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.

Get the micro:bit book

The micro:bit book can be downloaded from within the Swift Playgrounds app. From the main screen of the app, scroll down to the 'From Other Publishers' section and tap the 'micro:bit' book:

Tap 'Subscribe' and the book will appear in your subscriptions:

Prepare your micro:bit

The micro:bit will communicate with the iPad wirelessly using Bluetooth Low Energy. As a result you will need to download a 'hex' file and drag it on to your micro:bit (this is called 'flashing'). On a computer with a USB port:

1. Connect your micro:bit to your computer using USB
2. Download the latest Bluetooth control hex file
3. Drag-and-drop the file to your micro:bit to copy it, as described in our First steps guide
4. Your micro:bit is now ready to be used for Swift Playgrounds

Using the Playground

The app contains all the instructions you need to get coding. Once you've downloaded the book on your iPad and have prepared your micro:bit, open the micro:bit book and tap 'Let's Start Coding'. Tap 'Pair micro:bit' to begin pairing your micro:bit with your iPad.

Get support

If you are having problems with the Swift Playgrounds book, please create a new Support ticket.