I thought replacing my AirTag battery with a rechargeable one was a good idea - it wasn't
Source: ZDNet
*Don’t use these in your AirTags!* – Adrian Kingsley‑Hughes/ZDNET
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### ZDNET's key takeaways
- LIR2032 Li‑Ion rechargeable cells **look** like the safer CR2032 cells, but there are big differences.
- They have a higher nominal voltage (3.6 V) but a much lower capacity (≈40 mAh).
- Several AirTags have been damaged by these rechargeable cells.
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I'm trying to remember life before [Apple AirTags](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirTag-2nd-Generation-Precision/dp/B0GJTXVN9Z). I used to misplace a lot of stuff and have torn my couch apart looking for keys.
Now I have AirTags on everything important that can get lost: keys, wallets, suitcases – even my bike.
**Also:** [I extended my AirTag's battery life to 10 years with this $15 accessory – how it works](https://www.zdnet.com/article/elevationlabs-timecampsule-10-year-battery-airtag-case-review/)
The only drawback of AirTag ownership is that I’m throwing out a handful of old **CR2032** button cells every year. It feels wasteful, but there’s no real alternative (you can power AirTags from **AA** or **AAA** batteries, but the devices become significantly bigger).
To address this, a local business that uses AirTags for holiday‑rental keys tried swapping the disposable cells for rechargeable ones. The idea seemed sound: LIR2032 cells are the same size as CR2032 cells, so they fit the same battery slot.
**Wrong.**
- **CR2032** (disposable): 3 V, 240 mAh.
- **LIR2032** (rechargeable): 3.6 V, ~40 mAh (six times less capacity).
- **LIR2032H** (higher‑capacity rechargeable): ~70 mAh – still far below a CR2032.
[Image: They might look the same, but LIR2032 are very different to CR2032 cells.]
*They might look the same, but LIR2032 are very different to CR2032 cells.* – Adrian Kingsley‑Hughes/ZDNET
At best, LIR2032 cells need replacement every **2–3 months**, versus once a year for CR2032 cells.
#### Other problems with rechargeable button cells
1. **Rapid, silent failure** – they can die quickly with little or no warning, leaving the AirTag (and the attached item) vulnerable to loss.
2. **Depth‑of‑discharge damage** – if discharged too far, they can no longer be recharged and may leak electrolyte, which can damage the AirTag.
3. **Improper charging** – can also damage the cells.
**Also:** [I gave my AirTag a 5‑year battery life with this accessory – and it took just minutes to set up](https://www.zdnet.com/article/elevation-lab-time-capsule-review/)All original content and structure have been retained; only the markdown formatting has been cleaned up for readability and proper syntax.
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Bottom line: although it’s tempting, I don’t recommend using these rechargeable cells in AirTags! I know it feels wasteful to have to put a bunch of CR2032 cells in the recycling every year, but it’s better than buying a battery that doesn’t last long, could die without warning, and could even damage your AirTags.
My advice instead is to use good‑quality CR2032 batteries in your AirTags (I recommend Energizer Color Alert cells, which have several safety mechanisms to prevent accidental ingestion). Keep the rechargeable LIR2032 batteries for devices that have them fitted from new (things like car key fobs and solar‑powered calculators).