Button doesn't respond anymore, what are my best options

[jeroenpeters1986]

Hi,

the button on my Bangle.JS2 suddenly seemed to stop responding yesterday. The watch itself didn't freeze, I am still getting notification on it (due to it's amazing battery :-))

I am not sure how to describe it in English but the button seems soft. I can push it, but it's not responding on the software and it also feels like the physical response is different. Before, I think it would really 'hit' something on the inside, like pushed feedback or something.

When I did a search for this, I did get some options. Some buttons started to work again in an hour or so or after 'wobbling'. (https://github.com/orgs/espruino/discussions/3218#comment16288931, https://github.com/orgs/espruino/discussions/3219#comment16290141). Also there is one huge thread https://github.com/orgs/espruino/discussions/6347 and one with the experience of a use https://github.com/orgs/espruino/discussions/6199#comment16674380

Massaging the button is not working. I can first drain the battery and see what happens on a reload but it doesn't feel like software issue to me. I also didn't find a tap-to-unlock or app like that, so it now feels 'bricked' (as it has locked) and the FaceUp and DoubleTap-To-Unlock doesn't seem to work properly..

I do know that there is a disassembly guide, but aside from a replaced iPhone battery I don't have too much experience with these kind of things. I also saw that there is a replacement button but I am not sure that this would solve it.

So my question: is getting the screen off my only option now?

[thyttan]

The "Light Switch Widget" has a "Double tap to unlock" feature that can be enabled through it's settings.

I'm not sure there is an app that replaces HW button wholy with tapping the watch body. Maybe we should make something like that if not.

[jeroenpeters1986]

Thanks! That might be worth a try. The battery didn't drain yet but it was a busy weekend so I had no time to try it yet. Thanks for your help so far btw!

[gfwilliams]

I doubt flattening the watch will help (but you can connect with the IDE and run Bangle.setLocked(0) to allow it to unlock, then go to Settings->Utils->Flatten Battery to make it run down quicker).

But yes, we could definitely look at an app to replace the button. Even enabling Double Tap to Unlock and installing Back Swipe would get you a long way, and it wouldn't be hard to make a tap on the side of the watch fake a button press for apps that needed it.

[thyttan]

FaceUp and DoubleTap-To-Unlock doesn't seem to work properly..

Can you elaborate on this? Do they not work at all or unreliably?

[jeroenpeters1986]

Hi @thyttan yes I can. I believe this is another issue, that my boot0 configuration is corrupt somehow (sometimes it just loads old settings, hence disabling things like FaceUp Unlock, which is disabled by default)

[gfwilliams]

You can try Settings -> Utils -> Rewrite Settings which should hopefully fix any issues like that. Doing More ... Reinstall Apps in the App Loader could be worth it too - it'll keep all data but will rewrite all the app's code, in case maybe something got corrupted or not uploaded properly.

[gfwilliams]

Sorry to hear this - was your Bangle one of the original 2021 KickStarter ones?

If you can feel a physical change in the button then I'm afraid it probably is a physical issue and if 'massaging' it didn't work you're probably a bit stuck. It is very possible that if you get the screen off you could just pop the button PCB back in (or if it's failed, put a new one in). I can't think there would be any other problem with the hardware.

Getting the screen off can be a bit of a pain (plus you have to glue it back on too). However if you've replaced an iPhone battery then you'll probably be absolutely fine with it! There's a video at https://www.espruino.com/Bangle.js2+Disassembly with more info.

On using the Bangle without a button:

• To do stuff, you can always connect with the Web IDE and write Bangle.setLocked(0) to convince it to unlock temporarily.
• Double tap should work fine - but the default tap speed it quite slow (I should change this). If it's not working try tapping a bit slower, maybe counting one...two in your head and tapping on each word. As I mentioned in a post above, try Reinstall Apps and Rewrite settings which should help to fix your config loading issue

[gfwilliams]

(if you can get double tap to unlock working at all then it's easy enough to tweak the tap speeds. You can just upload the code Bangle.accelWr(0x18, Bangle.accelRd(0x18)&127);Bangle.accelWr(0x25, 0x50);Bangle.accelWr(0x18, Bangle.accelRd(0x18)|128); as 'Custom Boot Code' using the app loader)

[jeroenpeters1986]

Thank you for all the helpful comments @gfwilliams My watch is indeed one of the OG's. I use the watch sometimes for a long period, sometimes I dont wear it for a few weeks. But ofcourse the button could be worn out.
I think my best plan is to look for the right glue and try to get the screen off. In a few weeks I will have a holiday which gives me some time. Or maybe I'll be making it a late night when I get the glue on time.
I saw in the video that the b-7000 is a good chance. I will certainly let you know whatever the outcome is

[enaon]

and try to get the screen off.

just as info, I had to open up my OG watch a week ago, it is very easy to do using one of the three razors that are inside a Wilkinson Sword.