AirTags don't have a charging port — you replace the battery instead

Apple AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that lasts about one year of normal use. When the battery dies, you don't plug anything in or use a charger. Instead, you open the back of the AirTag and swap out the old battery for a new one, which takes about 30 seconds.

The CR2032 is the same battery type used in watches, calculators, and car key fobs. You can buy them at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer for $3 to $8 for a pack of several. Apple sells them too, but the price is higher than buying them elsewhere.

Your iPhone will warn you when the battery is running low — you'll see a notification in the Find My app saying the AirTag's battery is low. At that point, you have a few weeks before it stops working completely, so you don't need to rush.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags use a CR2032 coin cell battery that you replace by hand, not a rechargeable battery you plug in.
  • Your iPhone sends you a notification through the Find My app when the battery is low, giving you time to buy a replacement.
  • A CR2032 battery costs $3 to $8 for a multi-pack at pharmacies, grocery stores, or online, and lasts about one year.
  • Opening the AirTag and swapping the battery takes less than a minute and requires no tools.

How to open your AirTag and replace the battery

Hold the AirTag with the white plastic side facing up. Press down on the stainless steel back cover and twist it counterclockwise about a quarter turn — you'll feel it loosen. Lift the cover off and set it aside.

The old CR2032 battery will be sitting in the plastic holder with the positive side (marked with a + symbol) facing up. Lift it out and drop in the new battery with the positive side facing up as well. The battery should sit flat in the holder without any force.

Press the steel cover back on and twist it clockwise until it clicks and stops. You'll hear or feel a small click when it's seated correctly. Your AirTag will beep once to confirm the battery is installed and working.

If your AirTag doesn't beep, the battery may be installed upside down. Open it again and flip the battery so the + symbol faces up, then close it and listen for the beep.

Where to buy CR2032 batteries

Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens stock CR2032 batteries in the watch and battery section, usually near the checkout area or in the health and beauty aisles. Grocery stores like Walmart and Target carry them in the same sections. A pack of two to four batteries typically costs $4 to $6.

Online retailers like Amazon sell larger multi-packs — often 10 or 20 batteries — for $5 to $10 total, which works out cheaper per battery if you have multiple devices that use them. Shipping takes one to two days with Prime, or longer with standard shipping.

Apple's website sells CR2032 batteries, but the price is usually $10 to $15 per battery, making them the most expensive option. Buy them from Apple only if you need one when ready and can't reach another retailer.

How long a CR2032 battery lasts

A new CR2032 battery in an AirTag lasts about one year under normal use. "Normal use" means the AirTag is in your bag, on your keys, or attached to an item you carry regularly — not constantly searching for it or checking its location every few minutes.

Heavy use — checking the Find My app multiple times a day, playing sounds to locate the AirTag, or using it to track something you move around constantly — can shorten battery life to 6 to 9 months. Light use, where you check the app once a week or less, may stretch it to 14 to 16 months.

The Find My app will start warning you when the battery has about 2 to 3 weeks of life left. Once you see the low battery notification, you have time to order a replacement online or pick one up at a store before the AirTag stops working.

What happens when the battery dies

When a CR2032 battery fully dies, the AirTag stops sending location data to your iPhone and stops responding to sound commands. You won't be able to see its location in Find My, and playing a sound to locate it won't work. The AirTag is not broken — it straightforward has no power.

If you've lost an item with a dead AirTag attached, you can't use Find My to locate it. This is why it's important to replace the battery as soon as you see the low battery warning, rather than waiting until it dies completely.

Once you install a new battery and hear the beep, the AirTag will reconnect to Find My within a few seconds and resume normal operation. Your location history and any notes you've added to that AirTag stay the same.

Tips for keeping your AirTag battery healthy

Store spare CR2032 batteries in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Batteries stored in extreme temperatures or humid environments can lose charge faster or fail prematurely. A kitchen drawer or closet works well; avoid leaving them in a hot car or damp bathroom.

Check the expiration date on the battery package before buying. Most CR2032 batteries have a shelf life of 5 to 10 years, but older stock may have been sitting on shelves longer. Pharmacies and grocery stores rotate stock regularly, so batteries there are usually fresher than those in clearance bins.

If you have multiple AirTags, consider buying a multi-pack of batteries and replacing all of them at once, rather than replacing them one at a time as each one dies. This way you always have spares on hand and won't be caught without a working AirTag when one battery dies unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recharge a CR2032 battery instead of replacing it?

No. CR2032 batteries are single-use and cannot be recharged. Attempting to recharge them can damage the battery and create a safety hazard. Always replace the battery with a new one rather than trying to recharge it.

What if I put the battery in upside down?

The AirTag won't beep and won't work. Open it again and flip the battery so the + symbol faces up. The positive side must face upward for the battery to make contact with the metal springs inside the AirTag.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive CR2032 batteries?

Brand-name batteries like Energizer and Duracell tend to last slightly longer and hold their charge better in storage than generic or off-brand batteries. For AirTags, the difference is usually small — a few weeks at most. Buy whichever is available and affordable; both will work.

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in my AirTag?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but they have lower voltage than standard batteries and may not work reliably in AirTags. Stick with standard single-use CR2032 batteries for the best results. If you want to avoid buying batteries repeatedly, consider using a rechargeable battery in other devices instead.