Controlling the Micro:bit from a Phone App

[@bsiever]

The "Devices" extension doesn't seem to show up when you search for it now. You can manually add "Devices" manually to a new project. You'd: 1. Create a new project; 2. Add the Bluetooth extension (as shown); 3. Go to the gear menu in the upper right and pick "Project Settings"; 4. Click "Edit Settings As text"; 5. Type the line "devices": "*", right above the bluetooth line (include the double quotes (") and the comma (,)). 6. Click on the "Blocks" at the top to return to the editor view 7. For the "Devices" palette to be redrawn you may need to either reload the page or click "Blocks" and then JavaScript/Pyhton and Blocks again.

[@aayushtiru3950]

Thanks for the tutorial I have been trying to connect my mobile but wasn't able to

[@palpatel8809]

Can u please create a tutorial I need that for my project

[@cicihyrum3469]

It didnt show up

[@bsiever]

@@cicihyrum3469 You may have to reload the page/project. You can also try this link to an empty project that contains the Devices toolbox. Just hit the edit button and customize it: makecode.microbit.org/_C733433TYJsd

[@dabitzz]

@@palpatel8809 i made a tutorial on how to get the devices extension kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3TLlmiXjrybmKc

[@amateurishanimation]

This was helpful, I wanted to make a remote control car with my microbit

[@happybreak5318]

thank you very much now it works

[@artjomskucajevs5706]

Am i able to connect to the microbit from a phone wirelessssly if its connected to an external powersupply ie. not a pc.

[@bsiever]

Yes. The only reason it was connected in the video was to allow me to show the details of programming it. Once it is programmed, you can connect while it's on battery power (or other forms of power supply).

[@unai0675]

Good tutorial but when I connected my Micro-bit to the app in my menu doesn't show the monitor and control

[@bsiever]

Are you using iOS? Unfortunately, I don't think the Android version of the app includes this feature.

[@steamthinkingroboticaeduca]

Hi, I bought the app and it works perfectly. I would like to implement some of this funcionalies for an APP that I am creating. Is it possible to acces to the code of the app to adapt it to my project? Thank you!

[@bsiever]

Hi --- they MakeCode blocks for the Bluetooth Services used by the app can be used by other apps, including the one you are writing. Some of the specifications for those services can be found here: lancaster-university.github.io/microbit-docs/resources/bluetooth/bluetooth_profile.html . It's also possible to look at the service implementation in the source code of MakeCode and the micro:bit runtimes. If you haven't worked with bluetooth LE before, you may want to start by experimenting with a bluetooth browser App, like LightBlue (on iOS) or nRF Connect (iOS and Android).

[@steamthinkingroboticaeduca]

@@bsiever Thanks!

[@niceman567]

Thanks for the video, I can't seem to find the "DEVICES" in extension, has that been discountinued?

[@bsiever]

"Devices" is not being supported any longer, but it can still be added and used. See my other comments on this video for instructions to use it or look at this support article: support.microbit.org/support/solutions/articles/19000125262-makecode-devices-extension

[@niceman567]

@@bsiever thanks a lot

[@Sternhammer89]

Hi, I am a teacher with two classes building MicroBit buggies, we want to control them using BlueTooth and have iPads. After much searching and looking at out of date apps, I came across this video (having already found Martin Wooley's Bitty Controller). I have been trying to get it working but first realised my old class set of MicroBit V1's needed a firmware update. I then found the 'Devices' extension is no longer supported, but did manage to add it (before I found your responses below to the same problems). I did this but whenever I try to scan, no devices can be found. I have not yet had time to test the official MicroBit IOS app, but will hopefully do that shortly (it's also free which helps :-) )

[@bsiever]

Hi Bill --- Are you sure you disabled "Pairing", which I show how to do at about 42 seconds into the video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6aqhXWQh9x2Y5o)? This has to be done on each project and then, of course, the micro:bit needs to be updated with the new code. It may also be necessary to include at least one Bluetooth Service. The micro:bit _should_ show up in scans without much trouble if you disable pairing. (Disabling pairing makes it a lot easier to use Bitty Controller) Good Luck!

[@bsiever]

One more idea. It's also possible to use the Yahboom's MBit app to control almost anything over Bluetooth without the Devices blocks. Here's a thread on the Makecode Forum where I describe the approach: forum.makecode.com/t/android-app-discord/7696/9

[@Sternhammer89]

@@bsiever Tried again, couldn't get BittyBlue to recognise the MicroBit, but after a couple of goes with the MicroBit IOS app I manage to display North and south arrows on the Microbit. It did keep disconnecting though.

[@lookyfunny8419]

Hi there. In bitty app options I have only scan time and device filtering and no option like yours in video. App doesnt recognize mbit. Is there any direct link for bitty android app ? Thanks

[@bsiever]

Hi --- things to check: a) Are you sure Bluetooth is on/enabled on your phone? b) Did you update the project to disable Pairing (shown at 0:48 in the video)? c) You may want to try the "micro:bit pairing" (shown around 4:35 in the video). Pairing is/was required for the iOS app when the video was made. It might not be anymore. You might be able to try a different approach. Here's an old thread showing how the MBit app's controller could be used to interact with the micro:bit: forum.makecode.com/t/android-app-discord/7696/9 . It includes a link to generic code that worked at the time.

[@gorombolyierik]

hello i disabled the pairing but when i want to connect with my phone a menu is coming up saying you need to enter a 4 digit code but i disabled it and if a iset the 6 digit code thing then the microbit wont show the 6 six digit its just black

[@bsiever]

Are you using an Android or iOS phone? If you had previously paired your phone and micro:bit you may need to go to your Bluetooth settings and remove the micro:bit from the known/paired devices. (You may also want to double check all settings and update the micro:bit's program again)

[@gorombolyierik]

@@bsiever android and i tried on a phone that had never been paired tovit and a phone that has been but still needs the code

[@bsiever]

@@gorombolyierik Can you share a link to the project? (As described here:makecode.microbit.org/share )

[@davidperks1514]

Very interesting presentation. I'm off to test out these features.

[@darshnikmakwana1162]

can i use bluetooth and usb serial communication simultaneously ?

[@bsiever]

Yes, you should be able to use it while also using USB serial!

[@maciekkrasnicki9773]

Hi! I have one question, is there any possibility to connect micro:bit with PC via Bluetooth or other wireless option?

[@bsiever]

Sure! If you want to see how to send data from the micro:bit to a PC, see one of my other examples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3vMlZeHrLCDmc0 ; If you want the micro:bit to act like a Bluetooth HID device, see this demo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGWtZnqEbJeBlZY (It shows a MakeCode extension I made). For other Bluetooth options, search for Bluetooth here: github.com/carlosperate/awesome-microbit/

[@maciekkrasnicki9773]

@@bsiever Okay, I've checked it:) And I have one more question, is there any way to connect with Robot MaqueenPlus Micro:bit to PC via bluetooth? I am asking, because if I use an extension for bluetooth then I cannot use an extension for MaqueenPlus. Do you know if there is any possibility to do it?

[@bsiever]

@@maciekkrasnicki9773 Maybe. I've created a "fork" of the MaQueen+ Extension that you can try, but I have not tested it at all. You can add it by going to add extensions and in the search bar enter "bsiever/pxt-DFRobot_MaqueenPlus_v20", hit enter, and select the tile. You can then add Bluetooth (and remove Radio). Or you can open this test project that has both the MaQueen blocks and Bluetooth blocks: makecode.microbit.org/_CeUd19asyJLH . By the way, the RGB lights may interfere with Bluetooth behavior. It may be necessary to not use both in the same script. Good luck!

[@bsiever]

@@maciekkrasnicki9773 In addition to my other suggestions, you may want to ask questions like this on the MakeCode Micro:bit forum: forum.makecode.com/c/microbit or ask DFRobot (makers of MaQueen)

[@maciekkrasnicki9773]

@@bsiever Hi again! Thank you very much for your great help:) Unfortunately, I have one more question. I created an app for Andrid in App Inventor to control MaqueenPlus, but I have one problem with downloading a program to a micro:bit via MakeCode. I created this app using BlocklyTalky in App Inventor (it works without any problems) and in MakeCode (unfortunately when I want to download a program on micro:bit V2 there is an error 927). I' ve checked it and it means that "The program is incompatible with the micro:bit version you are using". Do you have any idea how I can fix it? Is there any version of BlocklyTalky for micro:bit V2? Or is there any way to change micro:bit V2 "software" for micro:bit V1 "software"? Or maybe You know another way to create such an app? Please let me know, have a nice day:)

[@palpatel8809]

The devices extension is not showing

[@bsiever]

See my comment below for details to add it yourself. Or try this project: makecode.microbit.org/_6p08qDUF2Vs8

[@plotaAAAA]

i cant fiind devices extensions

[@bsiever]

It's no longer officially supported, so it doesn't show up in the Extensions list. "Devices" may still work in older projects. You can try using this empty project, which already includes the Devices toolbox: makecode.microbit.org/_C733433TYJsd

[@calebjoest6791]

Rip i either buy glitchy app or buy an iphone...

[@aayushtiru3950]

You can use kitronik move app it work just as nicely and is free and is on Android