I have read several articles about using Duracell batteries not working with the apple air tags, at first it did not work, but I took some emery cloth on a flat surface and held the 2023 battery negative side down and sanded the battery getting the coating off and wala it worked
iPhone SE, iOS 17
I just had this issue with a Duracell battery. After removing the bitter coating with screen cleaner it worked when held in by hand but not when the cover was put back on. I had to cut out two battery shaped pieces of paper and put those between the top of the battery and the cover. Worked first time after that.
How to replace the battery in your AirTag --> How to replace the battery in your AirTag - Apple Support
- Find out if you need to replace the battery
"a new CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery"
"CR2032 batteries with bitterant* coatings [to make them taste bad to small children who might think they are candy] might not work with AirTag or other battery-powered products, depending on the alignment of the coating in relation to the battery contacts."
*So apparently not Duracell or Energizer. airtag batteries and bitterant - Apple Community
but you may be able to remove the bitter coating Does rubbing alcohol work to remove the b… - Apple Community
Apple AirTag using Duracell batteries
