Why Your AirTags Keep Beeping (and How to Fix It)

AirTags use beeps and chimes to notify the user of various actions. Normally, an AirTag should beep when you’re trying to locate it with your phone. However, it can be alarming when your AirTags keep beeping for no reason.

If you have multiple AirTags in your home, the constant beeping can be quite bothersome. In this article, we will explore some solutions to stop your AirTags from beeping when not in use.

Let’s get started.

Understanding Why AirTags Beep

It’s important to understand that AirTags are designed to track items and they can only be linked to an Apple ID. At the moment, there’s no way to share AirTags without resetting and pairing them to a different phone.

Your AirTag could be beeping for several reasons. When setting up the AirTag for the first time, it’s normal to hear a few beeps and chimes. Afterward, the AirTag has certain beeps for a variety of actions.

Conditions when an AirTag will beep:

1. When an AirTag is out of Bluetooth range
2. When an unknown AirTag is moving with you
3. When you are searching for your AirTag with the Find My app
4. When you locate an AirTag moving with you

You can take a look at this video to learn more about AirTag sounds. In some cases, your AirTag will continue to beep for no apparent reason.

Let’s take a look at some ways to get your AirTag to stop causing a ruckus.

Fix #1: Turn on Bluetooth on Your Phone

Your AirTag will beep when it’s not connected to your phone via Bluetooth. If your AirTag can’t connect to your phone via Bluetooth for 8 to 12 hours, it will start to beep. The reason it beeps is to notify you that it lost the connection. The solution is to turn on Bluetooth on your phone. Once your AirTag connects to your phone’s Bluetooth, it will stop making noise.

If you place AirTags on your pets’ collars, you might hear them beeping. AirTags will beep when they detect movement. So, if your AirTag is paired to your partner’s phone, and they leave the area, it’s normal for the AirTags to start beeping. Stationary AirTags don’t usually beep without a good reason.

Fix #2: Remove and Re-Pair the AirTag

In some cases, removing an AirTag from your paired list and then pairing it again can fix the beeping problem. You also need to remove your AirTag from your device if you want to use it with a different phone.

How to Unpair an AirTag

1. Open the Find My app on your phone.
2. Tap on Items.
3. Select the AirTag you wish to remove.
4. At the bottom of the list, select Remove Item.
5. Confirm you want to remove the AirTag from your Apple ID.

From there, you need to pair your phone with the AirTag again. If the AirTag is near your phone, your phone should automatically detect it and launch the pairing process.

Fix #3: Replace the AirTag’s Battery

Your AirTag could be beeping because the battery level is nearly depleted. A notification should appear on your phone warning you that the AirTag’s battery is low.

How to check the battery level on AirTags:

1. Open the Find My app on your IOS device.
2. Select Items.
3. Tap on your AirTag.
4. Check for a Low Battery indicator.

Replacing an AirTag battery is relatively straightforward and they use penny-shaped CR2032 batteries. You simply need to rotate the front-facing side of the AirTag counterclockwise to remove the lid.

Next, pop the old battery out and insert the new one. When you place the panel back on, the AirTag should chime, indicating that it is back online.

Bear in mind, as of IOS 16.1, the battery meter of AirTags is no longer available. You’ll only be notified when the battery drops to critical levels.

Fix #4: Factory Reset the AirTag

If you’re at your wit’s end and your AirTag keeps beeping, factory resetting it should stop it. You’ll also need to reset an AirTag when you want to use it with a different Apple ID. Resetting an AirTag is relatively straightforward.

To reset the AirTag, remove the battery and reinsert it at least five times. Each time you you will hear a beep.

The fifth beep will be different and that’s when you know the AirTag has been reset and is ready to be connected to a new device.

Fix #5: An Unknown AirTag is Moving with You

While this might sound alarming, most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. An AirTag will beep when it’s separated from its owner and moving with someone who isn’t registered to it. It can be a little frustrating when you share belongings in a household and each AirTag is paired to a specific phone.

For example, if you transport luggage that has your wife’s AirTag on it, it will start beeping because it’s out of range of your wife’s phone. Another scenario would be if you leave an AirTag in your car and share vehicles.

If an unknown AirTag is moving with you, an alert should appear on your phone. The unknown AirTag will also beep, making it easier to find.

Fix #6: Remove the AirTag Speaker

Want to silence the AirTag for good? It’s relatively easy to remove the speaker from the AirTag. This is a good idea if you want to track an item but you don’t want anyone to know that it’s being tracked.

For example, if you are worried about something being stolen. Normally, an AirTag will beep quite loudly when it’s being tracked, which will alert the thief. Disabling the speaker will make it possible to track an item without alerting anyone.

How to Remove an AirTag Speaker

1. Twist the metallic plate counter-clockwise and remove it.
2. Take out the battery.
3. Use a sharp tool such as an X-acto blade to pry open the sides of the AirTag.
4. Pop out the circular disc in the middle; that’s the speaker.
5. Reconnect the panels and re-insert the battery.

To make things easier, we recommend following this video tutorial. Keep in mind, you can always re-attach the speaker later on. This DIY hack is great for tracking things like bicycles, cars, and equipment. You can also place one of these muted AirTags in your wallet.

Fix #7: Update Your AirTag’s Firmware

A software issue could be causing your AirTag to continuously beep. Your AirTags should automatically update but only if they’re within range of your phone. So, to force your AirTag to update, keep it close to your phone, and make sure it’s connected via Bluetooth. Eventually, the AirTag will update to the latest firmware.

To check the AirTag’s firmware version, open the Find My app, go to Items, and tap on the battery icon to reveal the serial number and firmware version. Unfortunately, there’s no way to manually force an update on your AirTag.

Wrap Up

AirTags are handy gadgets, but the constant beeps can be bothersome. Once you understand how AirTags work and why they beep, you can arrange them in a way that won’t bother you.

The most important point to remember is an AirTag will beep when it’s moving and not connected to the host phone. If you want to completely mute an AirTag, you can remove the AirTag’s internal speaker.