Add an IR Port to Any Mac for Less Than $10

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Here's how to install an Apple OEM IR sensor into an Apple USB keyboard. Most of the Apple IR sensors use the internal USB bus. The IR sensor is fully USB compliant allowing you to remove and insert it without a problem. So why not make it external in the keyboard? The end result is a small IR sensor just above the F2 key. It works very well, almost if not as well as a built in Apple IR sensor. Great for an older PowerPC Mac, a modern Mac without an IR sensor, or even to have an extra IR sensor on the same Mac. I think this is because the keyboard's plastic case acts as a lens or conduit for the IR light to get to the sensor.

The IR sensor board I used is part number 922-7195. I chose this one because it's cheap (less than $10), has wires attached to it, is small, and has drivers built into 10.4 and newer. Once done, you'll have native Apple Remote IR abilities with your machine. With it you can control iTunes, Plex, and other Apple Remote enabled applications. You can even sleep and wake the machine via the Apple Remote. This will work with any of the plastic wired Apple USB keyboards. Possibly the aluminum models as well, but it'll require more work to open and seal them again. I have not done it to the iMac G3 style with a built in power button, but it should work on that model as well. This outlines the instructions for the Apple Pro keyboard (M7803). All pictures are thumbnail size, click to embiggen.

Step 1: Keyboard Teardown

Remove the four Torx 5 screws and the one Phillips from the back of the keyboard. Note the Philips head is under the label sticker. Remove top plastic frame. It is held in by clips along the top and bottom of the keyboard. Remove three Phillips head screws from under the caps lock, semicolon, and keypad number 6 key. Before lifting out the keyboard from the bottom tray, remove the two securing screws and cable cover where the USB cable goes into the keyboard. Remove grounding screw near USB cable and seven screws securing the circuit board to the keyboard. Remove circuit board from back of keyboard.

Step 2: Prep Area

Take a dry erase marker and mark the top of the IR sensor. Quickly take the sensor and position it so that the sensor body is in the corner against the USB port mount and the metal backing on the keyboard and press down lightly to transfer the dry erase ink.

Step 3: Drill IR Hole

Clean the IR sensor. Slowly drill a small hole from the inside portion of the keyboard to the outside where the mark you made is. The hole should be the same size as the dome on the IR sensor.

Once through, bevel the outside hole to allow the IR sensor to have a wider view.

Step 4: Remove USB Port

Desolder (or cut off) the USB port on the opposite side of the USB port that you plug the mouse into. Discard or save the USB port, we will not be needing it.

Step 5: Attach IR Sensor

Remove the white plastic connector and gold pins from the IR sensor cable. Strip the wire to about 2-3mm of bear wire. Insert the IR sensor's wires from the same side of the board as the USB ports' wires originally went and solder them to their corresponding colors as labeled on the circuit board. Note: The green wire goes to the white hole.

Step 6: Check Connections

Once it is cooled, check your work for any shorts in the solder. This is a good time to check if the connections are good the and sensor is working. Plug it into any Mac running 10.4.8 or higher. Check the USB section of System Profiler for the IR sensor on the keyboard's USB hub. If you don't see it, try re-soldering the connections. Screw the circuit board back onto the keyboard.

Step 7: Add Hot Glue

Put a small dot of hot glue onto the plastic just to the side of the hole made earlier.

Step 8: Place Sensor

Take the IR sensor board and press it onto the glue so the that IR sensor dome is in the hole. While still holding the board, flip the keyboard over and move the IR sensor dome for optimal range by aligning it to be in the centre of the hole. Keep holding until the glue has cooled, about 30-60 seconds.

Step 9: Position IR Board

Move the IR board's cable so that it is tucked under the circuit board to prevent damaging it when closing the keyboard.

Step 10: Finished Product

And now you're done! Use any Apple IR remote to now control Front Row (or any other supported apps) just like you would the standard IR port. The sensor will show in System Profiler and will have the same functionality as the native IR!