AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin battery that you replace yourself in about one minute

An AirTag stops working when its CR2032 battery dies, but you do not need to buy a new AirTag or visit Apple. The battery is a coin-shaped cell you can buy at any pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer for two to five dollars. Replacing it means opening the AirTag, removing the old battery, and snapping in the new one — no tools required.

Apple rates the CR2032 battery to last about one year with normal use. You will know it is time to replace when the AirTag stops responding in the Find My app, or when you open the AirTag and see a low battery warning on your iPhone or iPad.

Key Takeaways

  • AirTags use a CR2032 coin battery that costs two to five dollars and lasts about one year.
  • You can buy CR2032 batteries at pharmacies, grocery stores, supermarkets, and online without a prescription or membership.
  • To replace the battery, press the stainless steel back of the AirTag until it clicks, twist counterclockwise, and lift the white plastic ring away from the metal casing.
  • The battery sits in a small metal holder inside the AirTag — remove the old one and press the new one in with the positive side facing up.
  • After you insert the new battery, twist the white ring back clockwise until it clicks, and your AirTag will reconnect to Find My within seconds.

Where to buy a CR2032 replacement battery

A CR2032 is a common battery used in watches, calculators, car key fobs, and medical devices. You will find them in the pharmacy or health section of any drugstore — CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid — usually near the pain relievers or first aid supplies. Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods stock them in the pharmacy or health aisle. Walmart and Target carry them in the pharmacy section.

Online, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.com all sell CR2032 batteries in packs of one or more. A single battery costs between two and five dollars depending on the brand and where you buy. Duracell and Energizer are the most common brands, but any CR2032 will work in an AirTag.

Do not confuse CR2032 with other coin batteries like CR2025 or CR2016 — the numbers matter because they refer to the size and voltage. Only CR2032 fits an AirTag.

How to open an AirTag and remove the old battery

Hold the AirTag in one hand with the stainless steel back facing up. With your other hand, press down on the steel back firmly until you hear or feel a click. This click means the back has released from the plastic casing underneath.

While still pressing down, twist the steel back counterclockwise — the direction opposite a clock's hands — about a quarter turn. You do not need to twist far. Lift the steel back away from the white plastic ring underneath. The white ring will stay in your hand.

Inside the white ring, you will see a small metal battery holder with the old CR2032 battery sitting in it. The battery is a flat, silver coin about the size of a dime. Gently pry it out with your fingernail or the edge of a coin. It should come free with light pressure.

Installing the new battery

Before you insert the new battery, check which side is which. The CR2032 has a flat positive side (marked with a plus sign or just shiny) and a flat negative side (usually marked with a minus sign or duller). The positive side must face up toward the top of the AirTag.

Place the new battery into the metal holder with the positive side facing up. Press it down gently until it sits flat and snug in the holder. You should hear a small click or feel it settle into place. Do not force it — it should sit level without rocking.

Closing the AirTag and confirming the battery works

Hold the white plastic ring with the new battery inside. Align the steel back with the ring so the notches line up. Press the steel back down onto the ring and twist it clockwise — the direction a clock's hands move — until you hear a click. The click means the back is locked in place.

Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Items at the bottom, then tap the AirTag you just replaced the battery in. Within a few seconds, the app should show the AirTag as connected and the battery level as full. If it does not appear within 30 seconds, try closing and reopening the Find My app.

If the AirTag still does not show up, remove the steel back again and check that the battery is sitting flat in the holder with the positive side up. A battery inserted upside down or sitting crooked will not make contact. Reseat it and try again.

What to do with the old battery

Do not throw a used CR2032 battery in the trash. Batteries contain metals that can leak into soil and water if they end up in a landfill. Most pharmacies and grocery stores that sell batteries also accept used batteries for recycling at no cost — ask at the pharmacy counter or customer service desk.

You can also search for a battery recycling location near you at Call2Recycle.org or Earth911.org. Both sites have searchable databases of drop-off points in your area. Some workplaces and schools also have battery recycling programs.

How often you will need to replace the battery

Apple states that a CR2032 battery lasts about one year in an AirTag with normal use. How long it actually lasts depends on how often you check the AirTag's location in Find My and whether the AirTag is moving or stationary. An AirTag on your keys that you check daily will drain the battery faster than one in a drawer you check once a month.

You do not have to wait for the battery to die completely. The Find My app will show you the battery level, and you can replace it when it drops to 10 or 20 percent if you want to avoid the AirTag going offline unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 battery in an AirTag?

Rechargeable CR2032 batteries exist, but Apple does not recommend them for AirTags. Rechargeable versions have a lower voltage than standard alkaline CR2032 batteries and may not power the AirTag reliably. Stick with a standard alkaline CR2032 from a major brand.

What if my AirTag still does not work after I replace the battery?

First, remove the steel back and check that the battery is sitting flat with the positive side facing up. If it is, try a different new battery — the one you bought may be defective. If a second battery does not work, the AirTag itself may be damaged, and you would need to contact Apple or replace the AirTag.

Is there a way to make the battery last longer?

The battery life is fixed by the AirTag's design, but you can extend it slightly by checking the Find My app less often. Each time you open Find My and view the AirTag's location, it uses a small amount of battery. Checking once a week instead of daily will add a few weeks to the battery's life.

Do I need to update my iPhone after replacing the battery?

No. Once you insert the new battery and close the AirTag, it will reconnect to Find My automatically within seconds. No update or pairing is needed — the AirTag remembers your iPhone from when you first set it up.