User guide

MakeCode apps

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Pair your micro:bit with the app

Connect your micro:bit to your phone or tablet - this is called pairing. The app searches for a signal from the micro:bit and then they swap a code to make sure the right micro:bit is paired with your app. The app contains instructions on how to do this and you can see how it works in these videos.

Top tips

• Before you start, it’s a good idea to use a computer to flash a fresh MakeCode HEX file onto your micro:bit, especially if you’ve previously been using Python with your micro:bit. Use your own program or any of our MakeCode projects.
• Make sure you pair your micro:bit and mobile device every time you transfer a MakeCode program.
• When pairing, make sure you hold down the A + B buttons long enough for all the LEDs on the display to light up.
• If you’re using batteries to power your micro:bit, make sure they are fresh. Even if the micro:bit seems to be working, it may not have enough power for the Bluetooth radio function to work.
• For help with the apps and any other aspects of micro:bit, check out our Knowledge base or submit a help request.

Swift Playgrounds

Swift Playgrounds is an app for the iPad and Mac computers that helps teach people to code in the Swift language using interactive 'books'. We've created a book that interacts with the micro:bit wirelessly, helping you to learn the fundamentals of code while having fun with your micro:bit!

Get the Swift Playgrounds app

Download and install Swift Playgrounds from the App Store. It works on iPads with iOS 11 and newer on iPad Air, Air 2 and 5th-gen iPad, iPad Mini 2, 3, 4 and all iPad Pros and also on Mac computers running macOS 10.15.3 or later.

Read our guide to downloading and using the Swift Playgrounds book on our micro:bit Knowledge Base