Lost Dog Rescue: A Tribute to Coin Cell Batteries
An Unexpected Visitor
My wife and I were sitting with our dog on our front porch one temperate spring morning in Washington, DC when an unfamiliar canine boldly poked its nose through the door gap. Well-groomed but clearly anxious, she wore a collar housing an Apple AirTag that had gone silent. Without hesitation, I retrieved a CR2032 coin cell from my garage workshop, replaced the depleted battery, and restored her link to the Find My network.
While my wife simultaneously posted to Nextdoor, Facebook, and our WhatsApp group, I handled the hardware fix. Two hours later, the doorbell rang: the grateful owner, guided by the AirTag’s renewed ping, had arrived to collect her pet. She vowed to swap the cell annually, highlighting how replaceable batteries can make all the difference in a critical moment.
Restoring the Ping: How Replaceable Coin Cells Saved the Day
Unlike sealed lithium-ion units, the AirTag’s user-accessible battery compartment accepts a standard CR2032 cell. This 3 V, ~225 mAh lithium-manganese dioxide battery delivers a flat discharge curve, supporting roughly 1–2 year operation at typical Find My ping intervals. Coin cells weigh about 3 g and fit within the AirTag’s 31.9 mm diameter housing, making them ideal for lightweight, low-profile tracking devices.
Battery Chemistry and Lifecycle
CR2032 cells combine lithium metal anodes with manganese dioxide cathodes, offering an energy density of ~270 Wh/kg. The rigid coin format simplifies replacement: a simple 1/4-turn of the stainless-steel back cover provides tool-free access. Users can maintain optimal device uptime by swapping batteries every 9–12 months, a practice that reduces downtime in critical tracking scenarios.
Technical Deep Dive: AirTag Hardware and Connectivity
AirTags integrate a Broadcom BCM20735 SoC supporting Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0, an Apple U1 Ultra Wideband chip for precision finding within ±5 cm, and an NFC antenna for tap-to-pair functionality. The internal PCB spans ~230 mm², with dual spring contacts maintaining power to the battery. iFixit’s recent 2025 teardown assigned the AirTag a repairability score of 6/10, praising its modular battery but noting glue-secured antennas and a press-fit speaker.
Security, Privacy, and Software Enhancements
When set to Lost Mode, AirTags broadcast rotating identifiers encrypted with AES-128, relayed anonymously through millions of iOS devices in the Find My network. With iOS 18, Apple introduced proactive chirp alerts if an unknown AirTag moves with you for more than 10 minutes. Android support via NFC displays a secure HTTPS URL containing owner contact info—an implementation vetted by security researchers at MIT’s Digital Trust Lab.
Environmental Impact and Repairability
Replaceable coin cells minimize electronic waste compared to sealed rechargeable units. According to iFixit’s 2025 Environmental Report, devices with standard batteries generate 25% fewer end-of-life materials. Apple’s new “Swap & Recycle” program, announced at WWDC 2025, offers free collection of spent CR2032 cells, enhancing circularity and reducing landfill load.
Future Directions: What’s Next for AirTags
At WWDC 2025, Apple previewed a next-generation AirTag Pro featuring dual-band BLE (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), Matter protocol compatibility, and an upgraded UWB engine with angle-of-arrival MIMO antennas for room-level accuracy. Industry rumors also point to NFC-based anti-stalking safeguards and compliance with upcoming EU Right to Repair regulations.
Best Practices for Pet Tracking
- Monitor battery health in the iOS Batteries widget and replace CR2032 annually.
- Use a secure, well-fitting pet collar designed to house AirTags and protect them from moisture and impact.
- Enable Lost Mode immediately after a pet goes missing, supplying up-to-date contact information.
- Consider pairing with GPS-enabled collars for areas outside dense Apple device coverage.
In the critical moments when a beloved pet disappears, simplicity and reliability reign supreme. The humble CR2032 coin cell ensures your tracking device stays alive, bridging the gap between panic and reunion.