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Replace an AirTag with a CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery: press the polished stainless-steel cover down, turn it counterclockwise, install the new cell with its positive (+) side facing up, then refit the cover and turn it clockwise until it stops. If your iPhone or Android phone shows an unwanted-tracking alert, changing the battery in your own AirTag will not clear it—the alert concerns an unknown tracker that has been moving with you, so you must locate, identify and disable that device.
The procedures below cover battery compatibility, the exact replacement sequence, confirmation and troubleshooting, and the safest response to an unknown AirTag or other Find My-compatible tracker.
What an AirTag battery replacement does—and does not do
An AirTag uses a user-replaceable CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery. Replacing it restores power to an AirTag you own. It does not reset ownership, remove the item from Find My, or silence an alert generated by a different tracker.
An unwanted-tracking alert is a safety notification. It means an AirTag, AirPods, Find My network accessory or compatible Bluetooth tracker has been separated from its owner and has been detected moving with you over time. Treat the alert and the battery-maintenance task as two separate jobs: maintain your own AirTag, and investigate an unknown device.
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For Apple’s official battery procedure, see How to replace the battery in your AirTag. Apple’s safety guidance and alert workflow are in What to do if you receive an alert that an AirTag, set of AirPods, Find My network accessory or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is with you.
What you need before opening the AirTag
- A replacement CR2032 lithium 3V coin-cell battery.
- A clean, dry surface so the small cover and battery do not roll away.
- Several seconds to test the AirTag after closing it.
Check the battery package for wording that says it is compatible with Apple AirTag. Some CR2032 cells have a bitterant coating intended to discourage children from putting them in their mouths. Apple warns that some bitterant-coated CR2032 batteries might not work in AirTag or other battery-powered products. If a coated cell fails to make contact, use a compatible uncoated cell rather than forcing the cover or bending the contacts.
Keep new and used coin cells, the AirTag and its cover away from small children. A coin cell can cause serious injury if swallowed, and the detached cover and battery are choking hazards. Dispose of the used battery according to your local rules; do not leave it loose in household rubbish where a child or pet can reach it.
How to replace an AirTag battery
Hold the AirTag with the polished stainless-steel side facing up throughout the opening step. The white plastic half remains underneath the metal cover.
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- Press the cover down. Place your thumb on the stainless-steel cover and apply firm, even downward pressure. The pressure disengages the cover’s locking mechanism.
- Rotate counterclockwise. While keeping the cover pressed down, turn it to the left (counterclockwise) until it stops or releases.
- Lift off the cover. Remove the stainless-steel cover and set it aside with the three cover tabs facing upward. Do not pry around the rim with a sharp tool; the cover should release through the press-and-turn motion.
- Remove the old cell. Take out the CR2032 battery. If it is stuck, turn the AirTag over onto your palm rather than inserting metal into the battery compartment. Keep the old cell separate for proper disposal.
- Insert the replacement. Place the new CR2032 lithium 3V battery in the compartment with the positive (+) side facing up. The flat side marked with a plus sign should be visible. A reversed battery will not power the AirTag correctly.
- Listen for the connection sound. A sound from the AirTag indicates that the replacement battery has made contact. If there is no sound, remove the cell, confirm its orientation and check that it is a supported CR2032 type.
- Align the cover. Position the three tabs on the stainless-steel cover over the three slots in the AirTag.
- Lock the cover. Press the cover down and rotate it clockwise (to the right) until it stops. The cover should sit flush; do not force it past the stop.
Apple’s sequence is press and counterclockwise to open, positive side up for the new cell, then align all three tabs and slots and rotate clockwise until the cover stops. If the cover does not sit evenly, remove it and realign every tab instead of carrying the AirTag loose.
Confirm the new battery is working
After the cover is locked, bring the AirTag near your iPhone. A low-battery notification can appear on iPhone when the cell is depleted, and Find My can display Low Battery beneath the AirTag in the Items tab. After replacement, open Find My, select Items, and select the AirTag to check that the low-battery warning has cleared.
Use the AirTag’s sound as the immediate physical check. If the replacement cell connected, the AirTag emits a sound during installation. You can also use the Find My item controls to play a sound after closing the cover.
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If there is no connection sound
- Remove the battery and verify that the plus (+) side faces up.
- Confirm that the cell is a CR2032 lithium 3V battery and that its packaging indicates AirTag compatibility.
- Try another new cell if the first one is bitterant-coated or has been stored for a long time.
- Check that the stainless-steel cover is not preventing contact because it is misaligned; reinstall it with all three tabs seated in their slots.
- If the AirTag remains unresponsive with a known-compatible cell, do not bend the contacts or puncture the battery. Arrange hardware service or replacement through an appropriate support channel.
If the cover will not open
Keep the metal side up, press straight down on the center of the cover and turn counterclockwise. A slippery cover can make the press-and-turn motion difficult; dry your fingers and the cover rather than adding oil or adhesive. Do not use a knife or screwdriver around the seam, because a slip can damage the enclosure, battery or your hand.
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If the cover will not close
Remove it and inspect the alignment. The three tabs must line up with the three slots before you press and rotate clockwise. A cover that stops before it is flush is not locked; do not carry the AirTag until it closes correctly.
Choosing a compatible CR2032 battery
| Requirement | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry and voltage | CR2032 lithium, 3V | This is the cell specification used by AirTag. |
| Coating | Packaging should state compatibility with Apple AirTag; avoid a bitterant-coated cell if it fails to make contact | Apple says some bitterant-coated CR2032 batteries might not work in AirTag or other battery-powered products. |
| Condition | Use a new, undamaged cell | A depleted, corroded or bent cell can produce intermittent contact or no sound. |
| Handling | Keep away from children; follow local disposal rules for the old cell | Coin cells and the AirTag cover present choking or injury hazards. |
Do not substitute a different coin-cell number merely because it looks similar. The physical size, voltage and contact arrangement must match the CR2032 specification. If a package does not identify the cell clearly, choose one that does.
What an unwanted-tracking alert means
The alert does not mean that your own AirTag suddenly became dangerous or that its battery needs changing. It indicates that a tracker separated from its owner has been seen moving with you over time. The unknown device could be an AirTag, a set of AirPods, a Find My network accessory or another compatible Bluetooth location tracker.
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Responding on iPhone or iPad
- Open the alert. Tap the unwanted-tracking notification and choose Continue to view the available actions.
- Make the tracker play a sound. Tap Play Sound. Follow the sound through the room, vehicle or belongings. Give the device time to respond if there is background noise.
- Use Find Nearby when offered. On supported iPhone models, Find Nearby can display the unknown AirTag’s distance and direction. Move slowly and follow the on-screen direction until you reach the area where the signal is strongest.
- Search methodically. Check coat and trouser pockets, bags and their inner compartments, luggage, child seats, bicycle storage, the glove box, under seats and other places where a small disc could be hidden. If sound or precision finding stops, search the last indicated area rather than assuming the tracker is gone.
- Identify the device. When you find it, use the actions in Find My. If the device supports NFC identification, hold an NFC-capable phone near it as instructed on screen. The resulting page may provide information that helps establish what the tracker is and how to proceed.
- Disable it. Follow the on-screen instructions for that specific tracker. Disabling the device stops it from reporting its location; turning off Bluetooth, Location Services or Find My on your phone does not disable the unknown tracker.
Keep the unknown device where you can see it while you work through identification and disabling. Do not attempt to pair it to your account or remove it from another person’s belongings.
Responding on Android
Android 6.0 and later can automatically notify you about a compatible tracker that appears to be moving with you. Open the notification and use its sound or scan controls to look for the device. Android also provides a manual scan option when you want to check nearby trackers without waiting for an automatic alert.
- Open the tracker notification and read the device type and map or timing information shown.
- Start the sound action, then inspect clothing, bags, vehicles and other personal belongings.
- Run the manual scan if you do not hear a sound or want to check the area again.
- Use the identification and disable instructions presented for the device you found. An NFC-capable Android phone can provide additional identification when the tracker supports NFC.
Apple’s Tracker Detect app can scan for compatible Find My network trackers and play a sound when one is detected nearby. A scan is useful when an automatic Android notification has not appeared, but it does not replace a physical search if a tracker is already known to be with you.
| Platform | Built-in or available actions | Best use |
|---|---|---|
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| Android 6.0 and later | Automatic notifications plus a manual scan; sound, identification and disable steps for the discovered tracker | Check immediately when notified and rescan when the first search is inconclusive. |
| Android with Tracker Detect | Manual scan for compatible Find My network trackers and a nearby sound action | Look for Find My-compatible devices even without an automatic notification. |
If you cannot find the tracker
Repeat the physical search after moving to a quiet location. Turn off music and other noise, check every compartment rather than only the obvious pockets, and inspect the underside and interior of a vehicle. A tracker can be inside a bag lining, attached beneath a seat or mixed with another person’s tagged property.
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If the alert follows you but the sound and Find Nearby result do not reveal a device, record the times and places where the alert occurred and continue checking your belongings. Do not assume that replacing the battery in an AirTag you own will affect the unknown device; they are separate hardware.
If you feel unsafe, leave for a well-populated public location such as a staffed business or police station. Contact local law enforcement when you believe someone may be tracking or threatening you, especially if the tracker cannot be found or the alert recurs after you have disabled a device. Preserve the notification details and any device identification information for responders.
Why replacing your AirTag battery will not stop the alert
An unwanted-tracking alert is associated with an unknown tracker detected near you, not with the battery level of an AirTag registered to your account. Replacing your own AirTag’s CR2032 cell can clear its Low Battery status and restore its sound, but it cannot change the ownership or location behavior of another device.
To stop the alert, locate the unknown tracker, identify it and complete the disable procedure shown by Find My, Android or Tracker Detect. If the alert concerns an AirTag that belongs to a family member, colleague or friend traveling with you, ask that owner to account for it; do not disable a device before you know whose property it is unless your safety requires immediate action.
Quick Recap
Practical checklist
For routine battery maintenance
- Obtain a compatible CR2032 lithium 3V cell.
- Press and turn the stainless-steel cover counterclockwise.
- Install the cell with the positive (+) side up.
- Listen for the connection sound.
- Align the three tabs and slots and turn clockwise until the cover stops.
- Check Find My’s Items tab for the AirTag and confirm that Low Battery is no longer shown.
For an unwanted-tracking alert
- Tap the alert and choose Continue.
- Use Play Sound, and use Find Nearby when supported.
- Search clothing, bags, vehicles and other belongings.
- Identify the device with Find My or NFC when available.
- Follow the on-screen steps to disable it.
- Move to safety and contact law enforcement if the situation may threaten you.
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