10 Fixes AirTag Not working with iPhone, iPad (iOS 17)

If you can’t set up or connecting your AirTag with the supported Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, it means you are not alone with airtag problems. Several brand new Airtag users are also facing similar issues that you have ongoing with you. In short, two main reasons are possible behind this either Software glitch Or hardware fault (Airtag battery died, Airtag speaker damage, internal circuit short, etc.) should be.

We are here with a bunch of ideas that will fix your Airtag not working issue. I hope you will follow each clue one by one and re-check that an airtag problem is resolved or not.

IN THIS ARTICLE

if Airtag is Missing in Find My after iOS 17 update, please install the latest iOS to get back Airtag into Find My App on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

So let’s Start,

10 Ways to Fix Apple AirTag Not Working problems

1. Force Restart Device

Since your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to pair with AirTag, and it isn’t working, you should start troubleshooting the device first. Many minor bugs and software crash quickly gets resolved by just force restarting the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

iPhone 8 or Newer Models/iPad without Home button:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down buttons.
Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 7, 7 Plus:

Press and hold the Volume Down button and Power button until the Apple logo displays.

For iPhone 6S, 6SPlus, or Earlier/iPad with Home button:

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Home button until the Apple logo shows up.

For iPod Touch (7th Generation):

Press and hold the Volume down button and Top button until the Apple logo shows up.

For iPod Touch (6th Generation):

Press and hold the Home button and Top button until the Apple logo appears.

2. Re-Enable Bluetooth

AirTag relies on Bluetooth connectivity when paired with Apple devices, which means Bluetooth is the bridge between the Apple devices and AirTag. If there’s something wrong with it, AirTag won’t connect to iPhone or iPad, or iPod Touch.

On top of that, when AirTag keeps disconnecting, then also disabling and enabling the Bluetooth comes in handy.

Open the Settings app on your iOS or iPadOS.
Tap on Bluetooth.
Toggle Off Bluetooth.
Close the Settings app.
And again, follow the same steps to toggle On Bluetooth.

3. Check Internet Connection

To connect AirTag with iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, the device must be connected to stable Wi-Fi or Cellular Data. Check the Wi-Fi Signal Strength or Carrier’s Signal Strength and if they are alright, then disable and enable the internet connection.

Toggle Wi-Fi:

Go to the Settings app.
Tap on Wi-Fi.
Turn Off the Wi-Fi switch.
After few seconds, re-connect the Wi-Fi.

Toggle Cellular Data:

Go to the Settings app.
Tap Cellular.
Turn Off Cellular Data option.
Turn On Cellular Data again.

You can verify the internet by launching the web browser and searching anything or stream YouTube videos; if results show up without lagging, your internet is just fine, jump to the next solution.

4. Update iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

AirTags isn’t compatible with all the iOS or iPadOS Versions. To use AirTag, the iPhone must be running iOS 14.5 or newer, and the iPad should be iPadOS 14.5 or newer; this is the only downside of having AirTag.

Before AirTag, the latest version was iOS 14.5, and just after iOS 14.5.1 was rolled out with bug fixes and few minor improvements. If you haven’t updated the device yet, then you might be missing the best part of the iPhone and AirTag. Connect the device to Wi-Fi and proceed with the below steps.

Navigate to the Settings app.
Tap on General.
Select Software Update.
Download and Install the Software Update if available.

5. Clean the AirTags

In the long run, the AirTags could be jammed up by dirt and dust, and due to the same, the Bluetooth connectivity between the device and AirTag is breaking. Just not with AirTag; this kind of problem is also encountered with AirPods, and the only way to fix it, clean the AirTag regularly or when you find dust on the surface.

Uncover the AirTags, remove the straps, if any, and also take out the AirTag if it is attached to any item. Using a soft piece of cloth, start cleaning the AirTag gently. Though the AirTag is IP67 water, dust, and splash resistant, you should do it carefully.

Get More here precision finding not working airtag

6. Reset Network Settings

Doing this will remove all the saved Wi-Fi passwords, Cellular Data settings, APNs, VPNs; however, the personal data, including photos, videos, documents, are safe.

Launch the Settings app.
Tap on General.
Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Choose Reset
Select Reset Network Settings.
Enter iPhone Passcode and confirm Reset.

7. Remove AirTag from Find My App

Like with any other Bluetooth device that doesn’t respond, we’ll ask you to do the same with AirTag. Once you disconnect the AirTag entirely from your Apple device, it’ll remove all the customized settings you’ve made, which could help AirTag connect the next time freshly. It would be great if you reboot the device after unpairing the AirTag.

Go to the Find My App on your device to which AirTag is paired.
Hit the Items button at the bottom of the screen.
Select the AirTag; you’ll see the name that is given to the AirTag.
Select Remove-Item and confirm Remove.

8. Reinsert AirTag Battery

Replacing the Battery of AirTag is like replacing the battery of the wristwatch. Apple has added CR2032 replaceable battery that can be removed without any technical support.

Push the AirTag’s stainless steel back surface.
Rotate it from right to left, and let it come up.
Remove the battery carefully.
Just remember which side was up, so while reinserting, you don’t do it wrong. Though, the Positive side should be up while re-inserting the battery.
Clean the battery with a dry cloth and reinsert it.
Gently adjust the battery and push down until you hear sound.
Lastly, cover the AirTag, put it back correctly, and rotate left to right.

9. Reset AirTag

In the end, all you can do is resetting the AirTag. There is no specific process to reset the AirTag, but the same one that we’ve mentioned above, which is to remove and re-insert the AirTag Battery. Earlier, we asked you to remove and re-insert the Battery total of 5 Times. Check Video Tutorial, Also Remove from your Apple ID [Open Find my App > Items > Select AirTag that need to Remove > Remove item].

Kindly make sure you hear the sound confirming that the battery is correctly placed inside the AirTag, and don’t forget to keep a count; only 5 TIMES.

Now, Setup again, Keep AirTag near to your iPhone to See AirTag setup popup on screen.

10. Do AirTags get software updates?

Apple is Frequently giving new software update for all apple device with important bug fix and incompatibility issue with Specific model or OS Version. So, you must have to check the latest firmware version as a time to go. But, How to check AirTag Firmware Verson? Let’s follow,

Open Find my App on iPhone/iPad or iPod. also, you can check on Mac that’s signed in with the same apple id.
See the Items tab and Tap on the AirTag name.
Next, Tap on the AirTag name on the Details page. And see the Serial number and AirTag’s Firmware version.
That’s it. Compare with the latest update announced by apple on the apple website.

That’s an automatic process. But sometimes Users have to update it manually by keeping your AirTag near to the updated iOS device.

11. Contact Apple Support

Still, AirTag not working? Airtag Hardware issue? check Airtag warranty Online and replace it free of cost. Then it’s time to contact the Apple Support Team or make a Genius Bar Appointment to save your time and get the AirTag checked. If you don’t prefer to visit the Apple Store, then use the Apple Live Chat, Phone, or Email support.