AirTag not connecting? Here’s how to fix it

Apple’s AirTag tracking device has been around for quite some time now. While most users find it useful, there are times when an AirTag might not be working properly. For example, it might not connect or show up in the Find My app on your iPhone. If that’s the case, here’s what you need to do to fix the problem.

How to Fix AirTag Not Connecting Issue

1. Change your AirTag battery

The main reason why your AirTag won’t connect is a low or dead battery. In this case, you will simply need to change the battery.

Unfortunately, since you can’t find it on Find My, you have no way to check the battery health. So, the next time your AirTag shows up in Find My again, make sure to check if the battery needs to be replaced. You can check the battery health by following the steps below.

1. Open Find my.
2. Click it Items tab, then tap the AirTag.
3. If your AirTag’s battery is low, you’ll see an alert next to the indicator. This alert says “Low Battery.”

If your AirTag battery needs to be replaced, you can follow our instructions to replace it and make sure the new one works.

2. Restart your device

Since the AirTag is connected to your iPhone, the only way to reset it is to restart your iPhone. Hopefully, it will reappear in Find My, so there is no harm in doing so.

3. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version

Unlike other Apple devices, you can’t force a firmware update on your AirTag. So, updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version might make it reappear in Find My. This is because Apple may have rolled out updates to the Find My app that fix the issue in question.

4. Reset Location and Privacy on your iPhone

Sometimes an iPhone can’t connect to an AirTag due to issues with the phone’s location services. The only way to fix this particular issue is to reset your iPhone’s location and privacy settings.

5. Make sure you are not using a Managed Apple ID

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad with a Managed Apple ID, you won’t be able to use AirTag. Managed Apple IDs are typically used by schools and businesses and have some limitations. One of those limitations is the inability to pair AirTags.

To use AirTag, you’ll need a personal Apple ID, which provides access to all of Apple’s consumer features and services.

However, you can share your AirTag with other people using a private Apple ID account.

7. Manually reset your AirTag

If you don’t know, you can manually reset your AirTag by simply removing its battery. If you have successfully replaced the battery, you can also reset your AirTag manually. Try removing the battery and putting it back in at least four times to completely reset your AirTag. After resetting, you need to set it up on your iPhone again.

1. Place your AirTag near your iPhone.
2. Faucet Connect when it appears on your iPhone screen.
3. Faucet Finishing once the installation process is complete.

Hopefully, after manually resetting your device, it will reappear in Find My. If not, the following tip might fix the problem.

8. Update your AirTag firmware

Unfortunately, Apple has yet to find a way for AirTag owners to force a firmware update on the accessory. This is still done over the air via iOS updates on a connected iPhone. So the trick here is that when Apple announces firmware updates for AirTag, make sure to bring the tracker near your iPhone and wait for the update to roll out to the device. You can check your AirTag’s firmware version by following the steps below.

1. Open the Find my application on your iPhone.
2. Press the Items tongue.
3. Select your AirTag.
4. Tap the name of your AirTag.

You can see your AirTag’s serial number and current firmware version. Check if it’s the same as the version Apple just rolled out.

9. Check the location settings on your iPhone

Most of the time, users may forget that the location services on their devices are turned off. If that’s the case, you won’t see your AirTag appear in Find My. So, make sure that location services are turned on. On your iPhone, simply go to Settings > Privacy and security > Location services > Locate > While using the app.