Quick Verdict On Carry-On Tracker Rules
Seasoned travelers spent years attaching paper name cards or colorful ribbons and hoping airport scanners routed bags to the correct carousel. Bluetooth trackers changed that routine by letting owners watch a suitcase pop up on the Find My map in near real-time. The new freedom raised one big concern before every trip: are AirTags allowed in carry-on luggage? The reply from regulators on both sides of the Atlantic is a confident yes.
An AirTag runs on a CR2032 coin cell that contains roughly 0.109 g of lithium, far below the two-gram ceiling set by aviation rules. The battery also stores only 0.66 Wh, well under the two-watt-hour cap for installed lithium-metal cells. Those numbers keep the tracker in the “no special restrictions” bracket for passenger flights.
Table 1 – Regulatory Limits Versus AirTag Specs
| Metric | Apple AirTag | FAA / IATA Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Battery type | CR2032 lithium-metal coin cell | Non-rechargeable lithium metal |
| Lithium content | ≈ 0.109 g | ≤ 2 g per device |
| Watt-hours | ≈ 0.66 Wh | ≤ 2 Wh (installed) |
Why Regulators Approve Tracking Tags In Cabin Bags
The FAA treats low-power coin cells differently from bulky power banks or e-bike batteries. Installed lithium-metal cells below two grams travel in either carry-on or checked luggage without extra paperwork. Apple designed AirTags for keys, wallets, and headphones, so the gadgets already ride through metal detectors worldwide without special screening. The International Air Transport Association guidance echoes that stance by classifying coin-cell trackers as ordinary electronic devices.
Tiny Battery, Tiny Risk
Thermal runaway—the chain reaction behind laptop fires—needs plenty of active material to feed itself. A CR2032 cell lacks that mass, which is why lab tests show the cell venting harmless gas if crushed rather than erupting into flame. Airline safety teams still prefer keeping battery-powered items in the cabin where crew can react quickly if smoke appears.
Technical Snapshot
Each AirTag houses a three-volt cell rated near 220 mAh. Multiply amps by volts and you reach roughly 0.66 Wh. The FAA threshold for installed lithium-metal gear sits at 2 Wh, leaving the tracker well inside the safe zone.
Taking Apple AirTags Through Airport Security
Screeners see gadgets from curling irons to camera drones. A coin-size tracker rarely raises eyebrows, yet knowing the rules keeps the lane moving.
At The TSA Checkpoint
Place backpacks, purses, or laptop sleeves on the X-ray belt as usual. Body scanners do not detect a tag hidden inside fabric, but the X-ray shows a round battery. Officers might ask to inspect unfamiliar shapes, so clipping the tag to a mesh pocket can spare a manual search.
- Leave the battery installed; regulations already cover it.
- Avoid taping the cover shut; officers must see the cell if requested.
- No power-down step is needed because an AirTag transmits under 1 mW, well below cabin radio limits.
Carrying AirTags In Checked Luggage—Permitted Yet Cautioned
Many travelers slip a tracker inside a suitcase to follow conveyor-belt adventures. Lufthansa briefly tried to ban that practice in 2022, then reversed course once safety teams confirmed the low battery risk.
The FAA PackSafe chart permits installed coin cells in checked bags if the device is secure against shifting parts that could short-circuit. Apple’s twist-lock cap and rubber gasket meet that demand. Still, sliding the tag into a fabric pocket rather than under heavy toiletries reduces pressure on the battery case during rough baggage handling.
Comparing Tracking Tags For Cabin Bags
Competitors such as Tile Pro and Samsung SmartTag+ also rely on coin cells. A specification glance shows slight differences in lithium content and radio output. Table 2 lists the figures and cabin eligibility.
Table 2 – Popular Bluetooth Trackers And Carry-On Eligibility
| Tracker Model | Lithium Content (g) | Carry-On Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Apple AirTag | 0.109 | Yes |
| Tile Pro (2022) | 0.123 | Yes |
| Galaxy SmartTag+ | 0.113 | Yes |
Best Practices For Using AirTags On Flights
Regulators have cleared the device, yet thoughtful placement and upkeep guarantee useful location pings on arrival.
Placement Pointers
Slide the tag inside an interior pocket or clip it with a silicone holder to the suitcase frame. Aluminum shells on hard-side spinners can block Bluetooth, so choose fabric zones. A carry-on backpack usually lets signals pass through polyester easily.
Monitor Battery Health
The Find My app flashes a low-battery alert roughly a month before the cell quits. Swap the coin early—gate areas rarely sell CR2032 packs. Use a brand-name replacement with a child-safe bitter coating, then recycle the spent cell at an e-waste box. Store spare batteries in blister packaging and keep them in the cabin because loose lithium cells are barred from checked luggage under IATA policy.
Protect Personal Privacy
AirTags trigger unwanted-tracking alerts, yet owners can lend bags to friends by using “Share This Item” in iOS 17. The step removes false safety alarms during group trips and prevents gate-agent confusion when an alert pings the wrong phone.
What Happens If A Crew Member Questions Your AirTag?
Crew sometimes ask passengers to stow large battery packs after power-bank incidents. Explaining that an AirTag uses a coin cell lighter than a paperclip usually ends the chat quickly. Mentioning the FAA two-gram limit often seals the deal.
If a security agent still hesitates, show the PackSafe entry on your phone or point to the battery label. The cell lists “CR2032” and its capacity, proving compliance. For extra reassurance, bookmark press releases like the February 2025 note where several carriers praised AirTags for lowering lost-bag claims.
Key Takeaways For Travelers
Apple’s tracker carries near-zero fire risk, meets global lithium limits with room to spare, and breezes through security worldwide. United States carriers and international lines that once questioned the gadget now welcome it in both carry-on and checked luggage. Travelers gain real-time location updates without breaking any aviation code.