In April 2021, Apple showed us once again that there is still room to invent entirely new products. Those from Cupertino presented the AirTag , a small device with a size similar to that of a coin that promised to be the definitive solution to all the clueless human beings that populate this planet. If you got one or more AirTags at that time, it is possible that one of them has already run out of battery , so it will be time to make the first change. As you can see in the following lines, the operation is simple, but you must take into account a few details so that your device continues to work correctly.
How long does an AirTag battery last?
According to official data from Apple, the battery that comes in its AirTags lasts about 12 months . As long as we use a replacement of the same quality, we will have to make an annual replacement to each and every one of the AirTags that we have at home.
Of course, this data is an estimate, and it can last you more or less months depending on other parameters such as the ambient temperature in the place where you live. The important thing here is that sooner or later, your AirTag’s battery will run out , and you’ll need to replace it. Doing it is easy, and you will not need professional help as it can happen when changing a watch battery.
What type of batteries are compatible with AirTags?
AirTags use a coin cell battery . Specifically, they use the CR2032 model , a standard within lithium batteries. This battery is one of the most used in computer motherboards, clocks, wireless buttons for home automation devices such as those from Ikea, and motion sensors.
These batteries can be purchased at virtually any electronics store, or even at the checkout counter of any supermarket. As usual, if you buy them one at a time, the price will be substantially more expensive than buying packs of several units.
What you should keep in mind before buying a battery for your AirTags
Changing the battery to an AirTag may seem quite simple —we will explain it to you below—, but there are not a few users who complain online saying that they have done the operation and have not succeeded.
Batteries are generally products with some danger. Lithium ones, for example, can explode if we try to open them. The alkalines of a lifetime can cause us enormous burns with their acid. And button ones like the CR2032 are extremely dangerous if they fall into the hands of small children, as they can put them in their mouths and choke on them. For this reason, many manufacturers cover their batteries with a very bitter product . They call it “child protection”, and the goal is that if a child puts the battery in their mouth, they will quickly spit it out due to the horrible taste.
Well, many AirTag owners followed Apple’s steps to replace the battery in their locators to the letter, only to find that they still did n’t work after replacing the coin cell battery . After a lot of debate in forums, in which there were quite a few users who had the same problem, several came to the conclusion that this bath of bitter substance prevents the AirTag from working correctly.
Since August 2021, Apple’s own official website has warned of this phenomenon:
” CR2032 batteries with a bitter coating may not work in AirTags or other battery-powered products, depending on the alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts. “.
Although Apple warns of this fact, no type of list of compatible battery models has been officially published so as not to harm any manufacturer. Therefore, you will have to check on the packaging which batteries do not have this substance to ensure that they will work in your AirTag.
Step by step: Change the battery of your AirTags
Previous step: check the AirTag charge
If you are not sure whether or not you need to change the battery, checking it is very simple. You have to do the following:
- Open the ‘ Search ‘ app on your iPhone.
- Go to the ‘ Objects ‘ tab.
- Find the AirTag you want to check and tap on it.
- Tap on the battery icon that appears below the name of the AirTag.
- Being a battery, the device will not tell us a percentage. If the voltage is enough, the battery will be fully displayed. If, on the other hand, the battery charge is low, a message will pop up warning you that you must change the device’s battery .
Replace the AirTag coin cell battery
Once you have your new battery, perform the following procedure:
- Place the AirTag on a table, steel side up .
- Press on both sides of the Apple apple logo .
- Turn counterclockwise until the cover bottoms out. If the surface slips, you can try wearing gloves.
- Remove the metal cover carefully.
- Insert the new lithium coin cell battery (3 volt standard CR2032). The positive side should be facing up . You will hear a ‘click’ when you place it correctly.
- Put the metal cover back on. To do this, you need to make sure that the three tabs are aligned with the three slots on the AirTag itself.
- Now turn the cover clockwise .
Once this is done, go through the process of checking the AirTag battery status again using your iPhone.
Before finishing, do not forget to remove the spent battery from the middle, as well as the rest of the batteries in case you have decided to buy them in a pack. Remember that these batteries do not have the bitter coating, so it is an added danger if you have small children at home.
As you may have seen, replacing the battery of your AirTags is not a mystery, but you have to take into account the small detail of the coating, which can mean that, at first, the device does not work.
