This Apple AirTag Battery Replacement Is Only $7

Apple AirTags are a traveler’s best friend. There are countless stories of the portable GPS saving the day when a piece of luggage goes missing on a series of connecting flights. Within minutes, you can identify where your AirTag is remotely, even if it’s on the other side of the world, saving you days, even weeks’ worth of stress and anxiety.

But AirTags only work if they have enough battery power, which only lasts up to one year (a fact I learned last year while traveling in Europe). Here’s an insider tip: Instead of buying a new AirTag for $29 when the battery dies, you can simply replace the battery. But you’ll need the right type: a CR2032 3-volt lithium coin battery to be exact.

Panasonic CR2032 Apple AirTag Replacement Battery

Energizer CR2032 Lithium Coin 3 AirTag Compatible Batteries

That’s right, AirTags take these special coin batteries, commonly used in watches, calculators, and key fobs. They can save you more than $100 if you have four AirTag batteries to replace. But here’s the rub: Many CR2032 batteries come with a bitter coating to prevent ingestion. Although this is a helpful safety protocol to protect children and pets, the coating can interfere with the AirTag’s battery contact receptors and not work.

To make sure you’re buying batteries that work with AirTags, look for ones that say “compatible with Apple AirTag” on the packaging, like the Energizer CR2032 and Panasonic CR2032 battery. If you don’t, you could end up with a pack that won’t work in your AirTags.

How long does an AirTag battery last?

As we mentioned, an AirTag battery lasts about a year, but that can vary depending on how often you use your device. To help you pinpoint exactly when you’ll need to replace it, Apple will send a notification to your iPhone and warn you on the Find My app when your AirTag battery is starting to die. You can also check the battery life at any time if you’ve connected your AirTag within the app; it will show you a battery life indicator next to your AirTag’s name. 

Apple AirTag

Can I replace the AirTag battery myself?

Yes, you can change your AirTag battery on your own—and the process is simple. Apple provides helpful instructions for the swap: Just press down on the device, and rotate counterclockwise to open and expose the battery. Then, replace it with the new battery, and close it back up by twisting clockwise. Remember to responsibly dispose of your used batteries by dropping them off at your county household hazardous waste facility or a battery recycler in your area.

What kind of batteries does an AirTag use?

As stated, an AirTag uses a CR2032 3-volt lithium coin battery, but it must be one compatible with your device. Energizer CR2032 batteries specifically claim to be compatible with Apple AirTags, and they’re Amazon’s No. 1 best-seller in the category. One reviewer said these Energizer batteries saved the day when their Costco battery replacements weren’t working, adding, “I thought I would try new batteries before buying eight more AirTags; [these] saved me $180.”

Panasonic’s CR2032 batteries have positive reviews from AirTag users too, with one reviewer saying, “I bought this for my AirTag, battery works with no issues. Previous battery brands didn’t work.”

If you prefer not to buy a pack and need just one battery, this single Panasonic CR2032 comes with a bitter coating removal wipe. One reviewer raved that it “works great” and “comes with a wipe to get off the kid-safe coating so my AirTag works.”

Trust me, I made the mistake of buying a pack of Duracell batteries at my local CVS as replacements at first. I didn’t know about the bitter coating issue until I tried to use the Duracell battery, and the AirTag wouldn’t make the correct reset noise. No matter how many times I reinstalled the battery, I wasn’t getting a hard reset. That’s when I turned to the internet and discovered the solution to this common issue.

Read on for more helpful travel accessories to consider buying for your Apple AirTags, including waterproof AirTag holders and passport holders with AirTag slots that help keep track of these essentials that you can’t afford to lose.

Shop Apple AirTags and AirTag Accessories at Amazon:

Apple AirTag 4-pack

Apple AirTag Passport Holder RFID-blocking Cover Wallet

Apple AirTag Dog Collar Holder 2-pack

Elevation Lab TagVault Apple AirTag Wallet

Raptic Anti-theft Link and Lock for Apple AirTags

Apple AirTag Lock Case Keychain Set

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