AirTags use a standard coin-cell battery you replace yourself, not a rechargeable battery you plug in
Apple AirTags do not charge. They run on a single CR2032 coin-cell battery — the same flat, round battery used in watches, calculators, and car key fobs. When the battery runs out, you open the AirTag, remove the old battery, and drop in a new one. The whole process takes about 30 seconds and costs between $3 and $8 for a replacement battery.
This design choice matters because it means you will never plug an AirTag into power, never wait for it to charge, and never deal with a dead AirTag that cannot be revived without a charger. The trade-off is that you need to buy and replace batteries periodically — typically once a year, depending on how often the AirTag sends location updates.
Key Takeaways
- AirTags use a CR2032 coin-cell battery that you replace by hand, not a rechargeable battery.
- A fresh CR2032 battery lasts about one year in an AirTag under normal use.
- You can buy CR2032 batteries at pharmacies, grocery stores, electronics retailers, and online for $3 to $8 per battery.
- Your iPhone will send you a notification when the AirTag battery is running low, giving you time to replace it before it dies.
How to replace the battery in your AirTag
Start by holding the AirTag with the polished stainless steel side facing up. Locate the seam around the edge where the two halves meet. Press down on the steel back with your thumb and twist counterclockwise — you will feel it loosen after a quarter turn. The back will pop off, and you can set it aside.
Inside, you will see the CR2032 battery sitting in a small metal holder with a white plastic tab sticking out. Grab that tab and pull it straight toward you. The battery will come out. Drop the new CR2032 battery into the holder with the positive side (the shiny side with the + symbol) facing up. The battery will click into place.
Now press the steel back onto the AirTag and twist clockwise until it stops. You will hear a click when it seats properly. Your iPhone will recognize the new battery within a few seconds, and the low-battery notification will disappear from the Find My app.
Where to buy CR2032 batteries
CR2032 batteries are one of the most common battery types in the world, so you have many options. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stock them in the health and beauty section near hearing aid batteries. Grocery stores usually carry them near the checkout or in the pharmacy section. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart all sell them in the electronics or battery aisle.
Online, Amazon, eBay, and the official Apple Store all sell CR2032 batteries. A single battery costs $3 to $8 depending on the brand and retailer. Buying a multipack of 5 or 10 batteries usually brings the per-battery cost down to $2 to $4. Store brands work just as well as name brands like Energizer or Duracell.
How long a CR2032 battery lasts in an AirTag
Apple states that a CR2032 battery lasts about one year in an AirTag. This assumes normal use — meaning the AirTag is sending location updates regularly but not being pinged constantly. If you use the Find My app to locate your AirTag frequently, the battery will drain faster. If your AirTag sits in a drawer and rarely connects to nearby iPhones, it will last longer.
Your iPhone will notify you when the battery is running low, usually a few weeks before it dies completely. This gives you time to buy a replacement battery and swap it out before the AirTag stops working. You do not need to rush — the AirTag will continue to work for a while after the low-battery warning appears.
Why AirTags do not have rechargeable batteries
Apple chose a replaceable coin-cell battery over a rechargeable one for practical reasons. Rechargeable batteries are thicker and heavier, which would make AirTags bulkier. They also require a charging port or wireless charging coil, adding complexity and cost. A coin-cell battery keeps AirTags small, light, and straightforward — you can fit one in a pocket, attach it to a keychain, or slip it into a wallet without noticing it is there.
Rechargeable batteries also degrade over time and eventually stop holding a charge, forcing you to replace the entire AirTag. With a replaceable battery, you only replace the battery itself, which is cheaper and less wasteful. The downside is that you have to remember to buy and replace batteries, but most people find this easier than managing another device that needs charging.
What to do if your AirTag battery is dead
If your AirTag battery dies, the AirTag will stop sending location updates and will not appear in the Find My app. If you have already lost the item the AirTag is attached to, a dead battery means you cannot track it. However, if you still have the AirTag itself, straightforward replace the battery and it will start working again when ready.
If you are concerned about an AirTag dying while tracking something important, set a reminder on your phone about one month before the one-year mark. This gives you a buffer to replace the battery before it actually fails. You can also check the battery status in the Find My app at any time by tapping the AirTag and looking at the battery percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any CR2032 battery in my AirTag?
Yes. Any CR2032 coin-cell battery will work, regardless of brand. Energizer, Duracell, Amazon Basics, and store brands all function identically in an AirTag. The only thing that matters is that it is a CR2032 — not a CR2025 or CR2016, which are different sizes and will not fit.
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 AirTag again, flip the battery so the positive side (marked with a +) faces up, and close it. It will work when ready.
Can I recycle old CR2032 batteries?
Yes. Most pharmacies, electronics retailers, and municipal hazardous waste facilities accept used batteries for recycling. Many Best Buy locations have a battery recycling bin near the front of the store. Do not throw batteries in the trash — they contain materials that should be recovered.
Will my AirTag work if the battery is low?
Yes, it will continue to work for several weeks after the low-battery notification appears. The notification is a heads-up to replace the battery soon, not an emergency. However, once the battery is completely dead, the AirTag stops transmitting and you cannot track it until you replace the battery.
Do I need to do anything special before replacing the battery?
No. You do not need to unpair the AirTag from your iPhone or do anything in the Find My app. straightforward open the AirTag, swap the battery, close it, and you are done. Your iPhone will recognize the new battery automatically within seconds.