Apple says not to buy AirTag replacement batteries with bitter coating

Since AirTags were just released earlier this year and are expected to have a battery life of one year, it may still be some time before AirTag users need a replacement battery, but when the time comes to refresh, Apple is warning customers not to buy batteries with a bitter coating.

‌AirTags‌ uses coin-shaped CR2032 batteries, the size of which is easy to swallow. Some battery makers like Duracell have started putting a bitter coating on CR2032 batteries to keep children from eating them.

According to Duracell, hundreds of lithium button cells are accidentally swallowed by children each year, and these batteries can cause a harmful chemical reaction. The non-toxic bitter coating reacts with saliva and is intended to deter swallowing.

Like The loop points out, Apple’s AirTag battery replacement support document that was released earlier this month specifically warns against bitterness and says these coatings could prevent the battery from working.

Bitter coated CR2032 batteries may not work with AirTag or other battery powered products, depending on the alignment of the coating to the battery contacts.

Alignment of the coating with respect to the battery contacts is at issue, so to ensure that the battery will work, AirTag users should purchase replacement CR2032 batteries that do not have any type of coating.

Apple’s use of the CR2032 battery has been a problem in Australia, and some Australian retailers have refused to sell “AirTags” due to the easy access to the battery. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a press release urging parents to keep AirTags‌ out of the reach of children due to safety concerns regarding “accessibility and safety of the coin cell battery inside of the product”.

The AirTag’s battery can be accessed by pressing and twisting the attachment to open it, which ACCC says is simple enough for kids to figure it out. In addition to avoiding batteries with coatings, AirTag users should also make an effort to keep them away from children.