Can Apple AirTags Go In Checked Luggage? | Quick Rules Guide

Why AirTags Are Allowed In Checked Bags

Apple’s tracker runs on a CR2032 lithium metal coin cell. That tiny cell sits well below aviation limits for devices in baggage, which is why regulators allow AirTags in checked bags when installed in the tag. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration lists “location trackers” with lithium metal up to 0.3 g or lithium-ion up to 2.7 Wh as permitted in both carry-on and checked bags; see the FAA batteries FAQ chart for the exact row. This threshold easily covers an AirTag and similar Bluetooth trackers from other brands.

If you want to confirm the hardware, Apple’s support page shows the AirTag uses a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell; it’s a 3 V, non-rechargeable battery. Check the steps on Apple’s battery page if you ever need to swap it. That detail matters because loose lithium cells can’t go in checked bags, while a button cell inside a tracker can ride in either bag.

Table: Tracker Types And Battery Rules

AirTags In Checked Bags: Rules And Reality

Airport security sees Bluetooth trackers every day. The rules target battery energy, not the act of tracking. As long as the cell inside the tag stays under the limit and the device doesn’t have a big rechargeable pack, the tag can ride in a checked bag. Some airlines post extra cautions, mainly for smart luggage with built-in power banks. That’s different from a coin-cell tag you drop into a pocket. If a carrier points to the standard guidance and you’re within the size limit, your tag is fine to check.

What about wireless radios? Bluetooth Low Energy transmits at very low power, and airlines already allow Bluetooth during flight. A tracker pings nearby phones and airport gear quietly; it isn’t a GPS beacon with a high-drain battery. No need to switch an AirTag into any special mode. It’s designed to sip energy while it waits to be seen by Apple’s Find My network.

Installed Cell Vs Spares

There’s a clear line: cells installed in equipment can ride in either bag when they meet the limits; spare or loose cells ride in carry-on only. That includes button cells. So bring spare CR2032s in your cabin bag, in the retail blister or a plastic coin-cell case that prevents shorting. Don’t tape a loose cell to the tag or toss spares in a pocket of your checked bag.

Bluetooth Settings And Power

An AirTag doesn’t need any switch before you fly. The coin cell lasts months because the tag sleeps most of the time and wakes briefly when it senses motion or receives a nearby ping. If you want to quiet the chirp, hide the tag under fabric or place it in the lining. Popping the battery out just to check a bag defeats the point, and the tracker allowance doesn’t require that step.

Placement For Reliable Tracking

Drop the tag where it won’t fall out or be crushed. Inside the lining pocket or a small accessory pouch works well. Metal can block signal, so avoid wedging the tag inside a hard case frame or under a dense metal bar. If your suitcase has a hidden pocket near the handle, that’s a sweet spot. Add a phone number or email to your luggage tag in case a staff member finds the bag before a phone passes nearby.

Taking Apple AirTags In Your Checked Luggage: Smart Setup

Name Your AirTag

Give the tag a suitcase-specific name like “Blue Roller 23” and add an emoji that matches the bag color. That makes sharing a screenshot crystal clear at the counter.

Share Tracking

Share the bag’s location with a travel partner who uses an iPhone. If a connection misfires, someone else can still see movement and update the claim with gate staff.

Enable Lost Mode Smartly

Lost Mode sends an alert if the tag appears in a new place. Turn it on once a bag misses a connection, not while it’s still moving through known steps like security loading, to prevent false alarms.

Reading Location Updates

Don’t expect a live dot in the sky. AirTags rely on nearby Apple devices. You may see a jump at check-in, a new ping on the ramp, then a gap while the bag sits in a metal bin. Once the aircraft door opens, pings return as phones wake up. If the bag didn’t make the flight, your map will show the origin terminal while you fly onward.

What To Do If A Bag Goes Missing

Show your map at the service desk and note the last seen time. Give the bag tag number and the AirTag’s label. Ask the agent to add those notes to the file. If the bag is at the wrong airport, staff can request an interline transfer. Keep notifications on, and when the tag appears in your arrival city, head to the baggage office rather than waiting by the belt.

Second Table: Pre-Check Bag Checklist

Misconceptions To Skip

“Trackers are banned in checked bags.” Not true for coin-cell tags under the published limit. “Bluetooth must be off.” Phones can use Bluetooth in flight, and a tiny tracker beacon isn’t treated like a phone radio. “Only Apple tags are allowed.” The rule applies to the battery inside the device, not the brand name.

When An AirTag Isn’t Ideal

Mailing a parcel or sending air cargo follows different rules. A tracker can still ride along, yet a carrier may require prior approval for any battery inside a shipment. If you’re moving high-value goods with a courier or freight forwarder, ask for their written policy on trackers before you seal the box. For regular passenger bags, the tag is fine in either bag.

Quick Links To Rules

For the hard limits on trackers and coin cells, check the FAA’s batteries FAQ chart and the IATA passenger guidance on lithium metal. For hardware details, Apple’s AirTag battery page lists the CR2032 cell used in every new tag.