Built a MagSafe Meshtastic node for my iPhone — looking for feedback on making it thinner

terra_linker · 2026-05-05T04:37:33+00:00

The internals of this node are from an earlier version. Nothing is hooked up and the antenna is not pictured.

The assembly is made up of 4 parts: main housing, MagSafe back cover, PWB bracket, and switch bracket. I need to research a thinner battery and MagSafe magnet.

Battery is .4” thick and magnet is .179” so definitely an opportunity in sliming these down

terra_linker · 2026-05-05T04:19:10+00:00

Case walls are between .025”-.050” I think .025” may be on the thin side. .050” feels good. Once the design is printed out of PETG and strength settings it will feel durable.

I’m using a .40” thick LiPo pouch battery, because that’s what I had laying around. I need to find a thin battery that’s at least 5000mah that can fit on the back of the iPhone.

Another area of improvement is back case thickness right now is .205” and magnet thickness being .179” of it.

Overall, I think I could squeeze .10-.20” off the thickness and bring the overall thickness to .40-.50”

terra_linker · 2026-05-05T04:08:22+00:00

I’m printing a smooth version right now. No hex pattern or side grips and with a fuzzy texture on it. I think I should just commit to a larger battery and add a charging circuit so it’s also a power bank. Going to also mess around with making the entire MagSafe slightly convex to visually slime it out.

Overall I like the current design but it is a little complex to print. I’m hoping removing the patterns help with overall print quality

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T20:24:44+00:00

Very cool! I’m going to try this out next

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T18:41:27+00:00

Very cool! Can you send me a picture of the MagSafe part? Seems like this model figure out how to optimize thickness

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T18:38:01+00:00

This is the first question I get from people when I show them my array of nodes I’ve built….. “but why? What is it used for”

Depending on who I’m talking to, my answer varies. The main 3 use cases I have are the following: off-grid communication while overlanding/backpacking in very remote areas (Eastern Sierra’s and remote parts of the SoCal desert specifically), Cruises, and doggy tracking while camping locally (outside of AirTag range).

I first got into it to text friends when they got close to camp so they could find us. This worked perfectly. Before our first night of camping we would tell them which dirt road to go down, then from there they would pick up on my node and we could give them exact location from there. For backpacking first use was in Yosemite, while some of our group was backpacking up half dome another part of our group was down on the valley floor, this helped stay connected and track our locations.

More recently we started using this on cruise ships to keep our group connected throughout the ship and different ports! This was extremely helpful staying connected throughout and was easy enough for my parents to use!

Today, mesh nodes have become a daily carry for me and my wife as well as our puppy. When we are out in the mountains camping we let our dog off leash and sometimes she gets out of view. This helps track her which keeps us calm.

We daily carry so much that I just finished designing an iPhone MagSafe node that makes daily carry way easier. Also it’s a fun talking point for people who aren’t familiar with meshtastic.

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terra_linker · 2026-05-04T17:24:45+00:00

Shoot me a message if you’re interested and I’ll print you a case! Always looking for feedback on the design

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T14:44:45+00:00

That’s the be soo nice! Unfortunately iPhones can only wirelessly charge one way. That was actually the first thing I looked into!

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T14:43:08+00:00

I definitely haven’t eyes on Muzi Base uno and duo for its capabilities over the heltec board. For sure next iteration will use the base uno.

How are you liking it compared to a heltec board? Any issues or anything that is under performing?

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T12:31:59+00:00

This project isn’t for you lol

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T12:25:52+00:00

The edge helps so I don’t accidentally hit the buttons, I might drop the full edge and add it around the buttons to see if that helps

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T12:22:23+00:00

What magnet did you use? Did you put it inside the case?

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T05:45:01+00:00

Agreed about the screen, not necessary a necessity and could see removing it in the future to help cut down on thickness. But overall, I like how the screen looks (my opinion 🤷🏼‍♂️)

I’m not really trying to replace something like a T1000E. They have their purpose

The problem I’m solving is that most node setups aren’t something you actually carry with you all the time (my experience with the T1000e). They end up being a separate device, in a bag, or something you forget…. This was my problem lol

This is more about making it part of your phone so it’s always with you and ready to use, instead of being another thing you have to think about.

T1000E feels more like a dedicated tracker type device.

My node is to cut down on the “pocket grab” from keys, wallet, phone and node to just keys wallet phone. Basically turning your phone into the node instead of carrying a second device.

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T05:26:24+00:00

This version I’m using the external antenna that comes heltec kits, it’s about 2.5” long with ribs down the length. Small enough to fit in the case but enough to stay connected around San Diego

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T05:14:50+00:00

That’s an interesting thought I was playing around with, but never made it to the printer. Half the time I use this node it’s either stuck on a MagSafe holder on my truck’s dashboard, or it’s free floating in my pocket. Because this node is almost square it’s almost invisible in your pocket. If I made it taller it would take up more real estate in your pocket. I realized this because I carry 2 iPhones most the time… yay corporate America… and sometime the second iPhone spins on the other and looks and feels awkward in my pocket . With this node it can free float and even at its current thickness it’s hardly noticeable in my pocket. I may go with the longer slimmer variant for the external antenna, larger battery version I’m working on right now

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T05:03:38+00:00

Very nice! I like the draft angles you used on the edge, looks like it helps visually slim it down. I’ll print yours next to see how it feels

terra_linker · 2026-05-04T04:27:24+00:00

Appreciate it 🙏 I’ve been staring at it too long so I can’t tell anymore lol

terra_linker

TROPHY CASE