- Updated: March 22, 2026
- 2 min read
Storing Data in a Mouse: How a Logitech MX Vertical Became a Tiny Persistent Storage Device
Overview
In a clever hack, developer Tim Wehrle discovered that the Logitech MX Vertical mouse can be repurposed as a tiny, cross‑platform data store. By leveraging the HID++ DPI register, he was able to write and read two bytes of persistent data that survive reboots and even work across different computers.
Technical Details
The mouse’s HID++ feature table includes a HID++ DPI register that can be accessed via standard HID reports. Wehrle reverse‑engineered this register and built a small Rust utility that reads and writes the two‑byte payload. The data remains in the mouse’s firmware, making it an ideal carrier for short configuration snippets, identifiers, or cryptographic nonces.
Why It Matters
- Portability: The data travels with the mouse, eliminating the need for cloud sync for tiny pieces of information.
- Cross‑OS Compatibility: The solution works on macOS, Linux, and Windows, despite macOS’s limited HID++ support.
- Security Insights: Storing secrets in hardware that is not typically considered a secure element raises interesting security considerations.
Implementation
The Rust tool is open‑source and available on GitHub. It demonstrates how to send HID++ feature reports, parse responses, and handle errors gracefully.
Further Reading
For more on hardware‑level hacking and innovative uses of everyday peripherals, check out our related articles:
- USB HID Exploits: Turning Input Devices into Data Carriers
- Embedded Firmware Reverse Engineering: Tools and Techniques
This experiment showcases the creative potential of repurposing existing hardware, encouraging developers to think beyond traditional storage solutions.