AirTag Battery Does Not Last Long

[contacos]

As the title says. I have 4 AirTags, 3 of those bought in a package together but it does not really matter which AirTag, they always show the red warning within a month (In the Find My App) and they hardly move (besides the one on my keychain). Anyone else? I already tried a different pack of batteries and no difference. In fact, a couple of times, they refused to even connect to my iPhone / Find My App because the App claimed, the battery is too low, even though I just put a fresh battery inside. In those instances, I had to remove the back of the AirTag, press the battery against the airtag while connecting them to the App and then quickly put the back plate back on it and only then would say stay connected

 

[addamas]

Sounds like hardware issue, for sure you should reach Apple if battery depletes in that short time.

I replaced battery after over a year.
Zigbee sensors I have at home (other protocol) also lasts 1-2 years on the same IKEA 3V 2032 battery

 

[russell_314]

Wow that's not normal at all. I just had to replace the batteries on my AirTags after over a year. Did you make sure the batteries you bought didn't have a child safe coating on them? I've heard that can cause problems.

Other than that perhaps you got a bad batch batch of AirTags? I usually ping mine at least once a day so it's not like I don't use them. The crazy thing is the battery on the one that I rarely ping died first.

 

[Slartibart]

Which firmware do they have? Apple released a new version about 2 weeks ago. You can check your current AirTag firmware version through the Find My…-app. The update to Build 2A24e, version 2.0.24 happens automatically.

 

[fischersd]

Either a bad batch or it's environmental. You aren't next to a transformer station or under overhead power lines?

(had a customer at IBM back in the early 90's that had a number of components replaced, but a transformer station was literally on the other side of the wall of his war-time era home) The vertical hold of his TV was always off, yet he thought the computer monitor shouldn't be? *shrug* Suggested he move...also to preserve his health.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

Just replaced mine after one year and a couple of months. Got a pack of 4 and got the low battery alert for all 4 last month

 

[Elmo1938]

I was surprised to get a low battery warning. so I decided to change all the batteries: backpack+3canes.

 

[contacos]

Just had to replace them again since making the post. Low battery warning on two of them, but not on the 3rd. Very strange. I wonder if something is pinging them too often because I also have "Find My" running over night according to my iPhone battery stats

 

[waw74]

have you tried removing them, and re-adding them to your account?

my keys lasted about 13 months, backpack was maybe 14 or 15.

The other 2 were added later, and still going on the original battery.

a reset of the tag while you're unpaired probably wouldn't hurt

How to reset your AirTag - Apple Support

Learn when you need to reset your AirTag and how to do it.

support.apple.com

 

[xraydoc]

I've gotten a year out of the batteries in mine. I have 5 on various items and on all of them they lasted about 12 months.

Make sure the battery replacements aren't bitterant coated. Those won't work correctly.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

As the title says. I have 4 AirTags, 3 of those bought in a package together but it does not really matter which AirTag, they always show the red warning within a month (In the Find My App) and they hardly move (besides the one on my keychain). Anyone else? I already tried a different pack of batteries and no difference. In fact, a couple of times, they refused to even connect to my iPhone / Find My App because the App claimed, the battery is too low, even though I just put a fresh battery inside. In those instances, I had to remove the back of the AirTag, press the battery against the airtag while connecting them to the App and then quickly put the back plate back on it and only then would say stay connected

Mine have lasted over a year. You have something not right or a hardware issue.

 

[bodonnell202]

Not my experience, I bought an airtag when they first came out and I just did my first battery replacement a few weeks ago, so the original battery lasted about a year and a half.

 

[Alex Cai]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/so-i-learned-the-hard-way-what-bitterant-is-now-i-leave-you-with-a-tip.2371068/

I found another thread
The anti child coating might be the issue

 

[macbookm1airlover]

I have "launch day" AirTags...just had to replace the battery last week...as @Alex Cai (above) has said...ensure the batteries that you have do not have bitterant in them.