Overview

The micro:bit app for android is available to download from the Google Play Store and supports sending code to your micro:bit from your mobile device.


The micro:bit app is only available on Android 5-12. If you are using an Android 13 device or a Chromebook, we would recommend using the browser-based editors and a USB cable.

Contents

Using a USB cable with an Android device

One of the simplest ways to work with the micro:bit on Android is by using a cable and transferring a program in the same way you might on a desktop. For this to work, you will need a USB cable or adapter with a cable to give you micro USB on the end connected to the micro:bit and USB-C on the end connected to the Android device.



  1. Plug in your cable and open https://makecode.microbit.org#editor in a Chrome or Edge browser.
  2. Click on the Download button and select Pair.
  3. A browser pop-up will let you select your BBC micro:bit and then click Connect. 
  4. Then select Download and the code will transfer to your micro:bit. You may get an additional notification asking if you want to allow your Android device to communicate with the micro:bit.
  5. The first time you do this it may take a bit longer, but subsequent transfers will be faster.

Pairing the micro:bit and the Android device in the app (Android 5-12 only)


The micro:bit app for Android is available to download from the Google Play Store for Android 5-12 devices (If you are using an Android 13 device, we would recommend using a USB cable instead). Install the app and follow these instructions for pairing and flashing your device.


The Android app may request access to Location services and Storage in order to function properly. Please ensure location services are enabled.



You will need to pair your micro:bit once (per session, if you use different devices or micro:bits). Once paired, you can transfer code to the micro:bit without repeating this step.


To pair the micro:bit with your mobile device you will first need to enter Bluetooth mode:

 

  1. Hold down the A, B and reset buttons simultaneously.
  2. Release the reset button. The LED screen will fill and you should then see the Bluetooth logo, followed by a pairing pattern.


image

Alternatively, for Version 2 micro:bits you can press reset 3 times to enter Bluetooth mode. However, you may need to download to your Version 2 micro:bit once with the app before you can use this method.


You should then see the Bluetooth logo displayed on the micro:bit screen.


Followed by the pairing pattern


3. Copy the pattern into the app


image


4. After tapping PAIR you should receive a success message and a tick/check mark appear on the LED display.




You have now successfully paired the micro:bit. 


Press reset to complete the process

Transferring a program to the micro:bit from the app

You will need to have a micro:bit paired before you can transfer a program to it. We suggest checking your micro:bit is paired at the start of each session (if you change device or micro:bit you may need to re-pair). 


Enter Bluetooth mode again each time you want to connect to the app and transfer a program. There are 2 ways to enter Bluetooth mode:


For Version 2 micro:bits*, press reset 3 times - you may need to download to your Version 2 micro:bit once with the app before you can use the triple press method.

Highlighting the reset button on the back of the micro:bit


* on Version 2 micro:bits the gold edge is bumpy, on V1s it is smooth.


Alternatively, this method works on all micro:bits:

  1. Hold down the A, B and reset buttons simultaneously
  2. Release the reset button. The LED screen will fill and you should then see the Bluetooth logo, followed by a pairing pattern.


image


You should then see the Bluetooth logo displayed on the micro:bit screen.


Followed by the pairing pattern


You can either transfer your code via MakeCode or, if you have previously saved it, from the Flash menu:


3a.  Select 'Create code' to enter MakeCode and choose 'Download' inside Makecode (bottom left button in the editor)

 

OR


3b. Open the 'Flash' page in the app and select the file you wish to transfer and choose 'Flash' to start the transfer process




4. When asked if you want to flash the program to the micro:bit, choose `OK`.


The Android screen will show the progress of the file transfer.


On the first, full flash, the micro:bit will also show the progress of the file transfer. If you are only making edits to the same program, subsequent transfers will be much faster.



When the file is transferred, the screen will update to show that the flash has been successful and the program will start running on the micro:bit.

Troubleshooting

Forget previous pairings

If you experience any issues with the app, the first thing you can try is to 'forget' the previous pairings on your android device. Each time the micro:bit is flashed via USB the pairing information is updated, which means the Android device becomes out of date and you have to start the pairing process again.


1. Open Settings > Connected devices > Previously connected devices and tap on  the cog symbol next to your micro:bit device name.
2. Choose  'Forget' and confirm that you want to forget the device.


Direct flashing

Direct flashing is still in development and as such you may experience issues in using it. Here is some troubleshooting advice for using webUSB with the micro:bit and the editors.