Apple Says Don't Buy AirTag Replacement Batteries With Bitter Coating

[MacRumors]

Since AirTags were just released earlier this year and are expected to have a year-long battery life, it may be some time yet before AirTag users need a replacement battery, but when the time comes for a refresh, Apple is warning customers not to buy batteries with a bitter coating.

AirTags use coin-shaped CR2032 batteries, which happen to be a size that's easy to swallow. Some battery makers like Duracell have begun putting a bitter coating on CR2032 batteries to prevent children from eating them.

According to Duracell, hundreds of lithium coin batteries are accidentally swallowed by children each year, and these batteries can cause a harmful chemical reaction. The non-toxic bitter coating reacts with saliva and is meant to deter swallowing.

As The Loop points out, Apple's AirTag battery replacement support document that was published earlier this month specifically warns against bitterants and says that these coatings might cause the battery not to work.

CR2032 batteries with bitterant coatings might not work with AirTag or other battery-powered products, depending on the alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts.

The alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts is at issue, so to ensure the battery will work, AirTag users should buy replacement CR2032 batteries that do not have any kind of coating.

Apple's use of the CR2032 battery has been an issue in Australia, and some Australian retailers have refused to sell AirTags because of the easy access to the battery. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission sent out a press release urging parents to keep AirTags out of the reach of children because of safety concerns about the "accessibility and security of the button battery inside the product."

The battery in the AirTag is accessible by pressing and twisting the accessory open, which the ACCC believes is simple enough for children to figure out. In addition to avoiding batteries with coatings, AirTag users should also make an effort to keep them away from kids.

Article Link: Apple Says Don't Buy AirTag Replacement Batteries With Bitter Coating

 

[farewelwilliams]

kids are very dumb

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple should be selling the batteries for the AirTags.

Stay away from the batteries kids.

 

[jimothyGator]

I don’t have a young child, but if I did, I’d consider using a hot glue gun to make the AirTag a little harder to open. The glue is easy enough to remove when it is time to change the battery.

 

[jimbobb24]

This reminds me of the 1990s when people thought there were daycare satanic cults.

 

[dannys1]

If only population control was as easy as just giving kids CR2032 batteries.

 

[Theydonboi]

So Apple are suggesting you make sure you keep track of your airtags and ensure they aren’t left in a place where children can get at them?

Uh…isn’t the point of this that the AirTag is supposed to be tracking something that could be susceptible to being left somewhere?

 

[nikaru]

Cut your child fingers or use an AirTag...you choose!

 

[exmophie]

Maybe Apple should try testing their products more with variables like battery types before selling them to the public?

 

[Wildkraut]

“Apple is warning customers not to buy batteries with a bitter coating, kids may not like the taste!”

 

[velocityg4]

I only get strawberry and sour cherry flavored batteries for my kids. Are those okay to use in Airtags?

 

[EM2013]

AirTag users should also make an effort to keep them away from kids.

Biggest takeaway from the article.

 

[repoman016]

Apple should be selling the batteries for the Airtags.

Yea because we all know how awesome it is buying overpriced proprietary garbage to please the shareholder gods

 

[Truckondo]

We are missing the point of this. Only use Apple flavored batteries for AirTags.

 

[repoman016]

Maybe Apple should try testing their products more with variables like battery types before selling them to the public?

Samsung enters the room:

 

[Wildkraut]

kids are very dumb

Manufacturers are dumber, or they just prefer to walk over dead corpses to reach their revenue goals.

 

[jz0309]

kids are very dumb

I guess you never had any ...

 

[alexandr]

I only get strawberry and sour cherry flavored batteries for my kids. Are those okay to use in Airtags?

batteries or condoms?..

 

[alexandr]

Apple should be selling the batteries for the AirTags.

Stay away from the batteries kids.

that's actually a great idea — yet another market that apple can conquer!

 

[sparkinstx]

"CR2032 batteries with bitterant coatings might not work with AirTag or other battery-powered products, depending on the alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts."

It sounds like the battery manufacturers need to come up with a more elegant solution than just using a coating that could be an insulator. Maybe some kind of coating that's dielectric, with a bitterant? Or a mesh-like shell that's impregnated with a bitterant? I don't know, just throwing out some ideas here.

 

[NMBob]

Can't you just rub the batteries with some alcohol to get rid of the coating? Wait. I suppose you now need an EE degree to understand why this is necessary.

 

[B4U]

batteries or condoms?..

Both prevents the kids, right??

 

[555gallardo]

If you can’t protect your kids from eating batteries, you shouldn’t have children in the first place.

 

[LeadingHeat]

Apple's use of the CR2032 battery has been an issue in Australia, and some Australian retailers have refused to sell AirTags because of the easy access to the battery. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission sent out a press release urging parents to keep AirTags out of the reach of children because of safety concerns about the "accessibility and security of the button battery inside the product."

Does Australia also ban the use of car’s key fobs? Or wrist watches? Or other remotes? Huh.

 

[alexandr]

Both prevents the kids, right??

in different ways, but yes!!