Michael Turner
Short answer: devices with an installed CR2032 lithium coin cell are permitted in the aircraft cabin under current FAA, IATA and TSA guidance; spare coin cells must be transported in cabin baggage and protected against short circuits.
Battery specifics: typical CR2032 – nominal voltage 3 V, capacity ~200–240 mAh, energy ≈0.6–0.8 Wh, well below the 100 Wh threshold used for lithium-ion rules. Because this is a lithium metal/primary cell, industry regulations allow it installed in equipment in both checked and cabin bags, while spare cells are restricted to the cabin and must be individually insulated (tape over terminals or original packaging).
Airline and legal notes: most major carriers accept small location trackers in both checked and cabin bags, but policies differ by airline and country. For trips involving multiple devices or multiple spare batteries, notify the carrier and follow its declaration procedure. Some jurisdictions forbid covert tracking of people or vehicles; verify local statutes before activating a remote tracking device outside home territory.
Practical recommendations: place the tracker inside an inner pocket or sewn compartment rather than on an external tag, keep the battery seated and the firmware/app updated, store spare cells in a protective case inside the cabin bag, and mark the tracker with owner contact details. If security screening requires removal, presenting the device inside an accessible pocket speeds inspection and reduces the risk of misplacement.
Transporting Apple item trackers in cabin baggage
Place Apple item trackers inside a personal item or hand baggage and retain them on board rather than stowing in checked baggage when tracking during transit is desired; installed CR2032 coin cells (3 V, user-replaceable) are generally permitted inside devices, while spare button cells must be carried in the cabin and individually protected against shorting.
Practical steps
1) Keep trackers in a shirt pocket, purse, or other personal item to ensure continuous Bluetooth/UWB connectivity and to minimize risk of theft or tampering.
2) If asked by airport security to power the device down, remove the CR2032 battery: press the polished metal back, rotate counterclockwise, lift cover and extract the cell; reinsert only after screening.
3) Store spare CR2032 cells inside carry-on only, each in original packaging or taped terminals to prevent contact; do not place loose spare cells in checked baggage.
4) Add visible contact information to the device or its holder to assist recovery in case of loss.
Regulatory notes
TSA guidance permits small electronic items with installed lithium button cells in both checked and cabin bags, but IATA and FAA rules restrict spare lithium batteries to the cabin; policies may vary by carrier and destination, so consult the airline’s dangerous-goods page and relevant national civil aviation authority before departure.
Do TSA and FAA regulations permit item trackers in cabin baggage?
Yes – both the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration permit personal Bluetooth item trackers powered by CR2032-type lithium coin cells to be transported in cabin baggage when the battery is installed in the device; spare, loose lithium metal coin cells are allowed only in cabin baggage with their terminals protected (taped or in original packaging) and are generally prohibited in checked baggage.
Technical specifics: common small trackers use non-rechargeable lithium manganese dioxide coin cells (CR2032 or similar). These are regulated as lithium metal batteries under IATA and US DOT guidance; installed-in-equipment batteries present lower risk and are treated more leniently than spare batteries.
Practical measures for compliance: place the tracker inside the cabin bag compartment (not checked) when possible; ensure the battery is undamaged, the device is switched to normal operation, and spare coin cells (if carried) have exposed terminals covered. Airlines may require fewer spares or additional restrictions, so consult the carrier’s hazardous-materials or passenger policies before departure.
Damaged batteries, devices showing swelling, corrosion or exposed wiring must not be transported. If a gate agent or security officer requests inspection, present the device and its packaging; federal rules grant inspection authority for items containing lithium batteries.
For international itineraries, follow the departure carrier’s rules plus IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations – some foreign carriers apply stricter limits or require prior approval. When in doubt, keep the tracker installed in a personal item stored in the cabin and carry documentation (manufacturer specs showing CR2032-type cell) to expedite any inspections.
How major airlines (Delta, American, United, British Airways) handle Apple tracking devices in cabin bags
Recommendation: Store Apple tracking devices and spare coin‑cell batteries inside the cabin bag and keep the tracker accessible for security inspection; place the device in an internal zipped pocket to reduce loss risk and to permit inspection without unstacking checked items.
Delta: installed Bluetooth trackers are accepted in hand baggage. Spare lithium coin cells must be transported in the cabin and protected against short circuits (original packaging, taped terminals, or battery sleeves). If a device triggers a screening alarm or emits sound, airport security will request access; refusal can result in device removal or temporary confiscation until identity and ownership are confirmed.
American Airlines: personal tracking tags are allowed in cabin bags when batteries remain installed. Spare batteries are required in the cabin and must be insulated. For international flights, local regulations enforced by the operating carrier may impose extra limits; declare or present the device at the gate if staff request inspection. American’s Lost & Found processes items with registered IDs faster, so register contact details ahead of travel.
United: United permits installed tracking devices in hand baggage and directs that spare lithium cells be carried on board only. Secondary inspection is routine when an item causes an alarm; if a tracker is in audible Lost Mode or considered a crew distraction, inflight staff may request temporary power‑off prior to boarding.
British Airways: BA accepts Bluetooth trackers in hand baggage and recommends placing battery‑powered devices in the cabin rather than the hold. At UK and many international airports, security teams may remove devices from checked bags for separate screening; removed items are usually held by ground staff for collection at the gate or at Lost Property.
Practical checklist: pack the tracker in an internal pocket alongside small personal items such as a best folding umbrella pink purple; keep spare CR2032 (or equivalent) cells insulated and on the person; register contact information and enable Lost Mode before departure; comply with any airline or security request to power down or present the device. For technical background or unrelated reference material see which of these illustrates the secondary structure of a protein.
What lithium coin cell battery rules apply and how should you pack an AirTag?
Store the AirTag in cabin baggage with its CR2032 cell installed; spare CR2032 cells should remain in the cabin and never loose in checked baggage.
Regulatory specifics: typical CR2032 characteristics – 3.0 V, ~220–230 mAh (~0.66–0.69 Wh), lithium metal content ≈0.10–0.13 g per cell – fall well below the common regulatory cutoffs (≤2 g lithium per cell for lithium metal). Aviation authorities and IATA treat these coin cells as small lithium metal batteries, so they qualify for passenger carriage exceptions when properly packed.
Packing steps (practical): 1) Leave the CR2032 installed in the device whenever possible. 2) For spare cells, keep terminals insulated: apply a single layer of non-conductive tape over both terminals or keep each cell in its original retail blister. 3) Place each taped cell in its own small plastic bag or a dedicated battery case to prevent contact with metal objects. 4) Group spares inside an accessible compartment of the cabin bag for inspection.
Limits and airline checks: Although CR2032 cells are below the standard dangerous-goods thresholds, carry only a modest number of spares (recommendation: ≤2–5) to reduce the chance of additional screening or airline questioning. Airlines may apply stricter limits; verify specific carrier policies before travel if carrying multiple spare cells or large numbers of battery-powered devices.
Handling damaged cells and replacements: Do not transport cells with visible leakage, swelling, or corrosion. Use only undamaged cells in original or insulated packaging; if a replacement is needed in flight, hand it to cabin crew rather than stashing in a checked compartment.
Airport security: Expect security staff to ask for removal or separate presentation of the device and/or spare cells. Keep batteries accessible and provide taped/packaged spares for quick inspection to minimize delays.
Store trackers in a labeled cabin bag pocket, isolate signals during screening, and keep ownership proof ready
Follow the checklist below to minimise alarms, confiscation risk, and privacy complaints at security checkpoints and onboard aircraft.
- Labeling and documentation
- Attach a visible label with owner name and contact phone to the device or its holder.
- Keep a screenshot of device serial number/registration and the purchase receipt accessible on a smartphone or printed paper for inspection.
- Screening preparation
- Place the tracker in a clear pouch or small bin during X‑ray screening so officers can visually confirm a coin cell battery device without opening other items.
- If an officer requests removal for closer inspection, hand the item over promptly and point to the label and documentation.
- When a device is suspected of causing an X‑ray anomaly, remove it from dense packing (foam, metal cases) and lay it on the tray alone to avoid misidentification.
- Signal control and privacy
- Store the device inside a certified Faraday pouch or aluminium-lined pocket during screening to block Bluetooth/RF emissions until after security processing.
- Disable any companion app notifications on a passenger device that might generate “unknown tracker” alerts for nearby people; alternatively, temporarily pause tracking if the platform permits.
- Avoid attaching trackers to items that will sit next to other passengers’ seats or belongings to reduce accidental proximity alerts and resulting complaints.
- Onboard conduct
- Keep the tracker secured in the same cabin bag or personal item throughout flight; do not place on another passenger’s item or in overhead bins shared by others.
- If the device emits an audible tone during flight, notify crew immediately and be prepared to remove the power source or isolate the device in a Faraday pouch.
- If a crew member asks for proof of ownership, present the documentation and explain the device’s purpose concisely (theft recovery, high‑value equipment tracking).
- De‑escalation and interaction tips
- Respond to any security or crew queries calmly, present label + serial screenshot, and offer to power‑down or isolate the unit.
- Refuse requests to hide devices in others’ bags; voluntary transparency reduces likelihood of confiscation or formal complaint.
- Item‑specific advice
- For bulky or valuable gear (example: best welding umbrella), affix the tracker to an external, labelled strap or pouch so it can be shown without unpacking the entire case.
- When transporting tools or metal equipment, keep the tracker in a non-metallic pocket during X‑ray to avoid misreads caused by surrounding items.
FAQ:
Can I bring an AirTag in my carry-on bag on a plane?
Yes. AirTags contain a small coin-cell lithium battery and low-power radios (Bluetooth, UWB), and they are generally allowed in carry-on baggage. Aviation and security agencies treat them like other small electronic trackers or devices with button cells. Some airlines have additional rules, so check the carrier’s website before flying if you want complete certainty.
Do airport security checkpoints require me to remove an AirTag or take its battery out for screening?
Usually no. Security X‑ray machines screen bags and the AirTag will pass through without special handling. You may be asked to remove larger electronics (laptops, tablets) from your bag for separate screening, but small trackers are not typically removed. If a security officer requests further inspection, you can show that the device runs on a standard CR2032-type cell and demonstrate how the battery is seated. If a specific airline or destination authority has a different rule, follow their instructions.
Can an AirTag interfere with aircraft systems or be switched off by flight crews?
AirTags use low-power wireless signals that do not present a known risk to aircraft avionics under normal use. Regulators have not issued blanket bans on these trackers in passenger cabins. That said, cabin crew may ask passengers to follow crew directions about electronic device use during critical phases of flight. If crew or airline policy requires disabling wireless functions, put your phone in airplane mode; Bluetooth may still be allowed depending on the airline’s policy. If asked to power down portable electronics, comply with crew instructions.
Are there legal or privacy issues if I put an AirTag in checked baggage or someone else’s luggage?
Yes, there are privacy and legal factors to weigh. Placing a tracker into another person’s belongings without their knowledge can raise stalking and privacy concerns and could violate laws in some jurisdictions. For your own checked luggage, an AirTag can help locate lost bags, but checked bags are handled by many people and the device could be noticed or removed during inspections. Also, customs or security personnel in some countries may ask about electronic trackers in luggage. Best practice: use an AirTag in bags you own, inform travel companions if you track shared items, and consult the laws of the countries you travel through if you plan to track someone else’s property.
