Your AirTag is probably too far from your iPhone, or Bluetooth is turned off

An AirTag that won't connect usually means one of three things: Bluetooth is disabled on your iPhone, the AirTag is out of range, or the battery is dead. Start by checking that Bluetooth is on in your iPhone's Settings app under Bluetooth — the toggle should be blue and switched to the right. Then make sure you're within about 30 feet of the AirTag. If both of those are true and it still won't connect, replace the battery in the AirTag (a CR2032 coin cell, available at any drugstore for a few dollars) and try again.

If the AirTag still doesn't show up after those steps, the device itself may be damaged or defective. AirTags are small and durable, but they can fail if they've been dropped hard or exposed to water for a long time. Before you assume it's broken, try connecting it to someone else's iPhone — if it connects to their phone but not yours, the problem is with your phone's Bluetooth hardware or settings, not the tag.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your iPhone Settings and that you're within 30 feet of the AirTag before troubleshooting anything else.
  • A dead battery is the most common reason an AirTag stops connecting; replace the CR2032 coin cell battery and try again.
  • If the AirTag connects to someone else's iPhone but not yours, the issue is with your phone's Bluetooth, not the tag.
  • Forget the AirTag from your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and set it up again from scratch if basic troubleshooting doesn't work.
  • AirTags work only with iPhones, iPads, and Macs running recent versions of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS — older devices cannot connect.

Check your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and restart both devices

Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, and confirm the toggle is on. Look at the list of devices below — if you see your AirTag listed there but it says "Not Connected" or shows a warning icon, tap the information icon next to it and select "Forget This Device." Then hold your AirTag near your iPhone and wait for the setup screen to appear. If no setup screen appears, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, then try again.

Restarting clears temporary glitches that prevent Bluetooth from working properly. After your iPhone restarts, go back to Settings > Bluetooth and look for your AirTag in the list of available devices. If you see it, tap it to connect. If you don't see it, the AirTag's battery may be dead or the device may not be broadcasting a signal.

Replace the battery and check for water damage

The CR2032 battery inside an AirTag lasts about a year with normal use. When it dies, the AirTag stops broadcasting and your iPhone can't find it. To replace it, press down on the stainless steel back of the AirTag and twist counterclockwise until the white plastic disc pops out. Remove the old battery, slide a new CR2032 in with the positive side facing up, and twist the back on until it clicks.

While the AirTag is open, look at the battery compartment for signs of corrosion — white or green crusty buildup around the contacts. If you see corrosion, the AirTag has been exposed to moisture and the battery contacts may not work even with a fresh battery. Corrosion usually means the AirTag is no longer repairable. If the compartment looks clean and dry, put the new battery in and try connecting again.

Make sure your iPhone runs a recent version of iOS

AirTags require iOS 14.3 or later on your iPhone. If your phone is running an older version, it won't recognize the AirTag at all. Check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the "Software Version" line. If it shows anything lower than 14.3, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version available for your phone.

Older iPhones — those from 2015 or earlier — cannot run iOS 14.3 or later, so they cannot connect to AirTags. If you have an iPhone 6s or older, an AirTag will not work with your device. iPads and Macs can also connect to AirTags, but they need iPadOS 14.3 or macOS 11.3 or later.

Reset the AirTag if it's still not connecting

If you've replaced the battery, restarted your iPhone, and confirmed Bluetooth is on, but the AirTag still won't connect, try a factory reset. Remove the battery from the AirTag, wait 5 seconds, and put it back in. You should hear a sound and see a green light flash. Hold the AirTag near your iPhone and wait for the setup screen to appear — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.

If the setup screen still doesn't appear after a reset, the AirTag may have a hardware problem. Contact Apple Support with the serial number of your AirTag (printed on the back) and information about when you bought it. If you're still within the one-year warranty period, Apple may replace it at no cost.

Understand what "connected" means for an AirTag

Connected for an AirTag is different from connected for other Bluetooth devices. When you first set up an AirTag, your iPhone pairs with it and stores its identity. After that, the AirTag doesn't need to stay actively connected to your iPhone the way a Bluetooth speaker does. Instead, it broadcasts a signal that any nearby Apple device can pick up and relay to iCloud, so you can find it even if it's not near your own phone.

This means you might see your AirTag listed in Bluetooth settings as "Not Connected" even though it's working fine. What matters is whether the AirTag appears in the Find My app and shows a location. If it shows up in Find My but not in Bluetooth settings, the AirTag is working correctly. If it doesn't show up in Find My at all, then you have a real connection problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an AirTag with an Android phone?

No. AirTags work only with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Android phones cannot connect to or track AirTags. If you use Android, you'll need a different tracking device designed for that platform, such as a Tile or Samsung SmartTag.

Why does my AirTag show in Find My but not in Bluetooth settings?

That's normal. An AirTag doesn't need to stay actively paired with your iPhone to work. As long as it shows up in the Find My app and displays a location, it's connected and functioning properly. The Bluetooth settings list shows only devices that are currently paired and actively communicating.

What if I lost the AirTag and can't replace the battery?

If you can't locate the AirTag to replace its battery, you can remove it from your account in the Find My app. Open Find My, go to the Items tab, tap the AirTag, scroll down, and tap "Remove Item." This stops it from showing up in your account and prevents someone else from tracking it.

Does my AirTag need to connect to WiFi?

No. AirTags use Bluetooth to communicate with your iPhone and other nearby Apple devices. They don't connect to WiFi. As long as Bluetooth is on and there's an Apple device nearby, the AirTag can relay its location to iCloud.