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PORTABLE ELECTRONICS

Can you bring bluetooth item tracker on a plane?

Yes. A Bluetooth tracker with its battery installed can travel in carry-on. An active tracker can also remain in checked baggage when it meets the FAA’s low-energy limit; loose cells and power banks stay in the cabin.

Sources checked: 2026-09-28

Source scope: United States · FAA/TSA; airline rules may be stricter

Carry-on baggage

Allowed with conditions

Yes. Keep the battery installed in the tracker. Put every removed spare cell or power bank in carry-on and protect its terminals.

Checked baggage

Allowed with conditions

Yes. An active tracker may remain in checked baggage up to 0.3 g of lithium metal or 2.7 Wh for lithium-ion. Loose cells and power banks are not allowed in checked baggage.

Item identification card: Bluetooth item tracker
An AirTag uses a replaceable CR2032; other trackers may use a sealed rechargeable battery.

Match the tracker to its battery

The checked-bag exception is for a low-energy tracking device with its battery installed. A removed cell is a spare battery and follows a different rule.

Coin-cell tracker

AirTag, Galaxy SmartTag2 and many Tile or Chipolo models use a replaceable lithium-metal coin cell. Keep the cell installed if the tracker is active in checked baggage.

Rechargeable tracker

Check the rating printed on the device or in the manufacturer specification. For an active tracker in checked baggage, the FAA limit is 2.7 Wh.

Removed cell or power bank

Pack it in carry-on only and protect its terminals. It no longer counts as a battery installed in the tracker.

BEFORE LEAVING HOME

Before packing

  1. Find the exact model and check whether it uses a lithium-metal coin cell or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
  2. Keep the battery installed if the tracker will remain active in checked baggage. Put every removed cell or power bank in carry-on and protect its terminals.
  3. For checked baggage, confirm the tracker stays within 0.3 g of lithium metal or 2.7 Wh, then check the airline’s conditions.

Version covered

An AirTag uses a replaceable CR2032; other trackers may use a sealed rechargeable battery. This answer covers the ordinary form of the item at a US checkpoint. A separate liquid, battery, blade or chemical in the kit may have its own rule.

Batteries in common tracker models

Apple AirTag and AirTag 2 both use a replaceable CR2032 lithium coin cell. Apple battery instructions and AirTag 2 specifications.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag2 also use a replaceable CR2032. Samsung model guide.

Tile Mate 2018/2020 uses a replaceable CR1632, whereas Tile Mate 2022/2024 has a sealed, non-replaceable battery. Tile Pro 2018/2020/2022/2024 uses a replaceable CR2032. Tile model guide and battery replacement guide.

Chipolo ONE and ONE Point use a replaceable CR2032. CARD Point has a non-replaceable battery; the newer CARD charges wirelessly with Qi. Chipolo model guide and CARD specifications.

Pebblebee Clip 5 has a built-in battery charged by USB-C; Pebblebee Tag charges through a magnetic cable. Neither takes a replaceable coin cell. Clip 5 specifications and Tag battery guide.

A cell type alone does not prove a rechargeable model meets the checked-bag threshold. The FAA tracker rule sets 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh lithium-ion; the IATA active-tracker exception also requires low-energy Bluetooth.

Carry-on baggage

Yes, subject to battery limits. “Bluetooth item tracker” with an installed battery may travel in carry-on; protect any loose spare lithium cell and keep it in the cabin.

Checked baggage

Yes, an active Bluetooth baggage tracker may remain in checked baggage if its lithium-metal cell contains no more than 0.3 g of lithium or its lithium-ion battery is no more than 2.7 Wh; loose spare lithium cells and power banks stay in carry-on.

Prepare for screening

  • Identify the tracker model using the battery examples below. Keep any removed spare cell or power bank in carry-on, with its contacts protected.
  • Check whether the tracker itself uses a replaceable coin cell or a sealed rechargeable battery.
  • For an active tracker in a checked bag, use the 0.3 g lithium-metal or 2.7 Wh lithium-ion threshold; confirm airline conditions for your route.

Basis and limits

What Can I Bring? — complete list · PackSafe — portable electronic devices containing batteries · PackSafe — lithium batteries. Check airline size limits and destination import rules separately.

BASIS FOR THE ANSWER

Sources checked

BEFORE YOU FLY

Packing more than one item?

Explore our carefully prepared guide to what you can bring on a plane in carry-on and checked baggage.

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EXPLORE

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