Apple Rolling Out Updated Firmware for AirTags [Updated]

[gericb]

Mine are lasting well over a year. Probably closer to 2.

Same here, mine have lasted well beyond a year, no sure what brand of battery I have in there. Interesting, on Tuesday, I had checked 2 of my AirTags and they were showing a battery level, while on 2.0.61 and in fact, showing red, then later in the evening, I though I might replace them, suddenly I see they were updated to 2.0.73, but now, no longer showing any visual battery level at all. Here today, gone today! LOL!

Not sure why pretty much every other Apple device you can clearly confirm the current battery level, but yet this device they seem to think despite it's importance, it's not necessary. I guess when you are in the middle of a great globe trotting adventure, they'd rather the battery die on you, or finally get notification of it needing to be replacement, but now you are somewhere that such batteries might not be easily available.

I'll have to assume, it's like most Japanese cars, when the tank show empty, even the digital gas gauge showing 0mi/km left, it does in fact have a surprising amount of reserve.

 

[kevinws]

My AirTag batteries last a year. I replace the batteries on Jan 1.

I will also review all my devices, clean up the old files, and remove programs/apps. I do this while watching the college football bowl games.

 

[Aves]

4 out of 5 updated to 2.0.73

 

[Kar98]

Same thing, key ring and backpack with me and updated. Car in parking lot not updated. Seems like proximity to iPhone has something to do with update.

Both updated now.

 

[SteveWex]

Hopefully fixes battery drain issues, I feel like I’ve been getting low battery warnings a lot more frequently recently.

No, you're just using rubbish batteries.

 

[Janschi]

No, you're just using rubbish batteries.

While that could be true. Some of us, including me, have faulty AirTags that Apple refuses to exchange. No matter what batteries, one of four AirTags lasts only a month…

 

[Mike Wolf]

Had to switch to Energizer cells in the UK. The Duracell ones come with a total bitrex coating and you have to spend ages scraping that crap off for them to make contact for the things to register

I remember reading all about this and basically it was realized by some that since it’s intended to give a bitter taste that all someone needed was saliva and a sponge and wipe it away since saliva as enzymes that water doesn’t have.

 

[Mike Wolf]

What I REALLY want is the ability for another user to ACCEPT that a AIRTAG is “tracking” them, so it doesn’t show up constantly as an ALERT.. My SO and I have five airtags, one on her purse that I can track - purposely!.. and it always shows up on HER phone as “an airtag MAY BE tracking you!” ALERT

That’s a setting. If they get alerted that they’re being tracked there’s an option to silence the alerts. https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/turn-off-airtag-item-safety-alerts/

 

[Mike Wolf]

We’ve been using the Duracell Procell batteries and they’ve lasted for many months, if not years.

These are Duracell’s professional line. Can’t confirm about any coating, but they last a long time and worked instantly.

Unfortunately, I’ve only ever seen them on B&H Photo. Currently a 20-pack for $16, though not expensive enough to qualify for free shipping.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=1653093&is=REG

They are just a chore to get out of the packaging and have a sticker you need to remove.

I wanted to chime in and confirm they too have the bitter coating.
The reason why Duracell and Procell last so long is because of their high mAh rating. The Duracells have a rating of 255mAh and the ProCells have a rating of 260mAh. I came across this site that gives the battery ratings https://www.mouser.com/c/power/batteries/coin-cell-battery/?q=Cr2032&battery size=CR2032

 

[Mike Wolf]

Looks like energizer is getting into the game with the bitter taste protection. https://energizer.com/3in1childshield/