How Long Do AirTag Batteries Last?
Short answer: An original AirTag battery lasts 8 to 18 months in typical use, with most users seeing around 12 months. The AirTag 2 (released 2025) lasts up to 2 years thanks to improved power efficiency.
The battery life depends heavily on how often your AirTag is located by nearby Apple devices, whether Precision Finding is used frequently, and environmental conditions like temperature.
AirTag Battery Life by Model
| Model | Apple's Claim | Real-World Average | Best Case | Worst Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirTag (1st gen) | "More than a year" | 10-14 months | 18+ months | 6-8 months |
| AirTag 2 | "Up to 2 years" | 16-20 months | 24+ months | 10-12 months |
Apple uses a standard CR2032 coin cell battery in both models. The AirTag 2 achieves longer life through a more efficient Ultra Wideband chip and optimized Bluetooth broadcasting.
What Affects AirTag Battery Life?
Factors That Drain Battery Faster
- High-traffic areas: AirTags in busy urban locations get pinged by more Apple devices, using more power. A tag on a delivery truck in Manhattan drains faster than one on farm equipment in rural Kansas.
- Frequent Precision Finding: Using the U1/UWB chip for precise direction-finding consumes significantly more power than passive Bluetooth broadcasting.
- Extreme temperatures: Cold weather (below 32°F / 0°C) reduces CR2032 capacity by 20-40%. Heat above 95°F / 35°C accelerates chemical degradation.
- Sound alerts: Playing the "Find My" chime to locate a tag uses more power than passive tracking.
- Lost Mode: When an AirTag is in Lost Mode, it broadcasts more aggressively to increase the chance of detection.
Factors That Extend Battery Life
- Rural or low-traffic areas: Fewer pings from nearby iPhones means less radio activity.
- Stationary placement: A tag that stays in one location uses less power than one that moves constantly (movement triggers more frequent Bluetooth advertisements).
- Moderate temperatures: Batteries perform best between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
- Quality batteries: Panasonic and Maxell CR2032 batteries consistently outlast cheaper brands. See our battery brand comparison for detailed test results.
How to Check AirTag Battery Level
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone
- Tap the Items tab
- Select your AirTag
- The battery level icon appears below the AirTag name
Apple doesn't show an exact percentage—just a battery icon. When it's low, you'll also receive a notification on your iPhone.
For businesses tracking dozens or hundreds of AirTags, AirPinpoint's dashboard shows battery status across your entire fleet so you can proactively schedule replacements before tags go offline.
When to Replace Your AirTag Battery
Replace the CR2032 battery when:
- Find My shows a low battery indicator (the icon will appear nearly empty)
- You receive a low battery notification on your iPhone
- Location updates become less frequent — this often happens before the low battery warning
- The AirTag fails to play a sound when triggered from Find My
How to Replace the Battery
- Press down on the stainless steel back of the AirTag
- Rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating
- Remove the cover and old battery
- Insert a new CR2032 battery with the positive (+) side facing up
- Replace the cover and rotate clockwise until it clicks
The replacement takes about 10 seconds.
Important: Avoid CR2032 batteries with bitter coatings (like some Duracell models). The coating can prevent proper electrical contact. See our full battery brand guide for which brands work best.
AirTag Battery Life for Business Use
When deploying AirTags at scale for asset tracking, battery management becomes an operational concern:
- Budget for annual replacement: At ~$0.50 per CR2032 battery, replacement cost is minimal but scheduling matters
- Track battery status centrally: AirPinpoint provides fleet-wide battery monitoring so you can replace batteries before losing tracking coverage
- Stock spare batteries: For a fleet of 100+ AirTags, keep 20-30 spare CR2032s on hand
- Set calendar reminders: If you deployed a batch of AirTags on the same date, schedule a bulk replacement 10-11 months later
AirTag Battery Life vs GPS Tracker Battery Life
| Feature | AirTag (CR2032) | Cellular GPS Tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 8-18 months | 1-4 weeks (compact) or 1-3 months (large) |
| Battery type | CR2032 coin cell ($0.50) | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Replacement | User-replaceable, 10 seconds | Requires charging cable/dock |
| Maintenance | Replace once a year | Charge weekly to monthly |
AirTags last dramatically longer because they use Bluetooth Low Energy instead of power-hungry cellular radios. This is why many businesses choose AirTags over GPS trackers for assets that don't need real-time tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an AirTag battery last in a car?
An AirTag in a car typically lasts 10-14 months. Cars in urban areas with more passing iPhones may see slightly faster drain (8-12 months) than cars parked in rural areas (12-18 months). Temperature extremes in parked cars (hot summers, cold winters) can also reduce battery life.
Does AirTag battery drain faster in cold weather?
Yes. CR2032 batteries lose 20-40% of their capacity in freezing temperatures. If you're tracking equipment outdoors in winter, expect battery life closer to 6-10 months instead of the typical 12 months. The battery recovers some capacity when temperatures warm up.
Can I use rechargeable batteries in AirTags?
No. Rechargeable CR2032 batteries (LIR2032) have a lower voltage (3.6V vs 3.0V) that can damage the AirTag. Only use standard non-rechargeable CR2032 batteries.
How much does it cost to replace an AirTag battery?
A single CR2032 battery costs $0.30-0.80 depending on brand. A 10-pack of Panasonic CR2032 (the recommended brand) costs about $6. Battery replacement is one of the reasons AirTags have the lowest total cost of ownership among tracking solutions.
Does the AirTag 2 use the same battery?
Yes, the AirTag 2 uses the same standard CR2032 battery as the original. The longer battery life (up to 2 years) comes from more efficient hardware, not a different battery.
