Can AirTags Be Turned Off?

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AirTags do not have a power button or software switch to turn them off. However, you can temporarily disable or completely deactivate an AirTag using several effective methods. These include removing the battery, unlinking it from your Apple ID, or disabling the Find My network for that item.

How to Disable an AirTag Temporarily

1. Remove the Battery

The simplest and most direct way to turn off an AirTag is to remove its battery. This immediately cuts power and stops it from transmitting any signal.

Steps:

  1. Hold the AirTag with the stainless steel battery cover facing up.
  2. Press down and rotate the cover counterclockwise until it stops.
  3. Remove the cover and take out the CR2032 coin cell battery.
  4. To reactivate it, reinsert the battery and twist the cover clockwise until it locks.

Once the battery is removed, the AirTag stops updating its location in the Find My network.

2. Disable via the Find My App (Unlink From Apple ID)

If you want to turn off the AirTag remotely or give it to someone else, you can remove it from your Apple ID. This disconnects it from your account and disables tracking.

Steps:

  1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the Items tab.
  3. Select the AirTag you want to disable.
  4. Scroll down and tap Remove Item.
  5. Confirm when prompted.

Once removed, the AirTag will no longer appear in your Find My app or update its location until paired again by another user.

How to Prevent Location Updates

If you don’t want your AirTag to share its location temporarily but prefer not to remove the battery:

Turn Off the Find My Network
  1. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Find My → Find My iPhone.
  2. Turn off Find My network.

This prevents your AirTag from using nearby Apple devices to update its location, though it will still be detectable via Bluetooth when nearby your own phone.

How to Mute or Stop Tracking Alerts

If you receive unwanted “AirTag found moving with you” alerts:

  • Open the alert on your iPhone and follow the instructions to disable the AirTag.
  • The app will guide you to remove the battery, which turns it off permanently until reactivated.

This is Apple’s built-in protection to prevent AirTags from being used for tracking people without consent.

When You Should Turn Off an AirTag

You may want to turn off or deactivate your AirTag if:

  • You’re selling or giving it to someone else.
  • You no longer want it linked to your Apple ID.
  • You need to stop sharing your location temporarily.
  • You suspect an unwanted AirTag is following you.

How to Disable a Found or Unknown AirTag

If you find an AirTag that isn’t yours and want to disable it:

  1. Hold it near your phone to open the NFC link.
  2. Follow the instructions on the webpage to identify the owner (if in Lost Mode).
  3. To disable it, remove the battery using the same method described earlier.

This will stop it from updating its location and sending signals to the owner.

Key Points to Remember
  • AirTags cannot be turned off through software or an app.
  • The only full method is removing the battery.
  • Removing it from your Apple ID or disabling the Find My network will stop updates.
  • AirTags are designed this way for security and anti-theft reasons.
  • For permanent deactivation, remove the battery or unpair the device from Find My.