Buzz
Learn how to connect a previously used AirTag to your device
If you have an AirTag you'd like to pair with your iPhone, but it's missing the tab, you're in the right place. Whether it’s a second-hand AirTag, a hand-me-down, or one that’s just been sitting around, connecting it to your iPhone without the tab is straightforward. Keep reading to discover how to make it work without the tab.
How to Connect an AirTag Without the Tab
Simply bring the AirTag close to your iPhone and tap Connect. The tab isn't required to link an AirTag to your device. If the AirTag is out of Bluetooth range or still unpaired, you'll need to reset it before pairing.
Steps to Connect
What the AirTag Pull Tab Does
The pull tab on an AirTag prevents the battery from making contact with the battery terminals. This serves to conserve battery life while the AirTag is in transit to retailers or sitting on store shelves. You don’t need the plastic tab to connect an AirTag to your iPhone; just ensure the AirTag has a functional battery and is within Bluetooth range.
How to Connect an AirTag Without the Tab
Bring the AirTag close to your iPhone. Make sure your iPhone is on the Home Screen for the connection process.
Tap Connect on the display. Your iPhone should automatically detect the AirTag.
- If you see that the AirTag is linked to a different Apple ID, you’ll need to ask the previous owner to remove it from their account. Refer to the section below for more details on how to do this.
Give your AirTag a name. You can either select from the pre-set options or tap Custom Name to assign your own name. Once you're done, tap Continue to proceed to the next step.
Tap Continue, then Finish. This will link the AirTag to your Apple ID and add it to your Find My app.
- Alternatively, you can add it by opening the Find My app, tapping the "+" button, and selecting Add AirTag.
How to Remove an AirTag from Another Apple ID
Launch the Find My app. If the AirTag is second-hand or a hand-me-down, it may still be associated with the previous owner's Apple ID. In this case, the original owner will need to remove the AirTag from their account before it can be used by you.
- Ask the previous owner to follow the instructions in this section to remove the AirTag from their Apple ID.
Tap Items, then select the AirTag. You’ll find the Items button at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Remove Item. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the item removal process, keeping the AirTag close to the original owner’s iPhone.
- If you are unable to bring the AirTag near the original owner’s iPhone, the previous owner can still remove it, but you’ll need to reset it before pairing it with your own device:
- Press down on the stainless steel battery cover and rotate it counterclockwise to remove.
- Take out the cover and the battery.
- Wait for about 10 seconds before reinserting the battery. Press the battery down until you hear a beep.
- Press down on the battery four more times (making five total presses), allowing each beep to sound. The final beep will sound different from the first four.
- Replace the cover on the AirTag.
- Place the AirTag close to your iPhone and follow the steps above to finish pairing it.
