Apple iOS devices (i.e. iPads and iPhones) prevent communication with the micro:bit over a cable. So, when using an iPad (or iPhone) with your micro:bit we have provided an app that enables you to communicate wirelessly using Bluetooth. These instructions explain how to complete key tasks on the iPad (or iPhone) using the app. 


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Download the app and enable Bluetooth

The micro:bit app for iOS enables you to write code in MakeCode and handles the Bluetooth connection to send code to your micro:bit or retrieve My_Data.htm files from your micro:bit.


The micro:bit app for iOS is available to download from the App Store. 

Apple App Store icon

The app requires iOS 13 or later.


After downloading the app, on the iPad (or iPhone), please ensure:

  • Bluetooth is turned on
  • Bluetooth is enabled for the micro:bit app: to do this visit Settings, scroll down the list of apps, select the micro:bit app, then check Bluetooth is on under 'Allow micro:bit to access'. 



Creating code in MakeCode in the micro:bit iOS app

Once the iOS app has loaded, choose 'Create Code' to enter MakeCode and write your program. 

Home screen on the micro:bit iOS app


If you would like to start a new MakeCode project inside the app at any time, you can return to the MakeCode home screen by selecting the house symbol at the top right of the code editor. Alternatively, to return to the app's home screen use the back arrow at the top left. 


Note: It is not currently possible to use the micro:bit Python Editor within the iOS app. 



Sending a MakeCode program to the micro:bit on an iPad (or iPhone)

When you are ready to try your program on your micro:bit select 'Download' and follow the instructions to transfer your code to your micro:bit. 


This video takes you through the process in detail:



Each time you send code to your micro:bit on an iPad (or iPhone) you will need to first enter Bluetooth mode (except in some advanced projects where Bluetooth mode has been permanently enabled in the project). 

As described in the video, to enter Bluetooth mode you press the reset button 3 times (or if that does not work, the alternative method is to simultaneously hold the A and B buttons, then keeping these held, press and release the reset button).


When Bluetooth mode is successfully entered, the LED screen will fill and you should then see the Bluetooth logo.



Transferring a MakeCode program from your web browser into MakeCode inside the iOS app

Sometimes, on an Apple iPad (or iPhone), you may want to transfer a MakeCode project from the web to the micro:bit iOS app so that you can send it to your micro:bit or work on it more inside the app. 


This is the approach to follow if you started the project in a web browser or are using a project provided on the microbit.org website as a starting point.


This approach will also work if students are part of a micro:bit classroom session. They can join a micro:bit classroom session, write their code in MakeCode in a Chrome web browser, and then, each time they want to transfer it to their micro:bit they can follow the instructions below to open their code inside the app (and then transfer it to the micro:bit). Note, if they are part of a micro:bit classroom session, they should return to the web browser version of their code to make changes if they want their edits to be visible within the micro:bit classroom session. 


To open a MakeCode program in the iOS app:

  1. First, you will need the micro:bit iOS app and the Chrome web browser installed on your iPad (or iPhone).
  2. Open the program in MakeCode in the Chrome web browser on the iPad (or iPhone) (this process will not work with the default Safari web browser).
  3. Select 'Download' and you will see a dialogue box titled 'Download ready...' prompting you to click 'Download' to open the micro:bit app.
  4. Select 'Download' in this dialogue box.Screenshot showing 'Download ready' dialogue box with buttons Download or Done.
  5. You will see a system message: "Chrome" wants to open "micro:bit". Select Open.Screenshot showing system message: Chrome wants to open micro:bit with buttons Open or Cancel
  6. You will then be taken into the micro:bit iOS app directly to the MakeCode editor inside the app with your code visible.


If you wish, from here, follow the instructions above to transfer your MakeCode program to your micro:bit.



Transferring a HEX file to your micro:bit

Sometimes you may have a HEX file that has already been created that you wish to transfer to your micro:bit (e.g. the Meet the micro:bit program that comes pre-loaded with new micro:bits). 


Please follow these instructions to transfer a HEX file to your micro:bit on an iOS device.



Viewing a My_Data.htm file from your micro:bit on your iPad (iPhone)

If you have conducted a data logging activity on your micro:bit, the data you will have collected is stored in a My_Data.htm file on the micro:bit. These instructions explain how to view My_Data.htm files on an iPad or iPhone. 




Troubleshooting

  • If you struggle to send code to your micro:bit, try using a computer to transfer a fresh MakeCode HEX file ontoyour micro:bit before trying again with your iPad. This resets the micro:bit in case the current program on the micro:bit is causing a problem.
    • You can use the simple heart program suggested in Reset your micro:bit or write your own in MakeCode.
    • This can be necessary if your micro:bit has an error or previously had a project on it that was not written in MakeCode (e.g. a Python project).

  • Make sure you enter Bluetooth mode each time you are prompted to on the mobile device.

  • Low battery power can cause problems with the Bluetooth radio function. Even if your micro:bit appears to be working, if you’re using batteries to power your micro:bit, try replacing the batteries with fresh ones if you have problems.


  • When pairing using A + B + reset, make sure you hold down the A + B buttons long enough after pressing and releasing the reset button for all the LEDs on the display to light up.