Elevation Lab’s TimeCapsule transforms AirTag with a 10-year battery life

A third-party accessory from Elevation Lab replaces the standard AirTag battery with AA cells, promising over a decade of maintenance-free use , at the cost of increased size.

Apple’s AirTag has always been sold as a low-maintenance tracker, but one familiar drawback remains: the standard coin-cell battery still needs replacing about once a year. For people using several AirTags across keys, bags, luggage and bikes, that means a steady stream of low-battery alerts and repeated battery swaps.

A third-party accessory from Elevation Lab offers a more permanent workaround. Its TimeCapsule case is designed for both AirTag generations and replaces the usual CR2032 cell with two AA batteries. According to the company, that lifts endurance to more than 10 years and gives the case over 14 times the capacity of the original setup. Ars Technica also reported that the product is aimed at users who want to avoid annual maintenance altogether.

The case is built for long-term use rather than compactness. Elevation Lab says it has an IP69 waterproof rating and uses a fibre-reinforced composite shell with CNC-machined screws. Setup involves removing the AirTag’s back plate and battery, seating the tracker on custom contacts inside the case and then inserting the AA cells before sealing it shut. The company recommends Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries for longevity and leak resistance.

That extra power comes at a cost: size. The TimeCapsule makes the AirTag noticeably bulkier, which is unlikely to matter on a car, suitcase or bicycle but can be a poor fit for a wallet or pocket. For users who want something smaller, Elevation Lab also sells a compact version that it says lasts up to 5 years. In practical terms, the 10-year model is most compelling for anyone managing multiple trackers and willing to trade Apple’s original slim form factor for a much longer replacement cycle.