User profile for user: fcs659
fcs659 Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

How to troubleshoot AirTag not showing up on 'Find My' after battery replacement?

My Air tags are not showing up on "Find My" . I have searched the various older forums, but nothing works. The batteries were replaced about November 30th, they worked perfectly on recent trips (as recently as mid-December). Yes, I have restarted my phone. Yes, I have taken the batteries out five times from those poorly designed tags... and they beep every time.. but always the same beep, not the one I am supposed to hear after the 5th. Yes, I have checked the various settings recommended in numerous comments. Yes, I have the current version of ios 26.2. The tags are roughly two years old. The phone is an iphone 14 pro.


Any other suggestions? Leaving on an international trip Monday and thought that this would be easy.... the phone just says, "pull the tags and place near the phone" .....and that's it


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Air tags not found

AirTag

Posted on Jan 22, 2026 9:44 AM

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,286 points

Posted on Jan 22, 2026 5:06 PM

Given the age of the tags and the symptoms you’re describing, this is almost certainly battery compatibility or contact-related, not an iOS or phone issue—even though the timing makes it feel like software.


Here’s what I suggest you try next, in order, before your Monday trip:

  • Double-check the exact battery model. Even though the AirTags beep, many CR2032 batteries sold today have a bitter coating that prevents proper electrical contact.
    • Use a non-coated CR2032 (Duracell non-bitter, Energizer, or Panasonic)
    • If unsure, lightly wipe the battery with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth
    • Make sure the positive (+) side is facing up. I know, I know, but anything is possible.
  • Stretch the battery contacts (very gently). After ~2 years, the spring contacts inside AirTags can relax just enough to cause intermittent power. If the contact isn’t perfect, the AirTag will beep but won’t complete pairing.
    • Remove the battery
    • Use a plastic tool or fingernail to slightly lift the metal tabs inside the AirTag
    • Reinsert battery and close firmly (you should feel a solid click)
  • Force a full reset (even if you’ve tried before). Again the 5th beep should sound different from the first four. If you never get the different tone, that’s a strong indicator of hardware or battery incompatibility.
  • Remove the tag from your Apple Account. Open Find My → Items, and if the AirTag appears even as offline:
    • Remove it completely from your account
    • Restart your iPhone
    • Bring the AirTag next to the phone and re-pair
  • Double-check your iPhone settings:
    • Bluetooth ON (toggle off/on)
    • Location Services → Find My → Precise Location ON
    • Apple Account signed in correctly
    • No VPN enabled during pairing


Finally, two-year-old AirTags that suddenly refuse to re-pair after a battery change—especially when they beep but won’t reset—are often end-of-life units. Apple doesn’t advertise this, but internal failures do happen.


At this point, with travel days away, I’d strongly suggest buying a new AirTag (or two) as backup insurance. If you have time, Apple may replace them if diagnosed faulty—but that’s unlikely before Monday.

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,286 points

Jan 22, 2026 5:06 PM in response to fcs659

Given the age of the tags and the symptoms you’re describing, this is almost certainly battery compatibility or contact-related, not an iOS or phone issue—even though the timing makes it feel like software.


Here’s what I suggest you try next, in order, before your Monday trip:

  • Double-check the exact battery model. Even though the AirTags beep, many CR2032 batteries sold today have a bitter coating that prevents proper electrical contact.
    • Use a non-coated CR2032 (Duracell non-bitter, Energizer, or Panasonic)
    • If unsure, lightly wipe the battery with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth
    • Make sure the positive (+) side is facing up. I know, I know, but anything is possible.
  • Stretch the battery contacts (very gently). After ~2 years, the spring contacts inside AirTags can relax just enough to cause intermittent power. If the contact isn’t perfect, the AirTag will beep but won’t complete pairing.
    • Remove the battery
    • Use a plastic tool or fingernail to slightly lift the metal tabs inside the AirTag
    • Reinsert battery and close firmly (you should feel a solid click)
  • Force a full reset (even if you’ve tried before). Again the 5th beep should sound different from the first four. If you never get the different tone, that’s a strong indicator of hardware or battery incompatibility.
  • Remove the tag from your Apple Account. Open Find My → Items, and if the AirTag appears even as offline:
    • Remove it completely from your account
    • Restart your iPhone
    • Bring the AirTag next to the phone and re-pair
  • Double-check your iPhone settings:
    • Bluetooth ON (toggle off/on)
    • Location Services → Find My → Precise Location ON
    • Apple Account signed in correctly
    • No VPN enabled during pairing


Finally, two-year-old AirTags that suddenly refuse to re-pair after a battery change—especially when they beep but won’t reset—are often end-of-life units. Apple doesn’t advertise this, but internal failures do happen.


At this point, with travel days away, I’d strongly suggest buying a new AirTag (or two) as backup insurance. If you have time, Apple may replace them if diagnosed faulty—but that’s unlikely before Monday.

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How to troubleshoot AirTag not showing up on 'Find My' after battery replacement?

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