ITag BLE Button Disable
I bought a couple of these cheap iTag BLE bluetooth keytags, to experiment/play/hack with. More on the hacks later. I used one as a simple Bluetooth keyfinder around the house.
It seems to do the job, but the bleeping button was a child magnet. It could easily be turned off with a long press, defeating its purpose as a key finder.
What i want is to just power up, activate it, and run with the button disabled, until needed. Some physical intervention is required.
It seems to do the job, but the bleeping button was a child magnet. It could easily be turned off with a long press, defeating its purpose as a key finder.
What i want is to just power up, activate it, and run with the button disabled, until needed. Some physical intervention is required.
Supplies
ITag bluetooth module
ITag mobile app
Craft knife or drill.
Small piece of narrow bicycle tubing.
Prise It Apart
I prised it apart just using my nails. You could use a spludger tool if needed.
You will have
Upper button shell case
Lower battery shell case
Battery
Grey key hole support ring.
You can pop out the button from the shell by pressing inwards the two tabs.
You will have
Upper button shell case
Lower battery shell case
Battery
Grey key hole support ring.
You can pop out the button from the shell by pressing inwards the two tabs.
Hack the Button Cap
You can either cut off the centre stalk, which physically prevents the cap from pressing the switch pn the circuit board.
However, once the button cap is pressed back in, you will need to prise it apart, should you need to press it again.
My preference is to drill a hole in the centre, so you can press it using a pen or screwdriver, without taking it apart.
You could tape over the hole to prevent dirt ingress. I found a small piece of narrow bicycle tube forms the perfect cover, and also helps hold it together.
However, once the button cap is pressed back in, you will need to prise it apart, should you need to press it again.
My preference is to drill a hole in the centre, so you can press it using a pen or screwdriver, without taking it apart.
You could tape over the hole to prevent dirt ingress. I found a small piece of narrow bicycle tube forms the perfect cover, and also helps hold it together.
Reassemble
Reassemble:
Orientate key ring support in correect position
Insert board on button shell side
Afix battery shell
Insert battery
Pull over tube covering
Orientate key ring support in correect position
Insert board on button shell side
Afix battery shell
Insert battery
Pull over tube covering
Reassemble
Hold the button down for 3 secs, it will bleep twice.
Led will flash every 10 secs.
Pair up with itag and use as normal.
Should be a fit and forget job until battery change time.
If you should need access to button, just pull up rubber tube sleeving, and probe the button micro switch through the drilled hole using a pen.
Mission accomplished.
Led will flash every 10 secs.
Pair up with itag and use as normal.
Should be a fit and forget job until battery change time.
If you should need access to button, just pull up rubber tube sleeving, and probe the button micro switch through the drilled hole using a pen.
Mission accomplished.
Project History
Lets see how if the battery lasts the stated 6 months.
8 sept 22: go live with new cr2032
1 nov 22 unit switched itself off after a short user activated ring. Powered on and Repeated test, did same again. This is the original (cheap?) Battery that came with device. Looks like its out of juice for ringing.
15 nov 22 replaced battery with new genuine energizer cr2032 battery. Lets see how long this lasts?
Lasted a few months with the energizer too.