AirTag owner modifies case to make a thin, wallet-sized version
An AirTag owner has taken apart the device, re-soldered the parts, and 3D-printed a new casing, to make a wide and slim version that will fit into a wallet.
Some Assembly Required. (Source: Andrew Ngal)
Most people are just buying AirTags, some are taking them apart, but now one person has re-engineered his.
"I wanted to put an AirTag into my wallet," says new YouTuber Andrew Ngal, "so that I can also track its location. But I found out the AirTag is quite thick and will create a bulge in my wallet."
"So I modified the AirTag and gave it a new body," he continues.
The core of the process is taking the main logic board of the AirTag, and instead of having it atop the battery, move it so that the two pieces are side by side. Simply separating the parts, however, requires a heat gun to melt the glue holding them together.
Then the logic board has to be reconnected to the battery, which entails soldering wires to the board. And then soldering wires to the battery, which doesn't have the same obvious connection point.
Ngal also then had to design a new case and 3D-print it into a flatter shape. "It's not completely flat," says Ngal, "but you can see there's a pretty drastic difference in thickness."
"I would not recommend to anybody who is not familiar with hands-on electronic work because some components on the [printed circuit board are] really delicate," he continues, "and I actually broke off the power connector once. I had to solder it back on -- that was not fun."
While the result is a functioning AirTag that the Find My app can locate, Ngal does not address the issue of sound. Apple's AirTags use the white cover as part of the speaker system. So without it, or an equivalent, the modified AirTag may not be able to play quite such a loud tone when required.
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Some Assembly Required. (Source: Andrew Ngal)
Most people are just buying AirTags, some are taking them apart, but now one person has re-engineered his.
"I wanted to put an AirTag into my wallet," says new YouTuber Andrew Ngal, "so that I can also track its location. But I found out the AirTag is quite thick and will create a bulge in my wallet."
"So I modified the AirTag and gave it a new body," he continues.
The core of the process is taking the main logic board of the AirTag, and instead of having it atop the battery, move it so that the two pieces are side by side. Simply separating the parts, however, requires a heat gun to melt the glue holding them together.
Then the logic board has to be reconnected to the battery, which entails soldering wires to the board. And then soldering wires to the battery, which doesn't have the same obvious connection point.
Ngal also then had to design a new case and 3D-print it into a flatter shape. "It's not completely flat," says Ngal, "but you can see there's a pretty drastic difference in thickness."
"I would not recommend to anybody who is not familiar with hands-on electronic work because some components on the [printed circuit board are] really delicate," he continues, "and I actually broke off the power connector once. I had to solder it back on -- that was not fun."
While the result is a functioning AirTag that the Find My app can locate, Ngal does not address the issue of sound. Apple's AirTags use the white cover as part of the speaker system. So without it, or an equivalent, the modified AirTag may not be able to play quite such a loud tone when required.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
At that point they can still get Apple and/or the police involved.
Also the built-in AirTag logic board could be connected to the M1/A14 m etc. chip so it supports “smart charging”. Only charging it every 10 months or so, so that the AirTag battery doesn’t become overwhelmed and the battery life is extended.
Im thinking it either has a separate AirTag battery or the last 1% of your device’s charge is dedicated to the internal AirTag.
As is, this guys device would be right at home if some of the contents of their and his wallets were culled. It would make my wallet look like an AirBus. I would have radiused all the edges of the holder.
He said the thickness of the finished product would "be down to the battery". If he'd used a CR2025 instead, it might have been a tad thinner but I think the PCB might have made a thinner battery a moot point.
TrackR made a very thin version for wallets with radiuses edges, but it was a TrackR product and crap. If Apple ever makes a "wallet sized" AirTag, I'll snap one up. I could have used it a few years back.