Resetting an AirTag can be quite time-consuming and nerve-wracking. It is necessary if the original owner has unpaired the accessory but it was not within Bluetooth range at the time. We will show you how to do it below. A little tip: Be patient - seriously, be patient.
First of all, if you want to give your "old" AirTag to a friend or partner and have them set it up as their own, please do so when your AirTag is within Bluetooth range of your iPhone. Only then will unpairing and re-pairing be a quick, painless process. But now let's get to resetting the AirTag. If you unpaired an AirTag that was not near you at the time, it can only be used again if it has been completely reset.
Resetting AirTag: Step-by-step instructions
Before the new user can register the AirTag, he or she must complete the following steps to reset it.
- Press down on the polished stainless steel battery cover of your AirTag and twist the cover counterclockwise.
- The cover will rotate about a third of the way before it is loose enough to come off.
- Remove the cover and the battery.
- Now put the battery back in.
- Press the battery until you hear a sound.
- Once the sound stops, repeat removing and inserting the battery and pressing the battery.
- Repeat this step – remove/insert/tone – five times in total.
- Replace the cover by aligning the three tabs on the cover with the three slots on your AirTag.
- Press down on the cover until you hear a sound.
- Turn the cover clockwise until it stops turning.
If you've done everything right, your iPhone should recognize the AirTag as a new product and start the pairing process. If that's the case, you can pair the tracker again with your Apple ID or that of a friend. But be warned. If your iPhone ignores the AirTag, you'll have to go through the entire process again.
Please note..
As a reminder, resetting only works if the original owner has unlinked the AirTag and removed it from their Apple ID. This means that a thief cannot steal an AirTag and then simply reset it. And again, these steps are only necessary if the link was unlinked while the AirTag was not within Bluetooth range. This means that you can save yourself or other people this arduous process. Are you looking for suitable AirTag cases? Then take a look at Amazon. In our AirTag list you will find the trackers and accessories from Apple and third-party suppliers - enjoy browsing. (Image: Apple)