AirTags Not Connecting: Troubleshooting Tips

Have you ever seen a message on your iPhone saying, “AirTags not reachable; move around to connect” while trying to locate your stuff? It happens when your phone struggles to connect to the AirTags using the Find My app. 

But don’t sweat it; there are reasons why this happens–It could be a distance problem, Find My App glitches, or a battery issue. When these problems arise, you can fix them by restarting the Find My app, rebooting your iPhone, deleting and re-adding AirTags, or more! 

But Knowing what’s causing this will help us figure out how to make it reachable again. So, let’s dive into the reasons plus solutions and get your AirTag working smoothly again!

Reasons Why AirTags Are Not Reachable

If your iPhone shows the message “AirTag not reachable, move around to connect,” it means your phone is having difficulty connecting to your AirTag. This happens when you use the Find My app to find something you’ve misplaced. So, Let’s talk about why this issue might be occurring.

Too Far Away

If your Airtag is far away for a long time–they can’t be tracked. It needs to be near your device using Bluetooth to show where it is. If you can’t find it, try going to different places to see if it gets close enough to be found again.

Dead AirTag Battery

The reason could be that your Airtags have run out of battery. Open the Find My app on your iPhone to view the current battery level. If it’s low, just swap it out with a new CR2032 battery.

Issues with Find My App

Sometimes, Find My App might have crashed. For that, Attempt to exit the app and then relaunch it. Or, You can reboot your device and try once more. Ensure your Airtag stays close to your device via Bluetooth to stay connected. The last option is to reset your Airtag and set it up again in the Find My app.

Malfunctioning AirTag

Another reason is damaged, cracked, or broken Airtags. This could make it difficult for you to find your things using the AirTag.

iPhone Or Software Issue

If you notice issues like “AirTag not reachable” on your iPhone, it might be due to a firmware update. Check Apple’s official AirTag Firmware update page regularly to see the latest fixes and updates. Furthermore, a slight problem with your iPhone can cause this error, causing you to move around to reconnect the AirTag.

Fixing Issues with Unreachable AirTags

Now that you understand what leads to this error, let’s focus on solutions. Since there are various reasons behind this error message, the fixes will vary based on what’s causing the problem. So, without delay, let’s dive into the solutions!

Close and Open Find My App Again

If your AirTag shows “AirTag Not Reachable,” it might not be the AirTag’s fault, but the Find My app on your iPhone could have a glitch. Sometimes, apps act up and don’t track devices properly. To fix this, close the Find My app, wait a bit, then open it again. On your iPhone, swipe up from the bottom or double-tap the home button, then swipe up to close the Find My app. After that, reopen the app and see if you can find your AirTag. If the issue continues, try other ways to fix it.

Reboot Your iPhone

Sometimes, if your AirTag isn’t connecting properly, closing and reopening the Find My app might help. But If the first suggestion doesn’t help, try restarting your iPhone. Many people have solved the problem of their AirTag not connecting by doing this. 

To reboot your iPhone, begin by pressing the side button with either the volume down button or the home button (for iPhones with a home button). Maintain this hold for a while. Slide to power off your iPhone, then after a short pause, press and hold the side button again to restart it.

Delete AirTag from Find My, Then Add it Back

Try this fix if your AirTag says “AirTag Not Reachable,” even when it’s right there. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, select “Items,” find your AirTag, and remove it. Then, bring the AirTag near your iPhone and follow the on-screen steps to add it back in Find My. This might help if the problem occurred after changing the AirTag’s battery, as some users have experienced.

Try Moving for a Better Connection

If you still see an “AirTag Not Reachable” message, try moving around physically to reconnect it. AirTag uses Bluetooth to connect with nearby Apple devices, like iPhones and MacBooks, to share its location with the Find My app. Remember, someone with an Apple device must be within about 30 feet of your AirTag for it to appear on Find My. This setup helps the AirTag’s battery last up to a year because it uses a low-power Bluetooth signal instead of GPS.

Activate Lost Mode

If you lose your AirTag and can’t find it, use Lost Mode through the Find My app on your iPhone. Turn on Lost Mode by adding a phone number, email, and concise message. When a device gets near your lost AirTag, it sends info to Apple.

Launch the Find My App on iPhone and begin by tapping on “Items” found in the lower section. Then, identify your AirTag and opt for the “Enable” feature within the Lost Mode settings. Input your contact information, and this action will activate Lost Mode for your AirTag.

Turn Off and On Bluetooth

An AirTag relies on Bluetooth to find its location. Bluetooth issues on your iPhone or AirTag might cause the AirTag to malfunction. To solve minor Bluetooth problems, try switching Bluetooth off and on again. Go to Settings, select Bluetooth, and turn the switch off. Then, turn it on again to restart Bluetooth.

Change the AirTag Battery

If your AirTag shows a “not reachable” error, it might be due to a low battery. To fix this, buy a new CR2032 battery after checking the battery status on the “Find My” app. If it says “Low Battery,” get a replacement. Once you have the new battery, open the AirTag, swap the old battery with the new one (ensure the + sign faces up), close the AirTag, and try finding it again using the app. This should resolve the issue and connect your AirTag without any errors.

Factory Reset your AirTag

You should reset your AirTag if it isn’t working right. Here’s what to do: twist open the back, take out the battery, put it back in four times (you’ll hear the beep change on the fifth time), then close the lid again. That should reset it and hopefully fix any issues.