Before you read this and watch the video, know one thing: We have not tried this method of messing around with our CharlieCards to insert the chip inside our iPhone, and we highly doubt that the MBTA will give you a new one for free if you mess up. So if you do attempt this, do so at your own risk.
That being said, we stumbled upon a video that shows you how to get the intricate wiring inside your MBTA transit pass into your iPhone, so you can swipe your phone in front of the kiosks, rather than carrying both a card and your cellular device.
The tutorial was posted by Adafruit Industries, which operates out of New York City and was founded in 2005 by MIT engineer Limor “Ladyada” Fried.
Adafruit describes itself as a business with a goal of creating “the best place online for learning electronics and making the best designed products for makers of all ages and skill levels.”
According to Adafruit, after seeing Dhani Sutanto take his Oyster Card, which is the London equivalent to the T’s transit pass, and embed it into a ring, the company “got excited to try something similar with a CharlieCard.”
CharlieCards contain Radio Frequency Identification chips, or RFID chips, which are small squares connected by thin antenna.
According to the video, you can dissolve the card in acetone (be careful) for 15-30 minutes, completely submerged with the top of the container covered, and then remove the RFID chip and enameled antenna wire inside.
“For the reader to induce power flow through the antenna, there can’t be a metal object right next to it, there needs to be a bit of air space,” said Adafruit in their video.
They suggest coiling the wire a little bit, and then using layers of packing tape and a piece of paper to separate it from the back of your iPhone.
Screw the faceplate of your phone back on, and voilŕ! You now have a CharlieCard embedded in your talking device.
Below is the full video which shows you step-by-step how to get the job done. Again, we are sure the MBTA won’t be happy that we recommend this, so try it at your own risk. And if you ruin your card, well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
