How to Reset Your Apple AirTag: A Step-by-Step Guide
Apple AirTags are excellent for tracking your belongings and are simple to set up. However, if you want to sell, give away, or reassign an AirTag that’s already linked to your Apple ID, you must first properly remove it from your account and reset it. Here’s how to do it.
How to Remove an AirTag from Your Apple Account
If the AirTag is nearby, you can easily remove it from your account via the Find My app:
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Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
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Go to the Devices tab.
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Select the AirTag you wish to remove.
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Swipe up on the information card and tap Remove Item.
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Confirm by tapping Remove.
Important Note: If the AirTag is not in Bluetooth range when you remove it from your account, you must perform a manual hardware reset before it can be paired with a new device.
How to Manually Reset an Apple AirTag
Follow these physical steps to factory reset your AirTag:
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Press down on the stainless steel battery cover and rotate it counterclockwise until it stops.
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Remove the cover and take out the coin-cell battery.
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Place the battery back into the compartment.
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Press down firmly on the battery until you hear a sound. This indicates the battery has made contact.
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Repeat steps 2-4 four more times (remove battery, reinsert, press until you hear a sound). You will hear a sound each time.
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On the fifth time, the sound you hear will be different, confirming the reset is complete.
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Once reset, replace the cover, press down, and rotate it clockwise until it locks.
Your AirTag is now ready to be paired with a new iPhone.
What to Do If You Find a Lost AirTag
If you find an AirTag that isn’t yours, you can help reunite it with its owner. If you have an iPhone or an Android with the “Tracker Detect” app, simply hold the top of your phone near the white side of the AirTag. A notification should appear with instructions to view the serial number and, if the owner has marked it as lost, their contact information.
