Reset AirTag is a new problem for users, As Losing track of your belongings is never fun—but resetting your Apple AirTag can help you take back control. Whether you’re troubleshooting, gifting, selling, or simply starting fresh, knowing how to reset your AirTag properly ensures it’s safe, ready to go, and free from hidden issues. This in-depth guide is going to be very helpful in this regard, as it explains everything step-by-step so that you can reset your AirTag quickly, securely, and effectively—every single time.
🔧 Why to reset AirTag Is Necessary
Being aware of when and why you need to reset an AirTag is crucial if you want to keep it both working well and secure.
Top Reasons to Reset AirTag:
- Troubleshooting issues: If your AirTag isn’t updating its location or showing as offline.
- Transferring ownership: You’re selling, gifting, or handing over the AirTag.
- Reassigning items: Moving your AirTag from keys to luggage, for example.
- Battery replacement issues: when the device fails to restart correctly after inserting a new battery.
Note: AirTags are tied to your Apple ID by a security feature called Pairing Lock. Resetting is not sufficient; you also have to take it out of your account for it to be fully reset.
📋 What You Need Before You Start
List of items you might need for a successful reset AirTag.
- The AirTag within wireless Bluetooth range
- An iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS/iPadOS
- Your Apple ID login credentials
- A CR2032 coin cell battery (preferably a new one)
- Optional: Rubber gloves or grip cloth for the difficult spots
- A flat surface or tray to keep small parts from getting lost
Warning: Before you start, it is necessary that you have turned on Bluetooth and Location
🔓 Step 1: Reset AirTag from Apple ID (Software Reset)
To completely reset AirTag from your Apple ID:
- Launch the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Hit the Items tab.
- Choose the AirTag you wish to reset.
- Scroll down and tap Remove Item.
- Tap Remove again to confirm it.
- That’s you have reset AirTag from Apple ID.
This will disconnect your AirTag from your Apple ID if it is within Bluetooth range. In the case that it is not close, carry on with the manual reset to finalize the process.
🔁 Step 2: Perform a Manual Reset (Physical Reset)
Manual reset AirTag is necessary in these cases:
- The AirTag was far from your phone at times of software removal.
- You are giving or selling the device.
- You run into pairing or location problems.
Do these steps:
- Carry the AirTag with the stainless steel side facing up.
- Push down and turn the cover counterclockwise to open it.
- Take out the CR2032 battery.
- Put the battery back in and push it until you hear a sound.
- Take out and put back the battery, pushing it each time, for a total of five sounds.
- The last sound will be different, indicating that the full reset is done.
- Put the cover on and turn it clockwise until it is fixed.
The reason for that is that five is the number of complete memory erasures in AirTag that Apple needs while the internal memory erasure/remote pairing data is deleted.
📲 Step 3: Re-Pair or Transfer Your AirTag
After you have reset AirTag, you have the following options: :
- To connect it again with your iPhone.
- To give it to someone else.
- To keep it safe in case you need it later.
To pair it again:
- Place the reset AirTag next to your iPhone.
- Complete the registration process according to the instructions on the screen.
It is also straightforward for buyers or recipients to set it up—only if the previous owner removed the AirTag from their Apple ID.
⚠️ Common Errors & Fixes while reset AirTag
1. AirTag not responding
- Change the battery for a new one of the same type.
- Make sure the battery is placed correctly (the positive side should face up).
- After taking out the battery, wait 10 seconds before putting it back.
2. “AirTag Not Reachable” Error
- Get the AirTag nearer to your iPhone.
- Make sure both Bluetooth and Location Services are on.
- Restart your iPhone and try again.
3. Can’t remove previous owner’s Apple ID
- Contact the person who has the AirTag and request them to remove it from Find My.
- Tap the white side of the AirTag with an NFC-enabled phone. It will show contact if Lost Mode is active.
Apple can’t force a Pairing Lock removal—they are the only ones who did it and have that power.
💡 Tips for Buying or Selling Used AirTags
Make sure the AirTag is erased and not linked, and then the transaction will be pain-free:
- In your presence, a seller unboards the AirTag from his Apple ID.
- Proceed to create a connection between your iPhone and the AirTag before you pay the seller.
- Do not buy AirTags if the status is “Item Not Reachable” or the user name shown is not yours.
🛑 Found an Unknown AirTag? Here’s What to Do
In the case when an AirTag is found that is not your own:
- Refrain from doing so.
- Our tip is to use your phone to tap the AirTag’s white side and go through the contact info that will pop up.
- Try to hand it over to the owner, or if the owner is unknown to you, the local police.
- If no one claims it, you can take it to a place that recycles electronics.
If a person is using an AirTag that is found and is still linked to another Apple ID, this can be considered a privacy law infringement by some jurisdictions.
🔍 How to Spot a Fake or Tampered AirTag
Fake AirTags have reached a new level of prevalence. Be careful with:
- Packaging with mismatched or misspelled wording
- Low-quality material or colors that are not usual
- The serial number is not the same as in the Find My app
Always purchase from reputable sellers or directly from Apple.
📌 Quick Reference Reset Checklist
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remove from Apple ID via Find My App |
| 2 | Ensure AirTag is within Bluetooth range |
| 3 | Twist off the back cover |
| 4 | Remove & reinsert battery 5 times (listen for chimes) |
| 5 | Confirm different chime on 5th time |
| 6 | Replace cover and twist clockwise |
| 7 | Bring near iPhone to pair |
| 8 | Complete setup on screen |
✅ Final Thoughts
Doing a proper reset of your AirTag protects your privacy, keeps it running efficiently, and extends your joy of using it. However, unpairing from your Apple ID first, completing the manual five-chime restart, and confirming that the used AirTag is genuine are the most important steps to follow. I hope you got to know on how to reset AirTag, if anyone have query then ask them below.