How to Change AirTag Battery in 5 Easy Steps
If your AirTag is showing a low-battery warning, you do not need to replace the entire tracker. The AirTag battery is user-replaceable, and changing it takes only a few minutes.
Apple’s AirTag uses a CR2032 3V lithium coin-cell battery. The replacement process involves opening the stainless-steel cover, removing the old battery, inserting the new one with the positive side facing up, and securing the cover again. Apple also confirms that both the original AirTag and the second-generation AirTag use a user-replaceable CR2032 coin-cell battery.
This guide explains exactly how to change an AirTag battery in five straightforward steps. It also covers how to check the battery level, choose a suitable replacement, troubleshoot a battery that does not seem to work, and safely handle the old coin cell.
4. Key Takeaways
- AirTag uses a CR2032 3V lithium coin-cell battery that can be replaced by the user.
- You do not need a screwdriver or other special tool to replace the battery.
- The new battery should be installed with the positive (+) side facing up.
- A sound from the AirTag indicates that the new battery has connected.
- The Find My app can show when an AirTag has a low battery.
- Keep new and used coin-cell batteries away from children because they can pose a serious ingestion hazard.
5. Main Article
How to Change AirTag Battery in 5 Easy Steps
Replacing an AirTag battery is a simple maintenance task. The battery compartment is built into the back of the AirTag, and the stainless-steel cover twists off without requiring a tool.
Before starting, have a new CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery ready. Apple identifies the CR2032 as the replacement battery for AirTag.
What You Need
You only need:
- Your AirTag
- One new CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery
- A clean, dry surface
No screwdriver is required.
Step 1: Confirm That the AirTag Battery Is Low
Before opening your AirTag, check whether the battery actually needs replacement.
On an iPhone, open the Find My app and select the Items tab. Tap the AirTag you want to check. When the battery is low, Find My displays a low-battery message below the AirTag’s name. Apple also notes that the iPhone can display a notification when an AirTag battery is running low.
This check can help prevent replacing a battery unnecessarily.
Signs You May Need a New Battery
A replacement may be appropriate if:
- Find My reports a low battery.
- Your iPhone displays a low-battery notification.
- The AirTag no longer responds as expected because its battery has become depleted.
- You have confirmed that the problem is not related to connectivity or the Find My app.
If you have just received a low-battery warning, there is usually no need to reset or remove the AirTag from your Apple Account. Replacing the battery is a separate maintenance procedure.
Step 2: Open the AirTag Cover
Hold the AirTag with the polished stainless-steel side facing you.
Place your fingers over the metal battery cover and press down firmly. While maintaining pressure, rotate the cover counterclockwise until it stops.
The cover is designed to lock into place using tabs and slots. Pressing down while turning releases that mechanism.
Once the cover stops rotating, lift it away from the AirTag.
Apple’s official replacement procedure specifically calls for pressing the polished stainless-steel battery cover down and rotating it counterclockwise until it stops.
If the Cover Is Difficult to Turn
A new or tightly secured AirTag cover can sometimes require a little more grip.
Try these steps:
- Make sure your hands and the AirTag are dry.
- Press down firmly on the metal cover.
- Rotate counterclockwise rather than clockwise.
- Avoid using sharp objects to pry the cover open.
- Do not force the cover with excessive pressure.
The cover should release through its normal locking mechanism. Using a tool to pry it open could damage the AirTag.
Step 3: Remove the Old AirTag Battery
After removing the cover, take out the old CR2032 battery.
The battery sits inside the AirTag’s circular compartment. Carefully remove it and set it aside for proper battery recycling or disposal.
Take note of the battery’s orientation before installing the replacement. The new CR2032 should be inserted with its positive (+) side facing upward.
Handle the Old Battery Carefully
CR2032 batteries are small coin cells. They should not be left where children or pets can access them.
Apple specifically warns that AirTag batteries can present a serious hazard if swallowed. Keep both new and used batteries out of the reach of children.
Do not throw a loose coin cell into a place where someone could accidentally pick it up or swallow it. Follow local battery-recycling or disposal guidance where available.
Step 4: Insert the New CR2032 Battery
Take the new CR2032 lithium 3V battery and place it inside the AirTag.
Make sure the positive (+) side faces upward.
When the battery is correctly connected, the AirTag should produce a sound. Apple describes this sound as an indication that the battery has been connected.
If you hear the sound, that is a useful confirmation that the AirTag has detected the replacement battery.
Which AirTag Battery Should You Buy?
The important specification is:
| Battery requirement | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Battery type | CR2032 |
| Chemistry | Lithium |
| Voltage | 3V |
| Shape | Coin cell |
| Quantity | One battery per AirTag |
Apple also recommends looking for CR2032 batteries whose packaging indicates compatibility with AirTag. Some CR2032 batteries use a bitterant coating designed to discourage accidental ingestion, but Apple notes that certain bitterant-coated CR2032 batteries may not work with AirTag or other battery-powered products.
For that reason, if a particular replacement does not work, checking the battery packaging and trying a compatible CR2032 from another manufacturer can be a sensible troubleshooting step.
Step 5: Replace and Lock the AirTag Cover
Once the new battery is installed, place the stainless-steel cover back onto the AirTag.
The cover has three tabs, and the AirTag has three corresponding slots. Align the tabs with the slots before pressing the cover down.
Then press the cover down and rotate it clockwise until it stops.
The cover should sit securely and flush against the AirTag.
Your battery replacement is now complete.
How to Check Whether the New Battery Is Working
After replacing the battery, open the Find My app on your iPhone.
Go to:
Find My → Items → Your AirTag
Check the AirTag’s information to confirm that the low-battery warning is no longer displayed.
You can also verify that the AirTag is communicating normally with your device. If the AirTag produced a sound immediately after the battery was installed, that is a good indication that the battery made electrical contact.
What If the AirTag Battery Does Not Work?
Sometimes a replacement battery may not appear to work immediately. Before assuming the AirTag itself is faulty, check the basic installation points.
Check the Battery Orientation
Remove the cover again and verify that the positive side of the CR2032 is facing upward.
Incorrect orientation can prevent the AirTag from operating.
Check the Battery Type
Make sure the replacement is actually a CR2032 lithium 3V coin cell.
Do not assume that every coin-shaped battery is interchangeable. The battery specification matters.
Try Another Compatible CR2032
If the first replacement does not work, the battery itself could be defective, depleted, or incompatible.
Try another new CR2032 battery that is suitable for AirTag.
This is particularly relevant when using bitterant-coated CR2032 batteries because Apple notes that some such batteries may not work with AirTag.
Recheck the Cover
Make sure the three tabs on the cover are correctly aligned with the three slots on the AirTag.
The cover must be properly seated and rotated clockwise until it stops.
Check Find My Again
After reinstalling the battery and cover, return to the Find My app and check the AirTag again.
If the low-battery status remains temporarily, give the device a moment to update before assuming the replacement failed.
Do You Need to Reset the AirTag After Changing the Battery?
Normally, no.
Changing the battery is a physical maintenance procedure and does not require you to reset or re-pair the AirTag simply because you installed a new battery.
The important steps are to install the correct battery, orient it correctly, confirm the connection, and secure the cover.
If you are experiencing a separate pairing or tracking problem, that is a different issue from replacing the battery.
AirTag Battery Safety
A CR2032 is small enough to be swallowed, which makes safe handling especially important around children.
Apple warns that coin-cell batteries can cause serious injury if swallowed and advises keeping new and used batteries out of children’s reach.
Follow these basic precautions:
- Keep replacement batteries in their original packaging until needed.
- Store unused batteries away from children.
- Never leave a removed battery unattended.
- Dispose of used batteries through an appropriate recycling or disposal route.
- Do not allow children to handle an exposed AirTag battery.
- If a coin-cell battery may have been swallowed, seek immediate medical attention.
AirTag itself, its battery cover, and its battery can also present a choking hazard to young children, so the entire device should be kept out of their reach.
AirTag Battery Replacement: Original vs. Second Generation
Apple introduced the original AirTag in 2021 and later introduced the second-generation AirTag in 2026. Both use a user-replaceable CR2032 coin-cell battery.
The fundamental battery-replacement process is therefore straightforward: open the cover, remove the old CR2032, install the new one with the positive side up, and secure the cover.
If you are unsure which generation you own, Apple provides ways to identify an AirTag’s model number through Find My or by looking under the battery. The original AirTag has model number A2187, while the second-generation AirTag has model number A2937.
How Often Should You Change an AirTag Battery?
There is no single replacement schedule that applies to every AirTag.
Battery life depends on factors such as usage, environmental conditions, and the replacement battery manufacturer. Apple’s technical specifications specifically note that actual battery life varies with usage and other conditions.
Rather than replacing the battery on a fixed calendar schedule, use the low-battery notification or Find My as your practical indicator.
This approach avoids replacing a battery that still has useful charge.
Does Replacing the Battery Affect AirTag Tracking?
Replacing the battery itself does not mean you need to set up the AirTag again.
Once a compatible battery is correctly installed and the cover is secured, the AirTag can continue operating as before.
If tracking does not resume normally, first check the battery orientation, battery type, and cover installation. If those are correct and the AirTag still does not function, the issue may require further troubleshooting.
A Quick Five-Step Summary
For readers who simply need the procedure, here is the complete process at a glance:
- Check the battery: Open Find My, select Items, and check the AirTag for a low-battery warning.
- Open the cover: Press down on the stainless-steel cover and rotate it counterclockwise.
- Remove the old battery: Take out the existing CR2032 coin cell.
- Install the new battery: Insert a CR2032 lithium 3V battery with the positive side facing up. Listen for the connection sound.
- Close the AirTag: Align the three cover tabs with the three slots, press down, and rotate clockwise until the cover stops.
The whole procedure is designed to be simple enough to perform without specialist tools.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
What battery does an AirTag use?
AirTag uses a CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery. Apple lists the CR2032 as a user-replaceable battery for AirTag, including the second-generation model.
How do I know when my AirTag battery is low?
Your iPhone can display a low-battery notification. You can also open Find My, select Items, choose the AirTag, and check whether a low-battery message appears.
Do I need a tool to change an AirTag battery?
No. The AirTag battery cover is designed to be opened by pressing down on the stainless-steel cover and rotating it counterclockwise.
Which way does the AirTag battery go?
Install the new CR2032 with the positive (+) side facing upward. A sound should indicate that the battery has connected.
What if my new AirTag battery does not work?
First check that the battery is a CR2032 lithium 3V cell and that the positive side is facing up. If necessary, try another compatible CR2032 battery and make sure the cover is correctly aligned and secured.
Does an AirTag need to be reset after changing its battery?
No. Replacing the battery does not normally require resetting or re-pairing the AirTag. If you experience tracking or connection problems afterward, troubleshoot those issues separately.
Can I use any CR2032 battery in an AirTag?
The required battery specification is CR2032 lithium 3V. Apple recommends checking packaging for AirTag compatibility and notes that some bitterant-coated CR2032 batteries may not work with AirTag.
Is an AirTag battery dangerous for children?
Yes. Coin-cell batteries can pose a serious ingestion hazard. Keep new and used batteries, as well as the AirTag and its cover, away from young children.
7. Conclusion
Changing an AirTag battery is a straightforward task that usually takes only a few minutes. You do not need specialist tools or technical experience.
The key points are simple: check the battery status in Find My, open the stainless-steel cover by pressing and turning it counterclockwise, remove the old CR2032, install a new CR2032 with the positive side facing up, and secure the cover by rotating it clockwise.
If the AirTag does not respond after the replacement, check the battery type and orientation first, then make sure the cover is properly aligned. Choosing a compatible CR2032 and handling the old battery safely will help keep the process simple and reliable.
With these steps, replacing a depleted AirTag battery is routine maintenance rather than a reason to replace the tracker itself.
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