TapticMods

Add haptic feedback to your iPod Mini, Video or Classic!

Taptic Mod Guide

If you’ve purchased a taptic mod from me, these guides should hopefully help you with the installation.  If you have any other questions, please reach out to me.

🎯 Taptic Mod Installation Guide

Add haptic feedback to your iPod Classic with crisp vibrations when scrolling and navigating. Choose the installation method that matches your skill level and preferences.

Installation Options {.tabset}

Fully Presoldered Kit

🔧 iPod Classic Taptic Mod Installation (Fully Presoldered – No Soldering Required)

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Time: 20–30 min | Compatible: iPod Classic 5th–7th Gen

📦 What’s Included in Your Kit

Your fully presoldered taptic mod kit includes:

  • ✅ Taptic Engine (pre-wired and ready to install)
  • ✅ Mounting screws (as needed)
  • ✅ Double-sided mounting tape (for secure placement)
  • ✅ Pre-soldered headphone jack assembly (ready to drop in)

🎉 No Soldering Required! This kit is designed for users who want the taptic experience without any soldering work.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Required Tools:

Recommended (Optional):

📋 Installation Steps

Step 1: Preparation and iPod Opening

  1. Power off your iPod completely

    • Hold the Play/Pause button until it shuts down
    • Enable the Hold switch to prevent accidental activation

  2. Open your iPod

    • Use your iPod opening tools to carefully separate the front and back cases
    • Work slowly around the perimeter to avoid damaging the clips

Step 2: Disconnecting Components 3. Disconnect the battery

  • Carefully unplug the battery connector from the logic board
  • Set the front panel aside safely
  1. Remove the stock battery (if present)
    • If you still have the original battery, carefully remove it
    • ⚠️ Important: Be very careful not to damage the headphone jack/hold switch assembly

Step 3: Headphone Jack Replacement 5. Remove the existing headphone jack/hold switch assembly

  • Unscrew the headphone jack/hold switch assembly from the back of the iPod
  • Carefully lift it out, noting the cable routing
  1. Install your presoldered assembly
    • Simply drop in your new presoldered headphone jack assembly
    • The taptic engine is already connected – no wiring needed!
    • Secure with the original screws

Step 4: Taptic Engine Mounting 7. Position the taptic engine

  • Place the taptic engine where the original battery was located
  • It’s designed to be the exact same size as the original battery
  1. Secure the taptic engine
    • Use the included double-sided mounting tape to adhere it to the shell
    • Press firmly to ensure good contact

Step 5: Testing and Final Assembly 9. Initial testing

  • Reconnect the headphone jack/hold switch cable to the iPod
  • Plug in the battery and power on the iPod
  • Test the haptic feedback: Scroll through menus to feel the vibrations
  1. Final assembly
    • Ensure all internal components are in their proper positions
    • Carefully align the front and back shells
    • Press around the perimeter until you hear clicks

Engine Only (Soldering Required)

⚡ iPod Classic Taptic Mod Installation (Engine Only – Soldering Required)

Difficulty: Moderate-Advanced | Time: 45–60 min | Compatible: iPod Classic 5th–7th Gen

📦 What’s Included in Your Kit

Your taptic engine kit includes:

  • ✅ Taptic Engine with pre-attached wires
  • ✅ Heat shrink tubing (already applied for wire protection)
  • ✅ Extra wire length (coiled under heat shrink for safety)

⚠️ Soldering Required! This kit requires you to solder the engine wires to your existing headphone jack. Some soldering experience recommended.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Required Tools:

Recommended (Optional):

📋 Installation Steps

Step 1-4: Initial Preparation (Same as presoldered kit: power off, open iPod, disconnect battery, remove stock battery)

Step 5: Headphone Jack Preparation 5. Remove the headphone jack/hold switch assembly

  • Unscrew and carefully lift out the assembly
  • Set it on your work surface
  1. Heat up your soldering iron
    • Set temperature to 300-350°C (575-660°F)
    • Allow it to fully heat up before proceeding

Step 6: Piezo Speaker Removal (Critical Step) 7. Locate and remove the piezo speaker

  • Find the small piezo speaker attached below the headphone jack
  • Method: Gently bend the headphone jack away from the speaker
  • Touch the soldering iron tip to the joint on the bent side
  • When solder melts, that side pops off the flex cable
  • ⚠️ Warning: Don’t overheat – excessive heat will damage audio components

Step 7: Taptic Engine Wire Preparation 8. Prepare the taptic engine

  • Remove from packaging and straighten the lead wires
  • Extra wire is coiled under heat shrink for protection
  1. Trim and tin the wires
    • Leave approximately 6 inches of wire length
    • Strip 2-3mm of insulation from each wire end
    • Apply a small amount of solder to each wire tip (tinning)

Step 8: Soldering the Engine (Critical Step) 10. Shape and connect the first wire

  • Bend each tinned wire into a small hook shape
  • Hook first wire onto the top right corner from the back of flex cable
  • Apply flux and solder this wire to the flex cable

  1. Connect the second wire

    • Hook second wire on bottom middle area from the back
    • Solder to the bottom right solder point
    • Note: One solder point will remain unused – this is normal

  2. Test before closing

    • Connect all cables and power on
    • Test haptic feedback: Feel vibrations when scrolling
    • Test audio: Verify both headphone channels work

iPod Mini Installation

🎵 iPod Mini Taptic Mod Installation (Soldering Required)

Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 60–90 min | Compatible: iPod Mini 1st & 2nd Gen

📦 What’s Included in Your Kit

Your iPod Mini taptic engine kit includes:

  • ✅ Taptic Engine with pre-attached wires
  • ✅ Heat shrink tubing (already applied for wire protection)
  • ✅ Extra wire length (coiled under heat shrink for safety)

⚠️ Advanced Soldering Required! This installation is more complex than the Classic version due to the Mini’s unique design.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Required Tools:

Highly Recommended for Mini:

📋 Installation Steps

[Placeholder – Detailed Mini installation steps to be added]

Key differences for Mini installation:

  • Different opening procedure for Mini chassis
  • Solder points are located on the logic board instead of headphone jack
  • Requires more precise wire routing due to space constraints
  • Different mounting considerations for the taptic engine

📞 Support and Installation Service

  • Having trouble? If you think you may have bit off more than you can chew, you can mail me your iPod and I will complete the installation for you
  • This service is available for customers who purchased the mod from me or from EOE
  • Faulty parts? If your engine seems to have arrived faulty or stops working, reach out and I’ll send a replacement
  • Contact me for shipping information if you need installation assistance

✅ Installation Complete!

Congratulations! Your iPod now has haptic feedback. You should feel crisp vibrations when:

  • Scrolling through the click wheel
  • Navigating menus
  • Making selections

Once everything works properly, make sure to:

  • Test all functions thoroughly
  • Ensure the clicker setting is enabled in your iPod settings
  • Enjoy your enhanced iPod experience!

📺 Additional Resources

Guide created by Chris – For support, reach out through [contact method]