The AirTag has a battery that lasts about a year. It is a standard button cell battery, so you can easily replace it yourself. But be careful not to use a battery with a bitter coating, Apple warns.
Which AirTag battery should you have?
Inside the AirTag is a small, coin-shaped battery: the CR2032. You can easily swallow it and this can cause a very dangerous chemical reaction. Some battery manufacturers (including Duracell) have therefore applied a bitter coating to the battery to prevent children from eating it.
A button cell battery with a coating is therefore as safe if you have young children, but it is better to get other batteries for the AirTag. CR2032 batteries with a bitter-tasting coating may not work with the AirTag.
The coating would cause the position of the battery contacts to be off, which could lead to the battery not working. Apple therefore recommends purchasing CR2032 batteries that do not have any coating. Usually these are even the cheaper variants of the battery. The button cell batteries are available at, for example, supermarkets and electronics stores.
AirTag: not so kid-friendly
The button cell battery used in the AirTag has already caused a commotion. The Australian consumer organization ACCC called on parents in a press release to keep the AirTag out of the reach of children, due to a safety risk of the product.
They believe that the AirTags’ button cell batteries are too easy to remove, making them unsafe for young children. It is a matter of pressing the metal plate and turning it a quarter turn. So you don’t have to unscrew it. Several major Australian retailers therefore decided to temporarily remove the AirTag from their shelves.
More about the AirTag
Apple announced the AirTag at an event in April. It is an accessory that ensures that you do not lose your precious possessions. You put the white disc in your wallet, for example, or you hang it on your key ring.
The location can then be traced on a map in the Find My app. You can read more about the AirTag in our AirTag review. We also answer all questions in our AirTag FAQ.
