LOST AND FOUND New AA-powered AirTag case promises 10-year lifespan Aluminum AirTag case replaces coin cell with 2 AA Lithium batteries for extended lifespan. Benj Edwards Dec 20, 2024 12:23 pm | 24 A photo of the TimeCapsule, which purportedly extends AirTag battery life with AA batteries. Credit: Elevation Lab A photo of the TimeCapsule, which purportedly extends AirTag battery life with AA batteries. Credit: Elevation Lab Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreOn Wednesday, a startup announced TimeCapsule, a new $20 battery case purported to extend Apple AirTag battery life from one year to 10 years. The product replaces the standard CR2032 coin cell battery in the Bluetooth-based location tracker with two AA batteries to provide extended power capacity.The TimeCapsule case, created by Elevation Lab, requires users to remove their AirTag's original back plate and battery, then place the Apple device onto contact points inside the waterproof enclosure. The company recommends using Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries, which it claims provide 14 times more power capacity than the stock coin cell battery configuration.The CNC-machined aluminum case is aimed at users who place AirTags in vehicles, boats, or other applications where regular battery changes prove impractical. The company sells the TimeCapsule through its website and Amazon. A photo of the TimeCapsule, which purportedly extends AirTag battery life with AA batteries. Credit: Elevation Lab As related on the TimeCapsule's product page, the add-on case reportedly emerged after its inventor lost camera equipment to theft, discovering their AirTag had died months earlier due to a depleted battery. This experience led to the development of a longer-lasting power solution for the tracking devices.It's important to note that we cannot verify these battery life claims without independent testing, but using larger lithium batteries to extend lifespan makes technical sense. The company has not released detailed technical specifications about power consumption rates or testing methodology, but we've ordered a unit to test ourselves.Build your own battery extension?On an interesting Hacker News thread, the TimeCapsule device sparked discussion about balancing convenience with size. While the TimeCapsule's larger form factor makes it impractical for keys or pet tags, some users pointed out specific use cases where the extended battery life may outweigh size concerns (such as in bags or vehicles). A photo of the TimeCapsule, which purportedly extends AirTag battery life with AA batteries. Credit: Elevation Lab Some worried that TimeCapsule might make stalking easier, while multiple commenters questioned the anti-theft applications, noting that AirTags alert nearby iPhones when separated from their ownera privacy feature that also serves as an anti-stalking measure. Android phones also now detect nearby AirTags by default after a 2023 system update.Other commenters pointed out that handy do-it-yourself types could potentially build a similar device using dummy CR2032 extensions that lead to external battery packs. Either way, it's an interesting hack that could potentially make AirTags more useful in some scenarios.Benj EdwardsSenior AI ReporterBenj EdwardsSenior AI Reporter Benj Edwards is Ars Technica's Senior AI Reporter and founder of the site's dedicated AI beat in 2022. He's also a tech historian with almost two decades of experience. In his free time, he writes and records music, collects vintage computers, and enjoys nature. He lives in Raleigh, NC. 24 Comments