September 17, 2024, 8:22 am | Read time: 3 minutes
When the batteries in Apple AirTags start to weaken, new ones are needed. However, an annoying error can occur when changing them. TECHBOOK explains what this could be all about.
If you are worried about losing valuable items, you can attach an Apple AirTag to them. The small devices help determine the location of lost items and thus find them again. As they have to be extremely mobile, they work with batteries that run down over time. However, changing them can be a problem.
Apple AirTags can run out of power after a battery change
The small batteries should normally last for about a year. Shortly before they give up the ghost, the Apple AirTags indicate that they need to be replaced. However, in the past, users, for example, in the Apple community, have reported the phenomenon that the charging indicator continues to show a low level despite fresh energy.
This is particularly confusing because the gadgets supposedly still emit a signal tone when new batteries are inserted. This confirms the successful swap. But why does the charging status remain low afterward?
Special coating on batteries could be the cause
The manufacturer admits in a battery replacement guide that compatibility problems can occur. These can occur, in particular, if batteries with a special bitter coating are used. Curiously, however, Apple itself recommends the use of CR2032 batteries with such a coating.
This is primarily for the safety of children or animals. The bitter substance is simply intended to give the portable energy cells a bad taste and thus make them unpalatable. This is to prevent accidental ingestion. This is why users should look out for the clear label “Compatible with Apple AirTag” when purchasing.
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Possible solutions for empty Apple AirTags after battery replacement
If you are also confronted with this problem, a quick and simple solution is to simply use batteries without a bitter coating. Alternatively, you can also invest a little more time and effort to avoid throwing away the small energy storage devices straight away.
In fact, one user recommended using nail polish remover or sandpaper to carefully remove the bitter substance usually applied to the edge. While Apple recommends that users use the Duracell 2032 lithium button cell, you can also try your luck with other manufacturers.
Others advise restarting the iPhone paired with the AirTags or re-pairing the tags. Repeatedly installing and removing the new batteries is also said to have helped. Last but not least, you can also simply try doing nothing: One user said that he only had to wait a few minutes before the charging display was correct. And another is not even bothered by this – his AirTags work perfectly apart from the faulty display.
With material from dpa