How to Use AirTag: AirTag Instructions for Setup, Finding, and Reset

Bottom line: AirTag 2 is still easy to use, but some older instructions are now outdated. The core workflow is the same — set it up near your iPhone, find it in the Find My app, use Play Sound or nearby finding when it is close, and turn on lost-item contact details if you still cannot find it.

AirTag Setup

1. Remove the tab from your AirTag. When you remove the battery tab, the AirTag should make a sound.
2. Hold the AirTag near your iPhone or iPad, then tap Connect when the setup prompt appears.
3. Choose a name for the AirTag. If you choose a custom name, you can also select an emoji.
4. Tap Agree or Continue to link the AirTag to your Apple Account, then tap Done.

Current software note: To add the original AirTag, Apple says you need iOS or iPadOS 14.5 or later. To add AirTag (2nd generation), you need iOS or iPadOS 26.2.1 or later.

What to do if your AirTag will not connect

If your AirTag does not instantly connect, start with the basics Apple currently recommends:

• Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to a supported iOS or iPadOS version.
• Turn on Bluetooth.
• Turn on Location Services.
• For the most accurate location later, turn on Precise Location for Find My.

If the setup animation disappeared, press the side button or Sleep/Wake button on your iPhone to put it to sleep, then wake and unlock it again. Apple says to wait about 15 seconds for the setup animation to reappear.

If you are still unable to add the AirTag, make sure only one AirTag is near your device at a time. If needed, replace the battery or reset the AirTag.

How to reset an AirTag

Resetting an AirTag is useful when it will not connect properly or when it is being set up again after ownership changes. Apple’s current reset process is:

1. Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover and rotate it counterclockwise until the cover stops rotating.
2. Remove the cover and the battery.
3. Reinsert the battery and press down until you hear a sound.
4. Repeat the remove-and-reinsert process until you hear a total of five sounds. The fifth sound is different from the previous four and means the AirTag is ready to pair again.
5. Replace the cover and rotate it clockwise until it stops.

Important: Resetting the AirTag is not the same thing as removing it from the previous owner’s Apple Account. Apple says an AirTag can be associated with only one Apple Account, so if someone else used it before, they must remove it from their Apple Account first. Also, if you have AirTag (2nd generation), Apple says to wait at least 5 seconds after removing the battery before inserting it again.

How to Locate an AirTag on a Map

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the AirTag you want to locate.
4. If the AirTag can be located, it appears on the map and you see its location and timestamp.
5. If it cannot be located right now, Find My shows its last known location and the last time it was seen.
6. You can also tap Directions to open the item’s current or last known location in Maps.

How to Find Your AirTag by Playing a Sound

1. Open the Find My app.
2. Tap Items.
3. Select the AirTag you want to find.
4. Tap Play Sound.
5. When you recover the AirTag, tap Stop Sound.

If you do not see the Play Sound button, Apple says the item may not currently support that action in your situation.

How to Use Find Nearby / Precision Finding to Locate Your AirTag

1. Open the Find My app.
2. Tap Items.
3. Select the nearby AirTag.
4. Tap Find Nearby or Find, depending on your current Find My screen.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone can show direction, approximate distance, and sometimes a note if the AirTag is on another floor.
6. You can also tap the speaker icon to make the AirTag play a sound while you move closer.

Important: current Apple guidance says Find Nearby works on iPhone 15 and later, and environmental factors such as wall materials or objects between your iPhone and the AirTag can affect performance. If your iPhone asks for more light, uncover the camera or use the flashlight button if shown.

What to Do If You Still Can’t Find Your AirTag

If the AirTag still cannot be found, the next step is to use Apple’s lost-item flow.

1. Open Find My and select the missing AirTag.
2. Below Lost AirTag, tap Show Contact Info.
3. Enter your phone number, or choose an email address instead.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to add the message that a finder can see.
5. Turn on Notify When Found if you want an alert when the AirTag is detected again by the Find My network.

How to Use Siri to Locate an AirTag

If the AirTag is nearby, you can ask Siri for help. For example, say “Hey Siri, where are my keys?” if your AirTag is named keys. Siri can help you locate the item and, when applicable, help trigger the AirTag’s sound.