35 years of brand loyalty lost over one Air Tag.

35 years of brand loyalty lost over one Air Tag.


I own 8 gen 1 air tags. I bought them in 2025. They all work great. Except today, one of the batteries ran out and I attempted to reset it. When inserting two different batteries (which I tested first at 3v) I could not get power to air tag. I called apple support. After an hour on the line , after providing them a receipt off of Amazon where I bought the air tags they refused to replace the (one) bad air tag. Now, that's just wrong. I was very disheartened after being a loyal Apple customer for 35 years. Yes, 35 years. I though other on this forum should hear about how Apple is treating its most valued customers and think twice before pulling the trigger on Apple technology. Because in the end, you will be on your own with no support just like when you purchase non-Apple PCs or products.

iPhone 15, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 1:28 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 1:47 PM

Have you made sure that the batteries don't have Bitrex coating (bitter coating to stop kids eating them)? If they have then they won't work in Airtags. You need to clean the Bitrex off using IPA or a gentle scourer. Youtube will help.

3 replies

Oct 1, 2026 2:00 PM in response to Zurarczurx

Zurarczurx wrote:
Have you made sure that the batteries don't have Bitrex coating (bitter coating to stop kids eating them)? If they have then they won't work in Airtags. You need to clean the Bitrex off using IPA or a gentle scourer. Youtube will help.

Yep. Getting or blocking the electrical contact all depends on where the bitterant is applied on the particular coin cell, and how much of it got applied.


I usually purchase coin cells with child-resistant packaging and no bitterant. Several vendors advertise coun cells specifically for AirTag use; with no bitterant.

35 years of brand loyalty lost over one Air Tag.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.