How long do AirTag batteries last?

 Most people buy an AirTag for one simple reason. They want to stop losing things. The catch is that those tiny batteries tucked inside the AirTag do not last forever. The short version is that an AirTag battery usually lasts close to a full year, although the exact lifespan depends on how often it sends location updates, how noisy the environment is, and how regularly you use Precision Finding. That single line answer satisfies the quick searcher, but the story behind it is much more interesting, especially if you rely on an AirTag to watch over a wallet, bag, or keys.

Below is a deep, Australian friendly guide that looks at how long AirTag batteries really last, why some drain faster than others, and how to get more life out of them. Along the way, I will weave in real behaviour insights and practical examples many Aussies will recognise. Anyone who has ever scrambled around the loungeroom looking for their keys at six in the morning knows exactly how valuable these little trackers can be.

How long do AirTag batteries usually last?

You can expect about twelve months of life from a fresh CR2032 battery. That figure comes from Apple’s own testing, but in real life, the range can stretch from nine to fourteen months depending on usage. People who rarely ping the AirTag with the Find My app often squeeze more time out of it. People who use Precision Finding every week may find it empties a little earlier.

AirTags rely on ultra wideband and Bluetooth signals. Each location update uses a little energy. In quiet environments, AirTags do not need to work as hard to broadcast their location. In busy city areas with many signals, the AirTag uses slightly more power.

What affects the battery life of an AirTag day to day?

Several factors shape whether your battery lasts ten months or fourteen. These small variations can add up over time, which is why two friends can buy an AirTag on the same day and still get different results.

Frequency of pings

People who constantly use the Play Sound feature will see the battery drop sooner. The speaker uses more energy than simple Bluetooth signalling.

Precision Finding

The moment you activate that directional arrow on your iPhone, the AirTag uses ultra wideband for accuracy. It is a brilliant piece of engineering, but it draws more power.

Movement

An AirTag placed on a set of house keys that rarely leave the entry table uses very little energy. An AirTag placed in a commuter’s wallet that travels on buses, trams, or crowded CBD streets will broadcast location more often.

This is where behavioural science gives some insight. Humans tend to underestimate how often they perform small actions. If someone thinks they rarely check their AirTag, they may be surprised at how many times they open the app in a single week. This is the consistency principle at play. We behave in patterns without noticing them.

By the way, if you are curious about the usefulness of an AirTag in a wallet context, this piece on an airtag wallet gives a simple example of why many people prefer to tuck one into their everyday carry.

Can extreme temperatures impact battery life?

The short answer is yes. Lithium coin cells do not love extreme heat or cold, and while most parts of Australia sit in a comfortable range, leaving your AirTag in a hot car on a summer day might reduce efficiency. Batteries lose charge faster when they experience high heat. The same goes for freezing conditions on ski trips.

Most people do not think about this until they have a moment where something fails at the wrong time. Anyone who has fumbled with electronics at a campsite in winter knows this well.

How do you know when an AirTag battery is low?

AirTags send a notification to your iPhone once the battery dips to a low level. You can also check manually:

1. Open the Find My app.

2. Tap the Items tab.

3. Choose your AirTag.

4. Look under the name for a small battery icon.

It is not a precise percentage reading, but it gives a good sense of remaining charge. I have seen people ignore this for weeks, partly because the AirTag still works normally for quite a while. Behavioural science calls this optimism bias. We believe things will last slightly longer than they realistically can.

What type of battery does an AirTag use?

AirTags use a CR2032 lithium coin cell. These are sold at major retailers, hardware stores, supermarkets, and service stations across Australia. One tip that many people miss is that some CR2032 batteries come with a bitterant coating to stop children swallowing them. Apple states that AirTags may not work with those specific coated models. If your AirTag refuses to recognise the new battery, this may be the reason.

A standard non coated CR2032 works every time. They are inexpensive, and swapping one takes less than a minute.

How do you replace an AirTag battery safely?

Replacing the battery is easy.

1. Hold the AirTag with the metal side facing you.

2. Press down and rotate counter clockwise.

3. Lift the cover.

4. Remove the old battery.

5. Insert the new CR2032 with the positive side facing up.

6. Press the cover on and turn clockwise until it locks.

You will hear a short confirmation sound when the AirTag powers up again.

A surprising number of people feel slightly nervous performing this. Maybe they believe they will break it. The reassurance principle known as authority can help here. Apple specifically designed the AirTag so that everyday users can replace the battery at home. No technician is needed.

For a detailed breakdown of how an AirTag works within a wallet setup, the Issuu piece on airtag wallet setups offers a clean, visual explanation woven into a real user example.

Does using AirTags for pets, cars, or luggage drain the battery faster?

Yes, but often in predictable ways. A pet that runs around the yard all day will trigger more location updates. A car tracker experiences motion constantly. Luggage moves through busy terminals filled with wireless signals. All this activity means more communication from the AirTag to the Find My network.

People sometimes attempt to stretch the battery by turning off unwanted alerts. While this can help slightly, the AirTag still performs its core tracking functions.

Are there ways to make an AirTag battery last longer?

You can extend battery life with a few simple tweaks.

Reduce unnecessary pings

Try not to repeatedly play the AirTag sound unless needed.

Limit Precision Finding use

Use it only when you genuinely cannot locate the item.

Avoid extreme heat

Do not leave your keys or wallet in a hot car.

Keep the AirTag away from metal-heavy environments

Dense metal surroundings can cause the AirTag to boost its signal more often.

Avoid pairing with too many devices

AirTags work through the Find My network, and while pairing is simple, excessive back and forth communication between multiple household devices can nudge battery usage upward.

What real Aussies say about their AirTag battery experience

Here is where social proof comes in. After speaking with tech savvy travellers, tradespeople, and a few busy parents, the average experience seems remarkably consistent. Most report:

• Eleven to thirteen months per battery

• Earlier depletion when used on pets or bags

• Longer life when placed on items rarely moved at home

• Few surprises during replacement

One tradie described how his AirTag on a tool bag lasted just under a year because it travelled with him across suburbs daily. Another person who kept an AirTag on a spare house key saw nearly fifteen months because it stayed in a drawer most of the time.

It is human nature to want certainty from gadgets. We want them to behave the same every day. AirTags come close, but battery behaviour varies slightly by lifestyle. Consider it a reflection of your own habits more than a flaw in the device.

Why Apple sticks with replaceable batteries rather than rechargeable ones

Many people wonder why AirTags do not come with small rechargeable batteries. Apple chose replaceable coin cells for a few practical reasons.

• Longer time between charges

• No need for cables or chargers

• Cheaper long term maintenance

• Easier recycling of single cells

Rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time. A fresh CR2032 is predictable and affordable. It keeps the AirTag running reliably for a full year without any active effort from the user.

For readers who enjoy technical perspective, this overview from the Australian Communications and Media Authority on Bluetooth low energy technology offers helpful insight into how low power devices maintain long lasting performance.

How to tell if your AirTag is draining too quickly

If your AirTag lasts less than eight months, something might be off. Things that cause early drain include:

• A faulty battery

• A coated CR2032 incompatible with AirTags

• Extremely heavy tracking use

• Constant movement or vibration

• Very poor reception environments

Try swapping in a new CR2032 from a reputable brand. If the issue continues, it might be usage related rather than hardware.

Should you carry spare batteries?

Most people do not need to carry spare CR2032 batteries. They are easy to find around Australia and cost very little. However, frequent travellers sometimes like to keep one in a toiletry kit or laptop sleeve. Since the low battery alert gives you plenty of warning, you can buy one before the AirTag stops working.

FAQ

How long does an AirTag battery last in luggage?
Usually ten to twelve months. Luggage moves constantly, so energy use is slightly higher.

Can you recharge an AirTag battery?
No. AirTags use disposable CR2032 coin cells.

Does an AirTag stop working when the battery is low?
It keeps working for a while after the first warning, but performance can slowly decline until replaced.

Final thoughts

AirTags tend to deliver a full year of dependable tracking without fuss. That predictability is part of their charm. They slip into an everyday routine easily, whether tucked into a bag, an umbrella pocket, or an airtag wallet setup. If you feel like exploring what a wallet based setup looks like, this breakdown on an airtag wallet helps unpack how people use them in practical ways.

Most people discover that battery swaps become an annual habit, almost like changing a smoke alarm battery. Simple. Quick. Routine. A whole year of quiet peace of mind.