Apple Removes AirTag Battery Level Indicator From the Find My App

[MacRumors]

In iOS 15.6 and the latest iOS 16 beta, Apple appears to have intentionally removed the AirTag battery indicator in the Find My app.

In previous versions of iOS, a small battery icon, similar to the iPhone battery status, appears below an AirTag's name and location when the AirTag card is opened in Find My.

While not accompanied by a percentage, the icon provided an approximate indication of the battery level of an AirTag, and when the level became very low, the battery icon would turn red and the user would receive a notification to replace the battery.

In iOS 15.6, the notification is still sent to the user, but the general battery level icon is absent unless the battery is critically low. This seems to be an intentional move on Apple's part, since the same indicator has also been removed from Find My in the latest macOS Monterey 12.5 and watchOS 8.7 updates.

Not only that, in an updated support document on how to replace AirTag batteries, Apple has also removed a specific reference to the battery icon in Find My, suggesting users should check for a Low Battery banner warning in the AirTag card instead.

Image credit: iCulture.nl​

Dutch blog iCulture.nl, which spotted the battery icon's absence, speculates that Apple has removed it altogether because of persistent problems getting the indicator to display correctly. In some cases over the past year, the battery would display as empty, when in fact that was far from the case.

So it seems that, going forward, unless Apple reverses the change, users won't be able to check on the battery status of their AirTags and will simply have to rely on a low battery notification when it's time to replace it.

Article Link: Apple Removes AirTag Battery Level Indicator From the Find My App

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I don’t understand the reasoning behind this change at all.

 

[sniffies]

Can't fix? Just remove it altogether.

 

[berrymetal]

I don’t understand the reasoning behind this change at all.

Maybe it's inaccurate?
Can't think of any other reason

 

[Useless Touchbar]

You need to get AirTag Pro for this feature

 

[HappyDude20]

So stupid Apple. Seriously why do so many things suck when they don’t have to?

 

[JosephAW]

The next generation will have a non-replaceable battery

 

[ELman]

Maybe people are getting battery anxiety causing extra stress in their life.

 

[darngooddesign]

I don’t understand the reasoning behind this change at all.

Which is better, no battery level unless its low or an inaccurate level?

 

[Canyda]

Not only that, in an updated support document on how to replace AirTag batteries, Apple has also removed a specific reference to the battery icon in Find My, suggesting users should check for a Low Battery banner warning in the AirTag card instead.

I don't understand what the bold text means. What AirTag card are they referring to?

 

[krspkbl]

baffling decision. what harm is it doing showing the battery level even if it's not low? it's good to keep an eye on battery levels.

ridiculous move from Apple.

 

[darngooddesign]

baffling decision. what harm is it doing showing the battery level even if it's not low? it's good to keep an eye on battery levels.

ridiculous move from Apple.

If the battery level is inaccurate, what useful information will seeing it tell you?

 

[krspkbl]

If the battery level is inaccurate, what useful information will seeing it tell you?

why are you assuming battery level is always going to be inaccurate?

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Delete

 

[krspkbl]

The next generation will have a non-replaceable battery

i wouldn't be surprised. when it runs out you need to make an appointment and take your little AirTag to the Apple Store and then you'll pay $30 for a new battery. Of course, if you bought AppleCare with your AirTag 2 then it will be replaced free of charge!

Instead of just letting use replace a CR2032 battery ourselves...

 

[darngooddesign]

why are you assuming battery level is always going to be inaccurate?

How will you know when it is accurate?

As PF said, inaccurate battery level display is the current assumption for its removal. You'd think Apple could figure it out but who knows.

 

[krspkbl]

How will you know when it is accurate?

As PF said, inaccurate battery level display is the current assumption for its removal. You'd think Apple could figure it out but who knows.

well in that case i guess we don't know if our iPhone or MacBook batterys are accurate. why not just remove the battery icon from them too? 🙄

the original post says the battery ICON sometimes doesn't display at all. not that it is showing an inaccurate reading. Except in the situation where it says it's EMPTY when it's obviously not.

so from that i assume that my AirTag battery level is accurate because I can see it and my Air Tag is working.

 

[antiprotest]

I don’t understand the reasoning behind this change at all.

"Dutch blog iCulture.nl, which spotted the battery icon's absence, speculates that Apple has removed it altogether because of persistent problems getting the indicator to display correctly."

The guess is because of Apple's technical incompetence.

 

[krspkbl]

A company as big as Apple should've been able to figure out how to make the reading more accurate by now if that's the reason.

Important to note, that is just speculation at this point anyway from some Dutch blog. Hardly evidence.

Their excuse will be "We don't make the CR2032 batteries! It's different from our iPhone and MacBook batteries which you can only get with our products. We need more control over the Air Tag battery so please buy the all new Air Tag 2 (with non removeable battery) from only $49! We think you're gonna love it 🙏"

 

[MrMetro]

I’m on iOS 16 b3 and I still have the battery meter on my AirTags.

 

[darngooddesign]

well in that case i guess we don't know if our iPhone or MacBook batterys are accurate. why not just remove the battery icon from them too? 🙄

iPhones and MacBooks have dedicated battery monitoring circuitry which off the shelf CR batteries don't. But it's probably also a difference in how AirTags communicate information. No one knows why it was removed so its just speculation at the point.

 

[assb10yr]

Time for class action lawsuit. Every member of the class will receive $0.00000001

 

[contacos]

You are telling me that they somehow managed to get the notification working properly (supposedly) but not a pretty basic battery indicator itself? Shouldn’t it both be using the same source???

 

[Grayburn]

It does come back when it needs replacing.

 

[StuBeck]

Same logic behind removing the firmware upgrade option for their headphones with a system that "just works"...and then needs to be replaced by a tool only Apple techs get access to 3 months later.