An AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery

Your AirTag runs on a single CR2032 battery, a flat, round coin-shaped cell about the size of a dime. This is one of the most common battery types you can find—drugstores, supermarkets, and hardware stores all stock them. You do not need any special tools or technical knowledge to swap it out.

Apple rates the battery to last roughly one year under normal use, though the actual lifespan depends on how often your AirTag sends location updates. If you use it to track something you check on frequently, the battery will drain faster than if it sits in a drawer most of the time.

When the battery runs low, your iPhone will send you a notification. At that point, you have a window of a few weeks before the AirTag stops working entirely, so you do not need to panic and replace it when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags use CR2032 coin cell batteries, which are sold at most retailers for a few dollars.
  • Battery life is typically one year, but varies based on how often the AirTag transmits location data.
  • Your iPhone alerts you when the battery is low, giving you time to replace it before the tracker stops working.
  • Replacing the battery takes less than a minute and requires no tools—just twist the back cover and swap the old cell for a new one.
  • CR2032 batteries are not rechargeable, so you will need to buy a new one each time the old one drains.

How to replace the battery yourself

Open the AirTag by twisting the stainless steel back cover counterclockwise until it comes loose. The cover will pop off in your hand, and you will see the battery sitting in a small metal holder in the center.

Lift the old CR2032 battery straight up and out of the holder. Drop the new CR2032 battery into the same spot with the positive side (marked with a plus sign) facing up. Twist the cover back on clockwise until it clicks and sits flush with the rest of the AirTag.

Your iPhone should recognize the new battery within a few seconds. If your AirTag was showing as offline, it will come back online once the fresh battery is in place. There is no pairing process or setup required—the battery swap is complete.

Where to buy CR2032 batteries

CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and widely available. You can find them at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, grocery stores with pharmacy sections, hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, and online retailers including Amazon. A single battery typically costs between $2 and $5, though buying a pack of four or eight brings the per-battery cost down.

Check the packaging to make sure you are buying CR2032 and not a similar-looking battery like CR2025 or CR2016. The numbers matter—they refer to the battery's dimensions, and only CR2032 will fit your AirTag correctly. If you accidentally buy the wrong size, it will not sit properly in the holder and the cover will not close.

Signs your AirTag battery is failing

Your iPhone sends a notification when the battery drops to about 10 percent capacity. This is the clearest signal that a replacement is due soon. You may also notice that your AirTag takes longer to update its location or stops showing up in the Find My app for brief periods.

If the battery is completely dead, the AirTag will appear offline in Find My and will not respond to the speaker or location requests. At this point, replacing the battery is the only way to bring it back to life. A dead AirTag is not broken—it just needs power.

Battery life and what affects it

Apple's one-year estimate assumes average use: checking the location of your AirTag a few times a week and letting it sit otherwise. If you use Find My constantly or have set up notifications for when the AirTag arrives or leaves a location, the battery will drain faster. Conversely, if you attach an AirTag to something you rarely look for, the battery may last longer than a year.

Temperature also plays a small role. Extreme cold can temporarily reduce battery performance, though the battery will recover once it warms up. Extreme heat can shorten overall battery life, but normal indoor and outdoor conditions do not significantly impact the CR2032.

Why AirTag does not use rechargeable batteries

Apple chose a disposable CR2032 over a rechargeable battery to keep the AirTag thin, light, and affordable. A rechargeable cell would require a charging port or wireless charging coil, both of which would add bulk and cost. The CR2032 approach also means you never have to remember to charge your AirTag—you just swap the battery once a year and move on.

The trade-off is that you will buy new batteries over time. For most people, the simplicity and low cost of CR2032 cells make this a reasonable choice. If you use multiple AirTags, buying batteries in bulk reduces the per-unit cost and means you always have spares on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any CR2032 battery, or does it have to be a specific brand?

Any CR2032 will work in your AirTag. Brand does not matter—Energizer, Duracell, Amazon Basics, and store-brand batteries all perform the same. Buy whatever is cheapest or most convenient. The only thing that matters is that it is a CR2032 and not a different size.

What happens if I put the battery in backwards?

The battery will not make contact with the metal holder if you insert it upside down, so the AirTag straightforward will not turn on. You will not damage anything. Just open the cover again, flip the battery so the plus sign faces up, and close it. The AirTag will work when ready.

Do I need to remove my AirTag from Find My before replacing the battery?

No. Just swap the battery and close the cover. Your iPhone will recognize the new battery within seconds and the AirTag will stay paired to your account. There is no unpairing or re-pairing step required.

How long does a CR2032 battery last if the AirTag is turned off?

AirTags do not have an on/off switch, so the battery will drain even if you are not using Find My. However, a completely unused AirTag will last significantly longer than one year because it is not transmitting location data. If you store an AirTag for months without using it, expect the battery to still have charge when you need it again.