AirTags won't connect after iPhone change

Thanks for the update — I did some digging, and it looks like your AirTags may be stuck in a state where they weren’t fully released from Apple’s servers during the phone change and account transfers. When this happens, the AirTag thinks it’s still linked to a previous iPhone or Apple Account, even though it doesn’t show up on your devices anymore.

The good news is that this can usually be fixed with a full reset. When you have a moment, please try the following steps:

1. On your new iPhone, open Find My → Items and confirm the AirTag isn’t listed. If you see it there, tap it and choose Remove Item.
2. Fully reset each of your tags. Open the AirTag by pressing and twisting the back. Remove the battery. Put the battery back in and press until you hear a chime. Remove the battery again. Repeat the “insert battery + press until chime” five total times. After the fifth chime, close the AirTag.
3. Reset your iPhone’s Bluetooth and network settings by going to: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset Reset Network Settings.
4. Try pairing again.

Finally, if one of the AirTags was previously used with your spouse’s Apple Account, It may still be tied to that account. If so, they’ll need to remove it from their Find My as well.

An AirTag is not tied to an iPhone, but instead to your Apple Account. Per chance, are you using the same Apple Account for your new iPhone as you were using with your old one?

How exactly did you remove the tag from your old phone?

You're very welcome. I'm glad you got it worked out.