Vanilla’s Power Pack adds decade to AirTag 2 battery

Apple’s new AirTag 2 just got a battery boost with an external power add-on that stretches its lifespan to a decade or more.

The AirTag 2 launched earlier this year with stronger Bluetooth range, a louder anti-stalking alert speaker, and better precision finding. But Apple kept the same replaceable CR2032 coin-cell battery found in the original model. That means most users will still need to swap the battery every 12 to 18 months. A German company called Vanilla has solved that problem with the Vanilla Power Pack, a thin lithium-ion sleeve that snaps onto the AirTag 2 and recharges via USB-C. The sleeve weighs less than a gram and adds only 3.5 mm to the tracker’s thickness, making it barely noticeable while delivering enough power for up to 10 years of continuous use.

Power matters because AirTags are often attached to keys, luggage, pets or even children. Owners don’t want to remember to dig out a battery every year, especially when the tracker is stowed in a bag or glued inside a dog collar. Vanilla says the sleeve also doubles as a protective bumper that reduces dings and scratches. Apple hasn’t endorsed the accessory, but the Cupertino giant has a history of allowing third-party battery solutions for its trackers. The Power Pack retails for about €30 and is available for pre-order now, with shipping planned for late July.

The add-on is a sign that even small, incremental improvements can extend the practical life of everyday gadgets. If other accessory makers follow suit, AirTag 2 owners could soon treat battery anxiety like a relic of the past. That matters because longer-lived trackers reduce e-waste and keep more devices in circulation rather than in landfills. It also pressures Apple to consider built-in rechargeable options in future models, giving users a choice between convenience and disposability.