Could NOT get cover off of the AirTag

Question

Level 1

4 points

Could NOT get cover off of the AirTag

I read here to use a bit of grippy jar openers - nope. I read using masking tape and double it - nope I tried to put it in the palm of my hand - nope. No traction, finger just slid around. I tried it being gentle - nope. I tried more pressure - nope

Finally, cause it is making me crazy with phone beeps. It wants to connect! I had disconnected it online. Does not show up online anymore.

SO I took a tiny screwdriver, gently pried it in places between the top and bottom and then it popped off. Took out the battery, and the cover would not go back on. I tried to screw it on or off. won't budge or turn. I just pressed it and it popped on - and now it won't open. But the battery is out, and I care less about it. Unless that AirTag still wants to connect! Very bad design. Or this is just one in a million.

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 28, 2025 4:55 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tesserax

Level 10

160,008 points

Mar 1, 2025 9:54 AM in response to suedix66

Just for reference, there are three tangs on the battery cover. On the AirTag's case there are three associated slots for those tangs. When removing the battery cover the first time, in practice, slight downward pressure is required against the cover. In turn this pressure should allow the cover to rotate freely so that the tangs move to the larger slot openings allowing the cover to be removed.

In reverse, you would line up these cover tangs to the slots on the case, then press down gently and rotate to line them back up to their "closed" position.

Since this didn't seem to work for you, and you resorted to using a screwdriver, it is very possible that you damaged your tag making it difficult, if not impossible, to remove/replace the cover again.

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Answer 2

suedix66 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 1, 2025 1:55 PM in response to Tesserax

How did you find out about the slots and the tangs? I have been a while trying to figure this out. Nothing I saw about this. I got help at Apple Store. Cause my phone was beeping like crazy. They thought my plug in cord was defective. Bought a new cord. Got home, that made no difference. Beeping all of the time. Then the incessant message from the not connected to my phone - air tag. Begging me to connect it. What? How can it do that, not on my phone. More time passed - beeping, wants to connect- NOW. So I read I needed to take the battery out of the air tag. To truly sever the tie. Which was no piece of pizza for me. My phone and I are now in peace. And to the person who has effortlessly replaced 6 Batteries. I am glad things work for someone.

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