How to Connect & Set Up an AirTag Without the Plastic Pull Tab

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Learn how to connect a second-hand AirTag to your device

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: September 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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AirTag Pull Tab: What it Does

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Connecting an AirTag Without the Tab

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Removing an AirTag From Another Apple ID

Do you have an AirTag that you want to pair with your iPhone, but the AirTag doesn't have the tab anymore? Maybe you bought the AirTag used or got it as a hand-me-down, or maybe it's an old AirTag of your own that you just found. No matter how you got the tab-less AirTag, it's very easy to connect it to your iPhone without the tab. Keep reading to learn more.

Connecting an AirTag Without the Tab

Hold the AirTag close to your iPhone, then tap Connect. The tab is not needed to connect an AirTag to an iPhone or any other device. If the AirTag is unpaired out of Bluetooth range, you'll need to reset it before you can use it.

Section 1 of 3:

AirTag Pull Tab: What it Does

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This is to preserve the life of the battery while the AirTag is being shipped to retailers and sold in the store. You don't need the plastic tab to connect an AirTag to your iPhone; all you need is for the AirTag to have a working battery and to be within Bluetooth range.

Section 2 of 3:

Connecting an AirTag Without the Tab

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Your iPhone should be on the Home Screen.
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Tap Connect on the screen. Your iPhone should recognize the AirTag automatically.
- If you notice that the AirTag is registered to another Apple ID, you'll need to have that person remove the AirTag from their Apple ID first. Check out the section below to learn how to do this.
You can either choose one from the list or tap Custom Name to give the AirTag a name of your choosing. Tap Continue to move to the next step.
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Tap Continue, then Finish. This will register the AirTag to your Apple ID and add it to your Find My app.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, you can add the AirTag by opening the Find My app and tapping the "+" button, then selecting Add AirTag.

Section 3 of 3:

Removing an AirTag From Another Apple ID

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Open the Find My app. If you got your AirTag second-hand or as a hand-me-down, the AirTag may still be connected to the original owner's Apple ID. The original owner must remove the AirTag from their ID before you can use it.
- Have the AirTag's original owner follow the steps in this section to remove their old AirTag from their device.
The Items button is at the bottom of the screen.
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Tap Remove Item. Follow the on-screen instructions to continue removing the item. While doing this, hold the AirTag close to the original owner's iPhone.^{[2]
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- If you can't hold the AirTag up to the original owner's iPhone, the original owner can still remove the AirTag. However, before you can use it, you'll need to reset it:^{[3]
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  - Remove the stainless steel battery cover on the AirTag by pressing down and rotating counterclockwise.
  - Remove both the cover and the battery.
  - After about 10 seconds, place the battery back in the AirTag. Press down on the battery until you hear a beeping sound.
  - Press down on the battery four more times (for a total of five times), pausing to let the sound play. The fifth sound will sound different from the first four.
  - Put the cover back on your AirTag.
  - Hold the AirTag close to your iPhone and pair it. Use the instructions above to complete the pairing process.