Boost your AirTag’s battery life to five years with this waterproof case | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Boost your AirTag’s battery life to five years with this waterproof caseComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechBoost your AirTag’s battery life to five years with this waterproof caseA smaller version of the Time Capsule replaces the AirTag’s coin cell battery with a longer-lasting pair of AAAs.A smaller version of the Time Capsule replaces the AirTag’s coin cell battery with a longer-lasting pair of AAAs.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiDec 4, 2025, 4:00 PM UTCLinkShareIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Image: Elevation LabAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.Elevation Lab has announced a smaller version of its TimeCapsule battery-boosting case for the Apple AirTag. It’s about half the size of the original and uses a pair of smaller AAA batteries instead of AAs so the AirTag’s battery life is extended to five years instead of 10. It’s available now through the company’s website for $19.99, but discounted by half if you buy a four-pack for $39.99.As with the original, the new Time Capsule replaces the AirTag’s CR2032 coin cell battery with an electrical contact that delivers power from the AAA batteries. The company specifically recommends using Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAAs to maximize battery life and to avoid corrosive leaks given the device potentially won’t be touched for up to five years.The case makes the AirTag a little bulkier and heavier, but doesn’t inhibit wireless communications. Image: Elevation LabThe smaller version of the Time Capsule also carries forward the original’s robust IP69 rating protecting it against water and dirt ingress, and it’s made from the same fiber reinforced polycarbonate material that won’t reduce the range of Bluetooth or UWB signals. It does make the AirTag a little heavier — 1.9 ounces with batteries installed compared to .39 ounces for the AirTag alone —and it could be a little harder to find the tracker by ear as its audible chirps will be muffled by about a third.Installing an AirTag in the Time Capsule case is a simple process. 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Elevation Lab has introduced a smaller, more durable battery-boosting case for the Apple AirTag, specifically designed to dramatically extend its operational lifespan. The core innovation centers around replacing the AirTag’s standard coin cell battery with a pair of AAA batteries, leveraging a specially designed electrical contact to deliver power. This modification aims to extend the AirTag’s battery life from the original ten-year lifespan to a projected five years, a significant improvement particularly valuable for devices intended for long-term tracking. The company, Elevation Lab, recommends using Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAA batteries to maximize battery life and mitigate potential corrosive leaks given the device's potential prolonged inactivity.

The case, dubbed the “Time Capsule,” is approximately half the size of the original, making it a more compact solution. It maintains the original AirTag's robust IP69 rating, guaranteeing protection against both water and particulate ingress, alongside the material’s design which doesn’t interfere with Bluetooth or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals. Despite the enhanced battery capacity and protective measures, the Time Capsule increases the AirTag’s weight by 1.9 ounces compared to the AirTag alone, and slightly mutes the audible chirp by about a third, due to the increased bulk and the physical barrier introduced by the case.

The installation process for the AirTag within the Time Capsule is described as straightforward, facilitating simple deployment. The company estimates this solution offers substantial value to users who require long-term tracking capabilities, addressing the inherent limitation of the AirTag’s original battery technology. The design caters to users prioritizing extended operational periods and durable protection for their tracking devices. The core benefit lies in the dramatically increased longevity of the AirTag, achieved through utilizing readily available AAA batteries and a carefully engineered contact system. The elevation team aims for a product that provides peace of mind by reducing the maintenance and replacement needs of the AirTag, ensuring continued tracking functionality over an extended time scale. Furthermore, the increased size and weight should not impede the AirTag’s core functionality, which is its primary purpose – locating lost items. The price point of $19.99 for the single case, or $39.99 for a four-pack, reflects the enhanced features and extended lifespan, presenting a cost-effective investment for users seeking a durable and long-lasting tracking solution for their Apple AirTags. The innovation ultimately addresses a key concern with the AirTag, namely its limited battery life, offering a practical and potentially impactful solution for a wider range of applications.