How to connect an AirTag without the pull tab

Are you trying to connect an AirTag without the pull tab? If you don’t have this pull tab, it likely means the device has been set up in the past. You probably bought it used, or someone handed it down to you. Whatever the case may be, all the tab does is block the battery contact. You can still use an Apple AirTag without it. Let’s show you how.

Editor’s note: We developed these instructions using an Apple iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 18.1. Some steps may be different if you use other devices or software versions.

How to connect an Apple AirTag without the pull tab

You can connect an Airtag without the pull tab to a new device. You must first take care of a couple of things, though. An AirTag can’t be set up if it is linked to another Apple ID. This is a feature, and is meant to avoid theft of the accessory.

If the previous owner didn’t remove the AirTag from his Apple account, you will have to ask him to do so. Otherwise, the AirTag will be unusable. Not even a factory reset will help you.

It’s also important to remember that AirTags aren’t connected to the internet. This means the accessory cannot know it was unlinked from the previous account unless the original owner’s iPhone or iPad is close to it. If the AirTag’s previous owner removed the AirTag remotely, you will need to factory reset the AirTag. Then, you can go through the setup process with your iPhone or iPad.

Are you ready to connect an Apple AirTag without the pull tab? Let’s show you how to unpair it from the previous account. You can send this article to the previous AirTag owner if he doesn’t know how to do this. We’ll also show you how to factory reset the accessory, just in case you need to.

How to unpair an AirTag

You’ll need to go through this process to unlink an AirTag from your Apple ID account.

1. On your iPhone, launch the Find My app.
2. Go into the Items tab.
3. Tap on the AirTag you want to unpair from your account.
4. Scroll all the way to the bottom and hit Remove Item.
5. Confirm by hitting Remove again.

How to factory reset an AirTag

Again, if the device used to unpair an AirTag from the previous owner’s Apple ID isn’t around the AirTag, you’ll need to factory reset the tracker.

1. Locate the battery cover. It is the AirTag’s shiny steel part.
2. Press down on the battery cover and turn it counterclockwise until it can no longer turn.
3. Remove the cover, then also remove the battery.
4. Put the battery back in and press down until you hear a sound.
5. Pull the battery out, put it back in, and wait for the sound. This is a total of four more times. So, five times total.
6. The fifth sound should be different. This will indicate the factory reset has been successful and the AirTag is ready to pair to a new device.
7. Put the battery cover back in. To do this, align the tabs on the cover with the gaps on the AirTag, press down, and rotate clockwise.

How to set up your AirTag

Now, you’re ready to set up your AirTag! Here’s how to do this.

1. Get your unpaired AirTag within close proximity to your iPhone or iPad.
2. A pop-up window will tell you an AirTag has been detected. Select Connect.
3. Follow onscreen notifications to name it, then hit Continue.
4. Select an emoji, then hit Continue again.
5. Tap Continue again to link the AirTag to your Apple ID.
6. You’ll get a verification screen. Select either View in Find My app or Done.

When done, you can track the AirTag using the Find My app.

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