The micro:bit can be connected to your computer or device with a micro USB cable that is capable of data transfer (not just charging). Data can be sent and received between the BBC micro:bit and the computer so programs can be downloaded from Windows, Mac, ChromeOS (Chromebooks) and Linux (including Raspberry Pi) onto the micro:bit via this USB data connection.


Connect

Connect the small end of the cable to your micro:bit and the other end to your computer's USB port. The micro:bit will show up as a disk drive called MICROBIT


On a micro:bit v1.x, a yellow LED will flash (on the back of the micro:bit) momentarily when you connect, and then stay on as shown in the video below:




On a micro:bit 2.x, there are two LED's on the back of the micro:bit. The additional red (power indicator) LED lights up and stays on, the yellow LED as in the previous version will flash momentarily when you connect and then stay lit with the red LED.


You can use a USB hub between the computer and the micro:bit if required.


If you don't see the MICROBIT drive...


1. Check that the USB cable is capable of data transfer and try another cable

2. Try another computer

3. See if the micro:bit will mount in MAINTENANCE mode, by holding down the power/reset button as you plug it in.

4. Check the operating system to see if the drive has mounted, but isn't showing up:


Windows -  Open Device Manager and look under Disk Drives

Mac OS  - Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities

Chrome OS - Open the Files app.

Ubuntu  - Open Disks

Raspbian - Open File Manager


In each utility the micro:bit should be listed as an external drive.


Disconnect

To disconnect the micro:bit, remove the USB cable from the device or the computer. 


The micro:bit will store the last program that was running on it, so you can safely remove the USB and the next time you plug it in, the program will start running again.


The micro:bit will also eject itself when it is reset and then reconnect. This happens each time it is flashed with a new program. 


On Windows, you may receive a "Select to choose what happens with removable drives" notification.


On macOS, you may receive a "Disk Not Ejected Properly" notification.

This is normal behaviour and you can ignore these messages.


On Chrome OS, Open the Files app, look for the micro:bit device (down the left-hand side) and click the eject icon (the arrow icon pointing upwards to the right of the micro:bit drive).


On Ubuntu and Raspbian OS, the process is similar to Chrome OS, there will be an eject icon to allow you to safely remove your micro:bit.


If you are still having issues, see our article on troubleshooting with the BBC micro:bit or open a support ticket.

if you decide to raise a support ticket, please provide the following information:

  • The version of micro:bit used
  • The OS and browser used
  • The name of any anti-virus software you are running