Overview
The micro:bit Android app allows you to connect to a micro:bit device via Bluetooth, transfer programs, write code using the built-in MakeCode editor and download data logged on the micro:bit. The app is developed by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.
When you use the MakeCode editor from within the Android app, it has the same accessibility features as using MakeCode in any browser. See Microsoft MakeCode accessibility support for more details. This statement covers everything else in the app, including managing connections with different micro:bits, sending programs and accessing error help.
A note on alternatives
If you experience accessibility barriers while using the Android app, you might consider using the Microsoft MakeCode editor in a Chrome or Edge browser directly. This does not support Bluetooth connections, but you can download programs to your micro:bit using a USB cable. The app is required if you want to use a Bluetooth connection.
Screen reader support
Bluetooth pairing with a micro:bit relies on seeing the pairing pattern on the micro:bit and requires sighted assistance. The user interface for entering a pairing pattern in the app is not currently screen reader accessible.
The MakeCode editor is not currently accessible with TalkBack. We are actively developing screen reader support for MakeCode in 2026, with an initial focus on desktop browser access using a keyboard. Touch based screen reader navigation on mobile devices is not in scope for this initial release.
We also have existing screen reader support in the micro:bit Python Editor, and you can use this on Android with a USB connection to send programs to your micro:bit.
The rest of the app has partial TalkBack support. You can navigate the app's native screens, but there are some barriers:
- In the main page of the app, there is a menu accessible only with a swipe gesture. Use two fingers to swipe from the left edge of the screen to open the menu, then a standard swipe gesture to move through the buttons. This menu contains a link to Help, About, Privacy, Terms and Conditions, and Feedback. This menu will be made visible and accessible in the next release of the app.
- Focus does not always move to the most relevant content when screens change. You may need to swipe to read all the content. This is particularly relevant when trying alternative methods to put your micro:bit into pairing mode. Swipe to read alternative instructions after tapping “Show another way”.
- Expandable elements in “My programs” do not report their expanded/collapsed state.
- Instructional animations do not have alt text descriptions, but are always accompanied by text instructions.
- In “Fetch MY_DATA” the focus does not change to the instructions when “After Logging” / “During Logging” are selected.
- Some buttons open a link in an external browser without warning.
- Some buttons have duplicate descriptions due to having images and text.
- The FAQ in the help section does not have any semantic heading structure to aid navigation.
Display settings
The app adjusts based on Android text size settings. However, at larger text sizes, some labels may be cut off and the MakeCode editor layout may have issues.
Screen zoom (Settings > Display > Screen zoom) is a better alternative to font scaling. The app responds well to screen zoom and nothing is cut off, and the MakeCode editor also adapts appropriately.
You can also use the onscreen magnifier to magnify parts of the app if required.
Colour inversion, colour filters and high contrast fonts work throughout the app.
Dark mode is not respected. The app has a mixture of white text on a dark background, and black text on a light background.
Switch Access
Switch access has not been tested on Android. If you use switch access, please share your experience with us.
Voice control
There is partial support for using Voice Control to navigate within the native app, but it is not supported in the MakeCode editor. In the native app, button labels are not shown for Voice Control, but you can successfully match based on button text.
Keyboard access
Although an external keyboard can be used to access the native app, the focus indicators are insufficient, making keyboard-only use extremely difficult. Once in the MakeCode editor, keyboard-only use is supported (see keyboard navigation in Microsoft MakeCode).