5 Critical Steps: How To Replace Your AirTag Battery In 2024 (The Bitterant Coating Problem You Must Know)

The Apple AirTag is an indispensable tool for tracking your valuables, but its one-year battery life means a replacement is inevitable. As of December 2025, the process remains simple and user-friendly, requiring only a common CR2032 coin cell battery. However, a critical and widespread issue has emerged involving certain popular battery brands, which can lead to your AirTag failing to power on or immediately displaying a "low battery" warning, even with a brand new cell. This expert guide provides the latest step-by-step instructions and, more importantly, the essential troubleshooting knowledge to ensure your battery swap is successful the first time, steering clear of the common pitfalls that plague many users. The AirTag uses a standard, user-replaceable 3V lithium coin cell battery, specifically the CR2032 model. This is the same type of battery found in many small electronic devices and car key fobs. Typically, a fresh CR2032 battery will power your AirTag for about one year, depending on usage and how often it needs to ping its location. You will receive a "Low Battery" notification in the Find My app on your iPhone when the charge is running low, giving you plenty of time to prepare for the swap.

The Essential Step-by-Step AirTag Battery Replacement Guide

Replacing the battery in your AirTag is a quick and simple process that requires no tools. Follow these steps to get your tracker back to full power.

What You Need Before You Start

• One new CR2032 lithium 3V coin cell battery.
• Your AirTag.

Step-by-Step Replacement Instructions

1. Remove the AirTag from its Holder: If your AirTag is secured in a keychain, loop, or protective case, remove it first. You need clear access to the entire back surface.
2. Press and Twist the Cover: Hold the AirTag with the white plastic side facing down. Place two fingers on the polished stainless steel battery cover (the side with the Apple logo). Press down firmly on the cover and simultaneously rotate it counter-clockwise until the cover stops turning. You should hear a distinct sound, indicating the cover is unlocked.
3. Remove the Cover: Once unlocked, the cover will lift off easily, revealing the old CR2032 battery inside.
4. Replace the Battery: Remove the old battery. It should pop out easily, but you can use a small, non-metallic tool like a plastic toothpick if needed. Insert the new CR2032 battery with the positive (+) side facing up (towards you).
5. Reinstall the Cover: Align the three small tabs on the stainless steel cover with the three corresponding slots on the AirTag body. Press down firmly on the cover and rotate it clockwise until it locks securely into place. You will hear a confirmation chime (a successful connection sound) from the AirTag, signaling the process is complete and the new battery is working.

The Critical CR2032 Bitterant Coating Problem

This is the single most important piece of updated information for any AirTag owner. A significant number of users have reported that after replacing their battery, the AirTag either doesn't work, fails to play the confirmation chime, or immediately displays the "Low Battery" warning in the Find My app.

Why Certain Batteries Fail

The problem lies with a safety feature implemented by some battery manufacturers, most notably Duracell. To prevent accidental ingestion by children, these companies apply a bitter-tasting coating, such as Bitrex, to the surface of the battery.

While an excellent safety measure, this bitterant coating is an electrical insulator. When placed inside the AirTag, the coating prevents the battery's positive terminal from making proper contact with the AirTag's internal connectors.

Which Batteries to Use and Which to Avoid

• AVOID: CR2032 batteries explicitly labeled with a bitterant coating or child-safety coating. Duracell CR2032 batteries are the most commonly cited brand with this issue.
• RECOMMENDED: CR2032 batteries from brands like Panasonic, Energizer, Sony, or Renata that do not have the bitter coating. Always check the packaging for any mention of a safety coating.

If you have already installed a bitterant-coated battery and it's not working, you will need to replace it with an uncoated version for the AirTag to function correctly. This is the only reliable fix for this specific power failure.

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Advanced Troubleshooting: Fixing Persistent Low Battery Warnings

Even after replacing the battery with a known good, uncoated CR2032, you might occasionally encounter a persistent "Low Battery" warning in the Find My app. This is a known software bug that can usually be resolved with a simple reset procedure.

Solution 1: The '5-Minute' Battery Removal Reset

Sometimes, the AirTag's internal capacitor retains a residual charge that causes the Find My app to misreport the battery level. The quickest fix is a simple power cycle:

1. Open the AirTag by pressing and twisting the cover counter-clockwise.
2. Remove the new CR2032 battery.
3. Wait for a full five minutes. This allows the internal components to completely discharge.
4. Re-insert the battery (positive side up) and close the cover, twisting it clockwise until it locks.

Solution 2: The '5x' Battery Reset Trick

If the 5-minute wait doesn't resolve the issue, a more intensive hardware reset may be required. This method forces the AirTag to fully recalibrate its battery monitoring system:

1. Open the AirTag and remove the battery.
2. Re-insert the battery, press down on the cover (don't lock it), and then remove the battery again.
3. Repeat this insert/remove process four more times, for a total of five insertions.
4. On the fifth insertion, leave the battery in and lock the cover by twisting it clockwise. The AirTag should play a different, longer chime, indicating a successful reset and reconnection.

Solution 3: Remove and Re-Add the AirTag in Find My

If the warning persists, the issue may be a communication glitch between the AirTag and the Find My network. You can force a complete refresh by removing and re-adding the item:

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1. Go to the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Select the AirTag with the persistent low battery warning.
3. Swipe up on the item card and select "Remove Item." Confirm the removal.
4. Wait a few minutes, then re-add the AirTag as a new item by holding it near your iPhone and following the on-screen prompts.

Extending Your AirTag’s Battery Life and Maintenance

While the AirTag is designed for a year of battery life, there are a few factors and maintenance tips to consider for optimal performance and longevity of the CR2032 cell.

Environmental Factors

Extreme temperatures can significantly impact the life of a lithium battery. If your AirTag is constantly exposed to very cold or very hot conditions—such as being left in a car during a heatwave or a harsh winter—you may find the CR2032 battery life is shorter than the advertised one year. The AirTag uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to communicate, and the colder the temperature, the less efficient the battery becomes at delivering power.

Checking Battery Status

You cannot see a percentage for the AirTag battery. Instead, you check the status directly in the Find My app. Simply open the app, tap on the "Items" tab, and select your AirTag. If the charge is getting low, a "Low Battery" message will appear beneath the AirTag's name.

Storage and Disposal

Always dispose of old CR2032 batteries responsibly. They contain lithium and should be taken to a local battery or electronics recycling center. Never throw them in household trash. When storing replacement batteries, keep them in their original packaging and away from metal objects, as contact can cause a short circuit. For the best performance, always use a fresh battery from a reputable supplier when replacing the cell in your valuable AirTag.