How to Factory Reset an Apple AirTag

Apple AirTags are designed with strict anti-stalking and privacy measures. Consequently, an AirTag is cryptographically paired to the Apple ID of its original owner. If you wish to sell your AirTag, give it to a family member, or if you have purchased a second-hand AirTag, it must be factory reset before it can be paired with a new iPhone. How you reset it depends entirely on whether the original owner’s iPhone is still within Bluetooth range.

Method 1: Resetting via the Find My App (Recommended)

If you are the original owner and your iPhone is nearby, resetting the AirTag is a simple software process that unpairs it from your Apple ID instantly.

1. Ensure the AirTag is near your iPhone and that Bluetooth is enabled.
2. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
3. Tap the Items tab at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select the specific AirTag you wish to reset from your items list.
5. Swipe up on the item’s detail card to reveal the full menu.
6. Tap the red Remove Item option at the very bottom.
7. A confirmation screen will appear detailing that removing the item will allow another person to set it up. Tap Remove again to confirm.

The AirTag will emit a distinct chime, indicating it has been successfully factory reset and is ready to pair with a new device.

Method 2: The Manual Physical Reset

If you bought a used AirTag and the previous owner removed it from their Apple ID while out of Bluetooth range, or if you no longer have access to the original iPhone, you must perform a manual hardware reset. This process requires removing the battery five consecutive times.

1. Press down gently on the polished stainless steel battery cover of the AirTag and rotate counter-clockwise until the cover stops rotating.
2. Remove the cover and take out the CR2032 battery.
3. Cycle 1: Place the battery back in. Press down on the battery until you hear a small chirp sound.
4. Cycle 2: Remove the battery again, place it back in, and press down until you hear the chirp.
5. Cycle 3: Repeat the process—remove, replace, press, chirp.
6. Cycle 4: Repeat the process again—remove, replace, press, chirp.
7. Cycle 5 (Final): Remove the battery one last time. Place it back in and press down. This time, the chirp sound will be noticeably different and louder than the previous four. This unique sound indicates the AirTag has been successfully factory reset.
8. Replace the stainless steel cover, align the three tabs, press down, and rotate clockwise to lock it in place.

Your AirTag is now completely wiped and in pairing mode. Simply hold it near an unlocked iPhone to begin the standard setup process.