How to remap the PTT button on the ATT Tilt to other programs

ATT Tilt Phone I don't know too many people that actually use PTT (Push to Talk) on the Tilt, since it is a service that you have to pay for. But the button on the side of the phone is really handy and could be used for a number of other functions.

This is a reprint of the tutorial at the ATT forum with my own notes added to clarify some of the points that caused me a little confusion. The instructions have been simplified for use novice users and the only required download is a registry editor. Disclaimer: Doing anything to the registry can mess up the phone if you're not careful.

Download a registry editor. I used PHM Registry Editor. There are quite a few download options but the one you want is the PocketPC 2002,2003 ARM/PXA (not the suggested Desktop installer via Active Sync, which didn't work for me). Copy this file to your phone and double click to install.
Open the registry editor - you will find it in the Program Files folder.
Navigate to the following directory: HKEY_LOCAL_Machine >> Services (HKEY_LOCAL_Machine is also referred to as HKLM elsewhere).
Look for the PTT folder and delete the entire folder (not just the contents).
Navigate to the following directory: HKEY_LOCAL_Machine >> Software >> Microsoft >> Shell >> Keys
At the bottom of the screen, select Edit >> New Key and name it 40C6 (4 ZERO C 6).
Select the new key you just added (40C6), go back to the Edit menu at the bottom of the screen and select New String Value. In the "Value name" field, type Name. In the "Value data" field, type Button 6. Click OK.
Repeat the 2 steps above to Add a New Key called 40C7 (4 ZERO C 7) and a New String under this key called Name with the value Button 6 (hold).
Exit the registry editor.
Go to the Start Menu and choose Settings (bottom of the menu). Click Buttons and assign a program to the new entries (Button 6 and Button 6 Hold). As you can see, I selected Voice Dial and Voice Recorder.
Click OK and then do a Soft Reset, which means inserting the stylus into the little hole at the bottom of the phone to the right of the charger input.

Again, be careful when you are editing registry settings. I am in no way responsible or liable for your actions.

See more on: ATT Tilt, registry edits

comments (23)

Comments

Fri: June 13, 2008
Dave said:

Well done! Very well written and easy to understand. Not to mention, it works GREAT!

Thanks!

Sat: June 21, 2008
Penny said:

Thank you. Very easy to follow the instructions with excellent results.

Sun: June 22, 2008
Jonny said:

Brave chap

Wed: July 2, 2008
Jack said:

How did you Delete the PTT file there is no delete in the edit or tools? Nervous here!

Thu: July 3, 2008
Jack said:

Never mind Hold on folder and promp comes up. Thanks for the great remapping of this key. I will be using it for ring/vib and record.
Thanks again

Thu: July 3, 2008
Jim said:

ok...then can someone tell me why it's not working for ME? The link above isn't even working to get to the download page! What's going on?

Sat: July 5, 2008
Jack said:

I wondered if it is possible to put a hold option on other buttons? I remapped the button 6 hold function to voice recorder and the botton 6 to left soft key so i hold the button to start the voice recording program, and push bit back to start recording then again to stop recording. Now it work like a real dictaphone used with only one hand.
Jim i installed a couple of versions of PHM Registry before i found one that was working correctly, you have to get the pocketpc 2002 2003 arm PXA version. Very good tips here now i like my Tilt :-)

Sat: July 5, 2008
corey said:

Very well done! I followed your instructions and it worked just like you said.

Thanks!

Tue: July 8, 2008
Alex said:

Your amazing!

it works great.
thanx!

Sun: July 13, 2008
Jeanne said:

Although I followed the steps when I go to settings only the 40c7 button appears and can be setup. When I go back to editor it shows both 40c6 & 40c7.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sun: July 13, 2008
Brian said:

Worked great for me. Thanks!

Fri: July 18, 2008
Joey said:

This didn't work for me on adding the replace ment. But, it did get rid of the annoying PTT action though.

Thu: July 31, 2008
b said:

Worked like a champ!!!

Sun: August 3, 2008
russ said:

thats awesome thanks for the help

Sun: August 3, 2008
Kevin said:

Question, I downloaded the software you recommended. Do you unzip it on your desktop or on the phone? I unzipped in on my desktop and there were 10 total files in there. Sorry for the stupid question but I'd rather be stupid than carrying a brick. Thanks

Thu: August 7, 2008
mo said:

amzing..worked like a charm

Mon: August 11, 2008
wendy said:

this was great, except I was hoping to make (hold) lock/unlock. however, it's not a choice...or is it? :) any hints appreciated.

Mon: August 11, 2008
horndog said:

Go here:
I figured out how to do this.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=2510419#post2510419

Wed: August 20, 2008
Abe said:

Thanks so much. It works.

Mon: September 1, 2008
Rob said:

Thank you! That's the easiest step-by-step outline on the web!

Wed: September 10, 2008
Mike said:

If you download and install the 6.1 OS upgrade, it will allow you to remap the PTT key function directly without resorting to a registry hack. Go to /Settings/Buttons under the Personal tab.

Wed: November 12, 2008
Dante said:

Anyone know if this works on the new AT&T Fuze? does the PTT button have the same code (40C6) ?

Wed: November 26, 2008
Tatianna said:

Thank you so much. I remapped my PTT button to now be the VibroSwitch button. That PTT button has a purpose now. Sweet!