AirTag Not Working On iPhone? Here’s The Real Fix!

When you turn off your iPhone, the operating system shuts down all the little background programs that keep your iPhone running. When you turn your iPhone back on, all those little background programs start fresh, and sometimes that’s enough to fix a simple software glitch.

1. Press and hold the power button (iPhones without Face ID) or the side button and either volume button (iPhones with Face ID) until “slide to power off” appears on the screen.
2. Use your finger to swipe the red power icon across the screen from left to right.
3. Wait for your iPhone to turn all the way off. This may take up to 30 seconds.
4. To turn your iPhone on again, press and hold the power button (iPhones without Face ID) or side button (iPhones with Face ID) again until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
5. Let go of the power button or side button and wait for your iPhone to turn on.

If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, you may run into problems that could be fixed simply by updating to the most recent version of iOS.

There are two ways to update iOS on your iPhone: in the Settings app and by using iTunes.

Update iOS In The Settings App

1. Open up the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. If an update is available, tap Install Now or Download and Install.

Update iOS Using iTunes (PCs and Macs running macOS 10.14 or older)

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a Lightning cable.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Click the Phone button in the upper left-hand corner of iTunes (see image 3).
4. Click Check For Update.
5. If an update is available, click Download and Install.

Update iOS Using Finder (Macs running macOS 10.15 or newer)

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a charging cable.
2. Open Finder.
3. Click on your iPhone under Locations.
4. Click the General tab.
5. Click Check for Update.
6. Click Download and Install if an iOS update is available.

Turning Bluetooth off and back on again is sometimes enough to fix minor connectivity issues between your iPhone and Bluetooth devices.

There are three ways to turn Bluetooth off and back on:

In The Settings App

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Bluetooth.
3. Tap the green switch next to Bluetooth to turn it off. You’ll know Bluetooth is off when the switch is gray.
4. Tap the switch again to turn Bluetooth back on. You’ll the Bluetooth is on when the switch turns green.

In Control Center

1. Open Control Center by swiping up from below the bottom of the screen (iPhones without Face ID) or down from the upper right-hand corner of the screen (iPhones with Face ID).
2. Tapap the Bluetooth icon, which looks like a “B” made of triangles. You’ll know Bluetooth is off when the icon is black with a gray background.
3. To turn Bluetooth back on, tap the Bluetooth icon once again. You’ll know Bluetooth is on when the icon is white with a blue background.

Using Siri

1. Open Siri by pressing and holding the Home button (iPhones without Face ID) or the side button (iPhones with Face ID) until Siri appears, or by saying, “Hey Siri.”
2. To turn off Bluetooth, say, “Turn off Bluetooth.”
3. To turn Bluetooth back on, say, “Turn on Bluetooth.”

If you’ve tried all our other tips and your AirTags still won’t work, you may want to reach out to Apple about repairs. The most likely explanation for your problem is a hardware issue.

Whether your AirTag or the device you’re trying to connect it to is causing the issue, Apple will give you a free diagnosis and a quote for repair costs!

1. Visit your local Apple Store and speak to a technician in person.
2. Visit Apple’s Support website to find out about their mail-in repair options.
3. Call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800–692–7753) to speak with Apple’s Support Staff over the phone!

You can only connect an AirTag to one Apple ID at a time. If the AirTag you’re trying to use was once connected to another Apple ID, you’ll need to reset it before you can connect it to a new device.

1. Hold your AirTag in your hand with the battery side facing up.
2. Press down on the metal battery cover.
3. Twist the cover counterclockwise until it loosens.
4. Take off the battery cover.
5. Remove the AirTag’s battery.
6. Place the AirTag’s battery back in the AirTag.
7. Press down on the AirTag’s battery until your AirTag makes a sound.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 4 more times (you should hear the sound a total of 5 times).
9. Line up the tabs on battery cover with the three slots on the AirTag.
10. Press down on the battery cover until your AirTag makes a sound.
11. Twist the cover clockwise until you can no longer turn it.

Before you can use an AirTag, you need to pair it with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Once you confirm that you want to connect your AirTag with your iPhone, you should be all set!

1. Place your AirTag next to your iPhone.
2. When the AirTag pop-up appears on your iPhone’s screen, tap Connect.
3. Add a name to your AirTag. You can use one of Apple’s suggestions or create your own.
4. Select Continue if you would like to register your AirTag with your Apple ID.
5. When you’re ready, tap Done.

Find My does not turn on and off automatically. Making sure that Find My is currently turned on is a great way to ensure that adding devices to your Find My ecosystem goes smoothly.

If you want to add AirTags to your collection of Find My devices, you’ll need to turn Find My on for the device you would like to use to set up your AirTags.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Find My.
4. Tap Find My iPhone.
5. Turn the switch labelled Find My iPhone on.
6. Turn On Find My Network.

You cannot connect your AirTag to another device until you remove it from the protective plastic it comes packaged in. Before you try to set up your AirTag, make sure you’ve completely removed it from it’s packaging.

1. Remove your AirTag from the box it comes in.
2. Peel the plastic cover from the surface of your AirTag.
3. Pull the plastic battery tab out of the AirTag to activate the battery. Your AirTag will make a noise when you do this.

In order to use cellular data, a switch in the Settings app of your iPhone needs to be turned on. If it was turned off accidentally, your iPhone won’t use cellular data.

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Make sure the switch next to Cellular Data is turned on. You’ll know it’s on when the switch is green and positioned to the right.
4. If the switch is already on, try turning it off and back on to give your iPhone a second chance to connect to its cellular network.

Turning Wi-Fi off and back on again can sometimes fix minor technical issues that may causing your problem.

There are two ways to turn Wi-Fi off and back on again:

Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again In The Settings App

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the switch next to Wi-Fi.
4. You’ll know Wi-Fi is off when the switch is gray.
5. To turn Wi-Fi back on, tap the switch again.
6. You’ll know Wi-Fi is on when the switch is green.

Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again In Control Center

1. Swipe up from below the bottom of the screen to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Wi-Fi  icon.
3. You’ll know Wi-Fi is off when the  icon is black inside of a gray circle. 
4. Tap the icon again to turn Wi-Fi back on.
5. You’ll know W-Fi is on when the icon is white inside of a blue circle.