Setting Up micro:bit

Getting your micro:bit Stood Up

micro:bit is an awesome, cheap solution for people to start branching out into coding. Microsoft's MakeCode allows you to start working with micro:bit using block coding, but you can also use languages like Python to send commands through the micro:bit, if you are ready to dive deeper into the world of software development. What's better is that you can use either micro:bit's web python editor or a program like Mu to make your deep dive. If you want to explore your options a bit more, feel free to check out our setup guides for each:

  1. Python, using micro:bit's Web Python Editor
  2. Python, using Mu

Quick Start Guides

micro:bit has writen some awesome tutorials to quickly get your micro:bit set up using Windows, macOS, Linux or, even, your Mobile/Tablet.

Flashing Files to micro:bit

You can either use a program like Mu to flash files to your micro:bit or you can simply drag and drop files from a folder on your computer to the micro:bit drive to transfer the files. Either way, only one program can be loaded onto your micro:bit at a time; if you load a new file onto your micro:bit, it will replace the previous one you had loaded, if any.

Using Mu

Mu has two options for moving files to your micro:bit:

  1. You can write or edit a file in Mu and then use the "Flash" button across the top to move it to the micro:bit that is plugged into your computer.
  2. You can click the "Files" button across the top to open a menu across the bottom of the program that will show the files on the Mu and the files accessible to the Mu application (those that have been written in Mu previously, or loaded in using the "Load" button in the top bar) and drag files from the computer side to the micro:bit side.

This method is a bit more involved, but is also more visual and gives you confirmation when your actions are(n't) successful.

Drag and Drop

If you have used the online MakeCode editor to create a program for your micro:bit or simply have files that are already on your computer, you can easily drag and drop them onto your MICROBIT drive (which should show up on your desktop and in your file system).

This method is quick and easy, but can be a bit more confusing as to whether it has successfully taken place.

  • It is normal for your micro:bit to "disconnect" as you flash a file to it by dragging and dropping it.
  • If you subsequently open your micro:bit after dragging and dropping a file to it and don't see the file, that is okay! Your micro:bit has just determined that the loaded file is code that can be run on its own and the file itself doesn't need to be taking up space, so it won't show up in the files on the micro:bit if you click into the drive (MICROBIT).
Web Python Editor →