How to Fix AirTag Not Connecting

airtag not working on apple device

Are you experiencing the AirTag not connecting issue? There are several troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the problem. These include ensuring your AirTag is nearby, checking your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings, restarting your device, resetting your network settings, or even replacing the AirTag battery.

The AirTag is one of the latest accessories from Apple that helps you keep track of and find items that are important to you. These small, coin-shaped devices can be attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, or any other item you want to keep track of. If you own an AirTag you can use your iPhone to locate your lost item on a map, play a sound to help you find it, or even use the Find My network to get help from others in the area.

Why is AirTag not responding?

One of the issues that you might experience with your AirTag is when it does not appear to be working. This can be a frustrating experience especially if you need it to find the item it is connected to.

Here are the troubleshooting methods you should try to fix AirTag not working issues.

Solution 1: Set up an AirTag properly

Some people will experience AirTag issues because they did not follow the correct setup process. The first thing you will need to do is to make sure that you have set up an AirTag properly.

Things to do first:

  • Make sure your device is running on iOS 14.5 or iPadOS 14.5 or later .
  • Find My turned on.
  • Enable Two factor authentication.
  • Bluetooth turned on.
  • A strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
  • Location Services turned on.
  • To be able to use Precision Finding and to see the most accurate location for your AirTag, turn on Location Access for Find My.

Setup an AirTag

If your AirTag is new, remove the wrap around the product and pull out the tab to activate the battery. Your AirTag will play a sound.

Hold your AirTag near your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, then tap Connect. Only one AirTag should be near your device when performing this step.

hoose a name for your AirTag from the list or make up your own name and pick an emoji. Then tap Continue.

To connect your AirTag to your Apple account, tap Continue again.

Finally, tap Done to finish setting up your AirTag.

Solution 2: Toggle your iPhone Bluetooth setting

Turning off and on Bluetooth on your iPhone can help fix connectivity issues with the AirTag since it essentially resets the Bluetooth connection between both devices.

Turn off then turn on Bluetooth

  • Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
  • Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
  • Find the Bluetooth icon, which looks like a stylized “B”, and tap it once to turn Bluetooth off then tap again to turn on.
  • Alternatively, you can go to the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap “Bluetooth” and toggle the switch to turn it off then on.

Solution 3: Toggle your iPhone location services setting

The iPhone Location Services setting is a feature on your iPhone that allows your device to use your location to provide location-based services and features, such as Maps, Find My, and Weather. Enabling Location Services on your iPhone can be helpful for various tasks, such as finding nearby businesses or tracking a lost device.

Turn off then turn on Location services

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on “Privacy and Security” in the list of options.
  • Tap on “Location Services”.
  • Toggle the Location services switch off then enable location services.

Solution 4: Check If Precise Location Is Enabled

Turning on Precise Location allows you to access your AirTag from the Find My app. Find My will accurately pin your AirTag’s location on the map instead of using a massive blue circle.

  • Open the Settings app.
  • In the settings menu, scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.
  • Select the Location Services option located right at the top.
  • Scroll down through the list of apps installed on your iPhone and select Find My to change its location settings.
  • Make sure the location access is set to While Using the App and enable the toggle for Precise Location.

Solution 5: Check Wi-Fi or cellular data connection

You need to make sure that your phone has a good internet connection in order for your AirTag to work properly.

Try running a speed test by going to the speedtest.net website on your phone browser then click on the go button. If you are not getting a good upload or download speed then this could be what’s causing the issue.

If you are on a cellular data connection then try switching to a Wi-Fi connection or vice versa then check if the issue still occurs. If it does then you should try to reset network settings on your iPhone.

Reset network settings

  • Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap on “General”.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap on “Transfer or Reset”.
  • Tap on “Reset”
  • Tap on “Reset Network Settings”.
  • You may be prompted to enter your passcode or Apple ID password to confirm the action.
  • Tap “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.

Solution 6: Reset AirTag

There’s a possibility that the problem is caused by an issue with your AirTag. The AirTag you are using might be associated with another Apple ID. If the previous user removed the AirTag from their Apple ID but they were out of Bluetooth range of the AirTag, then you need to reset it before you can use it with your devices.

How to reset your AirTag

  • Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover of your AirTag and rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating.
  • Remove the cover and the AirTag’s battery.
  • Replace the AirTag’s battery.
  • Press down on the battery until you hear a sound. This sound means that the battery is connected.
  • When the sound finishes, repeat the process four more times, removing and replacing the battery, then pressing down on the battery until you hear a sound. You should hear a sound each time you press on the battery, for a total of five sounds. The fifth sound is different from the previous four. This indicates that the AirTag is now ready to pair.
  • Replace the cover by aligning the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on your AirTag.
  • Press down on the cover.
  • Rotate the cover clockwise until it stops rotating.

Solution 7: Replace your AirTag battery

Sometimes this problem can be caused by a drained battery. The AirTag battery should last more than a year. If you have been using your AirTag for more than a year and are experiencing connection issues with it then it’s probably a good time to replace its battery.

Replacing battery

  • Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover of your AirTag and rotate counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating.
  • Remove the cover and battery.
  • Insert a new CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery.
  • Replace the battery cover, making sure that the three tabs on the cover align with the three slots on the AirTag.
  • Rotate the cover clockwise until it stops.

Solution 8: Get the latest software updates for your iPhone

If your iPhone software is not the latest version then you need to update it as this might be the reason why you are unable to use your AirTag.

  • Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on “General”.
  • Tap on “Software Update”.
  • Your iPhone will check for available updates. If an update is available, tap “Download and Install”.
  • Enter your passcode if prompted, then tap “Agree” to accept the Terms and Conditions.
  • Wait for the update to download and install. This may take several minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the update and your internet connection speed.
  • Once the update is complete, your iPhone will restart and you can use it as usual with the updated software.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are Apple AirTags?

    Apple AirTags are small, circular tracking devices that can be attached to personal items, such as keys, backpacks, and luggage, to help you locate them using the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

  2. How do I set up my Apple AirTag?

    To set up your Apple AirTag, you'll need to remove the plastic wrap around the product and pull out the tab to activate the battery. Then, hold your AirTag near your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap Connect, and follow the on-screen instructions to name your AirTag and register it with your Apple ID.

  3. How do I locate my lost item using an Apple AirTag?

    To locate a lost item using an Apple AirTag, open the Find My app on your iPhone, tap on the AirTag you want to locate, and follow the on-screen instructions to play a sound on the AirTag.

  4. How long does the battery last on an Apple AirTag?

    The battery life is approximately one year, and you can check the battery level in the Find My app on your iPhone. When the battery is low, you'll receive a notification and you can replace the battery yourself.

  5. Are Apple AirTags waterproof?

    AirTags are water-resistant and can withstand splashes of water and some submersion in water.


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