Read/write BLE GATT characteristic by the handle

[g1ntas]

Component name

ble_client

Link to component documentation on our website

https://esphome.io/components/sensor/ble_client/

Describe the enhancement

Currently the only way to identify GATT characteristic is by uuid, however, according to bluetooth spec:

A service may have multiple characteristic definitions with the same Characteristic UUID

Such behavior prevents from interacting with devices exposing such characteristics. Adding an option to identify characteristic by the handle would address it. While my use case requires only reading, it's likely a valid scenario for writing as well.

Use cases

One of such device is Apple TV gen3 remote, it has 8 different characteristics all with the same uuid, under the same service. I currently have python script which subscribes to notifications of the remote and forwards them to MQTT, but I would like to replace it with esphome, and currently that's the limitation preventing me from doing it.

Anything else?

Apple TV gen3 remote GATT characteristics returned by bluetoothctl:

[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x0001)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0001
        00001800-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Generic Access Profile
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0002)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0001/char0002
        00002a00-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Device Name
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0004)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0001/char0004
        00002a01-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Appearance
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0006)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0001/char0006
        00002a04-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Peripheral Preferred Connection Parameters
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0008)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0001/char0008
        00002aa6-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Central Address Resolution
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x000a)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000a
        00001801-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Generic Attribute Profile
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x000b)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000a/char000b
        00002a05-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Service Changed
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x000d)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000a/char000b/desc000d
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x000e)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e
        0000180a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Device Information
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x000f)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e/char000f
        00002a29-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Manufacturer Name String
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0011)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e/char0011
        00002a25-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Serial Number String
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0013)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e/char0013
        00002a27-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Hardware Revision String
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0015)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e/char0015
        00002a26-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Firmware Revision String
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0017)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service000e/char0017
        00002a50-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        PnP ID
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x0019)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019
        8341f2b4-c013-4f04-8197-c4cdb42e26dc
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x001a)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char001a
        0188bf66-463a-405d-91fd-0b8940b92254
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x001c)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char001c
        0188bf67-463a-405d-91fd-0b8940b92254
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x001e)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char001e
        0188bf68-463a-405d-91fd-0b8940b92254
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0020)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char0020
        2bdcaebe-8746-45df-a841-96b840980fb7
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0022)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char0022
        2bdcaebe-8746-45df-a841-96b840980fb8
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0024)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char0024
        30e69638-3752-4feb-a3aa-3226bcd05ace
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0026)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0019/char0024/desc0026
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x0027)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0027
        0000181e-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Bond Management
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0028)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0027/char0028
        00002aa5-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Bond Management Feature
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x002a)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0027/char002a
        00002aa4-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Bond Management Control Point
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x002c)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0027/char002a/desc002c
        00002900-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Characteristic Extended Properties
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x002d)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service002d
        0000180f-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Battery Service
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x002e)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service002d/char002e
        00002a19-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Battery Level
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0030)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service002d/char002e/desc0030
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0031)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service002d/char0031
        00002a1a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Unknown
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0033)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service002d/char0031/desc0033
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x0034)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034
        00001812-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Human Interface Device
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0035)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0035
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0037)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0035/desc0037
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0038)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0035/desc0038
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0039)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0039
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x003b)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0039/desc003b
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x003c)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0039/desc003c
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x003d)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char003d
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x003f)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char003d/desc003f
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0040)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char003d/desc0040
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0041)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0041
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0043)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0041/desc0043
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0044)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0041/desc0044
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0045)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0045
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0047)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0045/desc0047
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0048)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0045/desc0048
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0049)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0049
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x004b)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0049/desc004b
        00002902-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Client Characteristic Configuration
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x004c)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0049/desc004c
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x004d)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char004d
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x004f)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char004d/desc004f
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0050)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0050
        00002a4d-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report
[NEW] Descriptor (Handle 0x0052)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0050/desc0052
        00002908-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Reference
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0053)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0053
        00002a4b-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        Report Map
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0055)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0055
        00002a4a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        HID Information
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x0057)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0034/char0057
        00002a4c-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb
        HID Control Point
[NEW] Primary Service (Handle 0x0059)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0059
        f5873412-d314-b885-a5aa-efa546123981
        Vendor specific
[NEW] Characteristic (Handle 0x005a)
        /org/bluez/hci0/dev_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX_XX/service0059/char005a
        f5873413-d314-b885-a5aa-efa546123982
        Vendor specific

[github-actions[bot]]

🏷️ I've automatically added the component: ble_client label to help categorize this feature request.