How Long Do AirTags Last?

Apple’s AirTag is a button-sized Bluetooth and UWB tracker that clips to bags, keys, bikes — anything you can’t afford to misplace. It taps the Find My network of nearby Apple devices to update location, chirps on command and keeps all traffic encrypted end-to-end.

Your AirTag’s Shelf Life

An AirTag lasts about one year on the factory-installed CR2032 coin cell. Your iPhone flags low power when the voltage falls under 2.5 volts, so you can swap cells before tracking drops offline. 

What Determines an AirTag’s Lifespan?

Several real-world variables decide whether your AirTag dies in eight months or lasts past an entire year. Knowing each lets you predict and manage battery drain instead of being caught off guard. 

1. Lost-Mode Broadcasting

Switch on Lost Mode and the tag advertises every two seconds, so any passer-by’s iPhone can relay its position — radio-on time almost doubles. Prolonged Lost-Mode pings can quickly drain the battery. 

2. Sound Alerts and Precision Finding

Every chirp or Ultra-Wideband radar burst draws more current than silent standby. Daily precision finding can significantly reduce overall life, as can other interaction points. 

3. Temperature Extremes

Lithium coin cells can operate effectively from -30 to 60 degrees Celsius. Freezing temperatures can damage the battery’s components, while prolonged exposure to heat above 60 C can lead to degradation. 

4. Separation and Safety Beeps

The firmware forces beeps if the tag is separated from its owner or detected traveling with someone else. Firmware 2.0.73 — March 2024 — also raised speaker volume for anti-stalking alerts, slightly increasing each beep’s energy cost. 

5. Firmware and Network Conditions

Updates sometimes lower broadcast duty cycles and dense urban blocks let a tag latch onto passing iPhones quickly — saving juice compared with rural trails. 

6. Battery Brand and Chemistry

All CR2032s output 3V, yet discharge curves vary per brand. The CR2032 is known for its ability to sustain its voltage for a long time, making it suited for devices that might not be used frequently.

With all that said, real-world AirTag endurance ranges from eight months — Lost Mode on, daily chimes — up to 15 months if mostly idle. 

How to Stretch Your AirTag’s Life

While the hardware is fixed, your usage patterns aren’t — small changes in settings and habits can extend runtime by weeks. Apply the practices below to squeeze the most value from every CR2032 cell. 

1. Mute Unnecessary Alerts

In Find My > Items > AirTag > Notifications, turn off “Notify When Left Behind” at safe places like home or the office. Commuters who mark a bus depot as trusted can prevent hundreds of pings a week.

2. Avoid Extreme Temperature

Store tags inside an insulated pocket rather than an overheated trunk or ski-lift keyring. If you must leave one in the car, tuck it under a seat where temperatures stay cooler. High temperatures can destabilize the cell’s internal structure, making it prone to swelling and increasing the risk of explosion and fire. 

3. Use Precision Finding Sparingly

Start with map view — save the arrow-guided mode for the last few meters. A quick Bluetooth ping can resolve searches without waking the UWB radio. You can reclaim about a month of battery life per year by cutting daily Precision sessions in half. 

4. Keep Firmware Update

Leave the AirTag near your iPhone overnight on wifi — updates slide in automatically and often include power tweaks. Apple’s firmware update note confirms newer builds are delivered while the AirTag sits in your phone’s Bluetooth range — no action is required. 

5. Reseat After Rough Impact

A hard drop can twist the cover just enough to interrupt contact — re-twisting restores the circuit and the water-seal gasket. Misaligned covers can trigger phantom low-battery warnings even when the voltage is okay. 

6. Silence Post-Update Beeps Promptly

After a firmware install, launch Find My so the tag recognizes it’s with its owner — this stops alert loops and prevents the speaker from draining through days of capacity. 

7. Choose High-Quality Batteries

Global Brands Magazine lists Duracell, Energizer, CT-Energy and LiCB CR2032 3V lithium batteries as the most reliable and longest-lasting replacements. 

How Long Do AirTags Last and Other Frequently Asked Questions

Even experienced owners encounter a handful of recurring requests once they start using AirTags daily. The following answers clear up those practical concerns. 

When the AirTag’s battery warning pops up, can I replace the battery myself? 

Yes. Press the stainless steel back, twist it counter-clockwise, drop in a fresh CR2032 + side up, twist until it clicks and your iPhone will confirm the swap. 

My AirTag keeps beeping — does that shorten battery life?

Yes. Continuous chimes draw current. To stop the loop and regain weeks of runtime, clear Lost Mode, bring the tag within Bluetooth range or reseat its battery. 

Can I use a rechargeable CR2032 or thinner CR2025 for my AirTag?

No. AirTags accept only a CR2032 3V lithium coin cell, with no rechargeables or alternate sizes. Rechargeable Li-ion coin cells out at 3.6V and are thicker, while CR2025s are much thinner. Using either risk damage or random shutdowns. 

What should I do with a depleted AirTag coin cell?

Recycle it — lithium button cells are toxic if binned. Most electronic stores and municipal e-waste depots accept them at no charge.

My AirTag is two years old — should I retire it?

If the speaker, Bluetooth and UWB still respond after multiple battery changes, keep using it. Inspect the cover tabs and gasket for cracks. If the water sealing fails, replace the tag. 

Ready for the Long Haul

Treat your AirTag like the tiny computer it is — feed it quality power, mind environmental extremes and keep firmware fresh — and you’ll rarely face a dead tracker at the worst moment. With good habits, each CR2032 is a 12-to-15-month ticket to stress-free ownership. When the low-battery ping finally sounds, you’ll spend less than a latte, twist on a new cell and jump back onto the world’s largest crowdsourced finding network.