moving the AirTag to a location where you know there are iPhones or iPads nearby — a coffee shop, office, or busy street — and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect.

If the percentage still does not show up after moving locations, the battery is likely dead or nearly dead. In that case, replace the battery as described above. After you install a new battery, the AirTag will reconnect within a few minutes and the percentage will appear in Find My.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my AirTag stop working when ready when the battery dies?

No. Your AirTag will stop reporting its location to Find My once the battery is completely dead, but it does not fail suddenly. As the battery drains, the AirTag becomes less responsive and may take longer to connect. Once it is fully drained, you will not be able to find it through the app.

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

You should use a CR2032 battery, which is what Apple designed the AirTag for. Other coin cell batteries may fit physically but could damage the device or work poorly. CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and widely available, so there is no reason to substitute.

Does the Find My app show battery for AirTags on other people's accounts?

No. You can only see the battery percentage for AirTags that belong to your own Apple ID. If someone else owns the AirTag, you cannot view its battery status through Find My, even if you can see its location.

What if the battery percentage shows 0% but the AirTag still works?

A reading of 0% means the battery is critically low and may fail at any moment. Replace it right away. The AirTag may still connect occasionally, but it is unreliable and could stop working without warning.