How to Reset AirTag

Learn how to reset an AirTag step by step. This guide covers removing it from your Apple ID, the physical reset process, and what to do if you found an AirTag that is not yours.

Resetting an AirTag is something you might need to do for a few different reasons. Maybe you are giving one to a family member, selling it, or you found one and want to pair it to your own device. Whatever the situation, knowing how to reset an AirTag correctly means the process goes smoothly and the tracker ends up linked to the right account. This guide covers every scenario clearly.

Step 1: Remove the AirTag from Your Apple ID First

Before doing any physical reset, you need to remove the AirTag from your Apple ID. An AirTag that is still linked to an account cannot be paired to a new one, even after a physical reset.

Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Items tab at the bottom.
Select the AirTag you want to reset.
Scroll down and tap Remove Item.
Confirm by tapping Remove.

The AirTag is now unlinked from your Apple ID and ready to be reset and paired to a new account.

If you are resetting an AirTag to use it yourself again, you can skip straight to the physical reset and re-pair it during setup.

Step 2: Physically Reset the AirTag

The physical reset clears the AirTag’s pairing data and prepares it for a fresh setup. The process involves pressing the battery cover in a specific sequence.

Press down on the white battery cover of the AirTag and rotate it counterclockwise until it stops.
Lift off the cover and remove the CR2032 battery.
Place the battery back in.
Press down on the battery until you hear a sound. This confirms the battery has made contact.
Repeat the press four more times, for a total of five presses. You will hear a sound each time.
After the fifth press, you will hear a different sound, which is longer or has a different tone. This confirms the AirTag has been reset.
Replace the battery cover by aligning it and rotating clockwise until it locks into place.

The AirTag is now reset and ready to pair with a new Apple ID.

How to Pair the AirTag After Resetting

Once reset, bring the AirTag close to your iPhone with Bluetooth turned on. Your phone detects it automatically and displays a setup screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to name it and link it to your Apple ID.

If the setup prompt does not appear automatically, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and make sure Find My is enabled. Then bring the AirTag close to your phone again.

What to Do If You Found an AirTag

If you found an AirTag that is not yours and you want to pair it to your device, the physical reset process above applies. However, there is one important thing to know: if the AirTag is still linked to someone else’s Apple ID, the reset will not work until the original owner removes it from their account.

Apple includes NFC functionality in AirTags for this reason. If you tap the white side of an AirTag with your phone (Android or iPhone), a website opens showing the last four digits of the owner’s phone number and instructions for contacting them.

If an AirTag is lost and the owner cannot be reached, Apple Support can assist with unlinking it from an account after verifying ownership circumstances.

Troubleshooting: AirTag Not Responding During Reset

If the AirTag does not make a sound when you press the battery:

Make sure the battery is seated correctly with the positive side facing up
Try a fresh CR2032 battery in case the existing one is dead
Clean the battery contacts gently with a dry cloth if they appear corroded

If the AirTag still does not respond after five presses with a fresh battery, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

The Short Answer

To reset an AirTag, first remove it from your Apple ID through the Find My app. Then open the AirTag, remove the battery, reinsert it, and press it five times until you hear a different confirmation sound. After that, the AirTag is ready to pair with any Apple ID. The whole process takes under two minutes once you have done it once.