TSA Confirms AirTags Allowed in Checked Luggage Despite Airline Battery Bans

The Transportation Security Administration says Apple AirTags—equipped with tiny coin‑cell batteries—may be placed in checked baggage, even though many airlines generally forbid loose batteries in the cargo compartment.

According to TSA rules, lithium batteries can travel in checked bags as long as they are housed inside a device and stay under a 100‑watt‑hour ceiling. The CR2032 cell powering an AirTag is far smaller, supplying about 0.03 watt‑hours, comfortably meeting the agency’s safety criteria.

Each airline, however, enforces its own rules that frequently prohibit spare or detached lithium batteries in checked luggage. Since an AirTag’s battery is sealed within the unit, most carriers view it as a built‑in part rather than a loose cell. Still, some airlines recommend travelers store tracking gadgets in carry‑on bags to prevent possible confiscation at security.

More passengers are turning to personal trackers to find lost bags, a trend amplified by the growing number of delayed or misrouted shipments. An AirTag transmits its position via Bluetooth to nearby iOS devices, providing an inexpensive way for owners to keep tabs on their luggage during travel.

Although the TSA’s clarification eliminates a regulatory barrier, travelers should still check each airline’s policy before stowing an AirTag in checked baggage. In reality, security staff might ask for the removal of any electronic item that triggers an alarm, and airlines can still deny carriage of goods they consider hazardous.

Experts point out that as tiny, battery‑driven trackers gain popularity, both security authorities and airlines could reassess their policies to weigh safety against user convenience. At present, the general agreement is that an AirTag’s modest power draw satisfies existing standards, letting travelers enjoy its tracking benefits without breaching TSA or most airline rules.