# micro:bit

> Companion app for the BBC micro:bit, enabling wireless programming and real-time control. (iPhone/iPad app by Micro:bit Educational Foundation.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microbit/id1092687276 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Micro:bit Educational Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1484783422)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 89 App Store ratings · 112 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 59 MB
- Languages: American English, Catalan, Croatian, Dutch, Japanese
- Released: 2016-03-31
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microbit/id1092687276/reviews.md

## What is micro?

The micro:bit app is the essential companion to the BBC micro:bit, the pocket sized programmable computer. The app allows you to flash any micro:bit hex file to your device, as well as including online access to the Microsoft MakeCode editor for simple block-based programming. When your program is ready, the app beams it to the micro:bit via Bluetooth wirelessly. Easy-to-follow screens lead you through the process of pairing your iPad (or iPhone) to the micro:bit and then transferring your program code.

Compared with previous versions, the micro:bit app Version 3.1 contains these additional features:

• A simpler pairing and micro:bit discovery flow
• The micro:bit V2 can be put into pairing mode by triple-tapping the reset button
• Retrieval of the micro:bit data log files from off your micro:bit
• Pair with any number of micro:bits
• Choose which micro:bit is currently connected
• Store HEX files in the app
• Choose a HEX file for flashing
• Export and delete HEX files
• Import stored HEX files directly into JavaScript Blocks editor
• Rapid download from JavaScript Blocks editor
• Monitor data detected by micro:bit sensors
• Use the range of micro:bit Bluetooth services in real time
• Display messages on the micro:bit LEDs
• Send control commands to the micro:bit buttons and pins
• De-bug your program code while it is running in the micro:bit
• Use a simulated gamepad to send commands to the micro:bit
• View camera images ready for taking photos or video

As well as providing more flexible handling of your program scripts and HEX files, a major addition in Version 3 is the Monitor and Control page. This lets you observe real-time data from the micro:bit sensors, send messages directly to the LEDs and control the micro:bit buttons and pins from your iPad or iPhone. Monitor is ideal for exploiting Bluetooth services in real time, and for de-bugging your program code while it is running in the micro:bit.

The MakeCode code editor now requires iOS 13 or later.

## Key features

- Wireless flashing of micro:bit hex files
- Access to Microsoft MakeCode editor
- Bluetooth beaming of programs
- Real-time sensor data monitoring
- Control micro:bit buttons and pins
- Debug running program code
- Store and manage HEX files

## What do users think of micro?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use and quick to set up
- 💻 Allows coding on mobile devices
- 🎓 Great for learning and education
- ⚡ Fast download and installation
- 🔧 Works well once properly configured
- 📱 Convenient on-the-go coding
- 🎯 Effective for beginners
- ✅ Functional Bluetooth flashing capability

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth pairing failures
- 🐛 App crashes during code flashing
- 🐛 Connection drops after flashing
- 📱 Poor optimization for phone screens
- 🔌 Requires frequent device reconnection
- ⚠️ Confusing pairing instructions
- 🌐 Redirects to Safari for coding
- 🔐 Authentication/login issues
- ⏱️ Slow hex file flashing
- 💾 Projects delete after 2 months
- 🎨 Minor grammatical errors in UI
- 🔊 No mute audio option
- 📝 Text string display bug
- ⌨️ Arrow keys not working on iPad

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Bluetooth pairing fails or shows false success
- App crashes when flashing code to micro:bit
- Connection lost after code flashing
- White screen display issue
- Login fails with Google accounts
- Text strings display with extra characters
- Arrow keys non-functional on iPad with Bluetooth
- Pairing pattern entry buggy and unclear
- Safari crashes on iPad 2
- Keyboard blocks code naming on iPhone
- App crashes when sending feedback
- Screen freezes during use
- Recent update broke existing micro:bit connections
- Flashing takes excessive time (1+ minute)

**Most requested features**

- Offline mode for iOS
- Integrated IDE in app instead of Safari redirect
- Support for multiple languages
- Persistent Bluetooth connection after flashing
- Mute audio functionality
- Better pairing instructions
- USB cable connection alternative to Bluetooth
- Improved project save/storage duration
- WebKit Safari view controller integration
- Support for actual MicroPython instead of MakeCode Python
- Device statements for camera operations

## Recent user reviews (10 of 112)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microbit/id1092687276/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Good

*2026-07-29*

This is one if the best coding apps and there are no ads! :D

### 3/5 — unfairness

*2026-07-17, version 3.1.1*

Listen, I was doing one of the Java tutorials and I did what the tutorial said and it said I was wrong, so I went and put it in blocks and switched it to Java and it was the exact same that I did. I don’t know if it was my fault or the tutorials fault but other than that a good app!

### 4/5 — Love it but broke it

*2026-07-12*

I did use the micro:bit but the battery compartment broke

### 5/5 — Very nice app

*2026-06-16*

It’s a coding app that allows you to do anything with your Micro:bit using Bluetooth without a USB cable, it works perfectly for me

### 3/5 — Stop wasting my time

*2026-06-08, version 3.1.1*

so i have to install an app for a website i could easily go on?

### 5/5 — Good

*2026-05-12, version 3.1.1*

The microbit stimulator doesn’t show anything

### 5/5 — Micro:bit

*2026-05-06, version 3.1.1*

I was forced to use this in science class but it’s really fun :D

### 5/5 — Works sooo well!

*2026-03-06, version 3.1.1*

This app helped me every time even helped me used to my Micro bit. It’s actually so good!

### 4/5 — It’s quite great

*2026-01-17, version 3.1.1*

It’s a great app if you don’t know how to do hex files (especially on Apple Mac cuz I have a 10) it’s better for iPads but you can use it for your phone. The only thing is its starting page is very tacky and looks dodgy but it’s not. If you have a laptop DO NOT use this use the cable you get with it, then go on to google go onto make code then program it, if you have a chrome book then it’s easy but with a MacBook I needed to use a hex file which is easy. But remember to eject the micro bit out before pulling on the wire. You can use a micro bit on scratch but for a laptop you need to download scratch link otherwise your all setup!

### 4/5 — Some minor grammatical errors

*2025-08-28, version 3.1.1*

The UI has some minor grammatical errors, such as when sending code to the Micro:Bit it says "Please do not interact with Micro:Bit" rather than "the Micro:Bit" or "your Micro:Bit" as one would expect.

## Frequently asked questions about micro

### What does the micro:bit app do?

The micro:bit app is designed to work with the BBC micro:bit, a small programmable computer. It allows you to wirelessly transfer programs to your micro:bit using Bluetooth, access a block-based coding editor, and monitor sensor data in real-time.

### What are the key features of the micro:bit app?

Key features include wireless beaming of programs via Bluetooth, access to the Microsoft MakeCode editor for block-based programming, real-time monitoring of micro:bit sensor data, and the ability to control micro:bit buttons and pins. It also supports storing and managing HEX files.

### Is the micro:bit app free to use?

Yes, the micro:bit app is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the description.

### What devices is the micro:bit app compatible with?

The app is compatible with iPads and iPhones. The MakeCode editor specifically requires iOS 13 or later.

### How can I use the micro:bit app for programming?

You can use the app to access the Microsoft MakeCode editor, where you can create programs using simple blocks. Once your program is ready, the app beams it wirelessly to your micro:bit via Bluetooth. You can also monitor sensor data and control your micro:bit in real-time.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1.1 — 2025-02-13

Improved interface for Fetch MY_DATA.
Catalan and Dutch translations.
Maintenance and minor bug fixes.

### 3.1.0 — 2023-08-30

•	To create a more intuitive use of the app, the Home screen has been reordered and button descriptors have been updated.
•	Terminology relating to Pairing mode and Flashing have also been updated.
•	Using a simpler pairing and micro:bit discovery flow, the app automatically interacts with MakeCode to ensure that the Bluetooth link between the device and the micro:bit works seemlessly with minimal user interaction.
•	The micro:bit V2 can be put into pairing mode by triple-tapping the reset button.
•	A new option on the My Programs page allows recovery of MY_DATA files from the micro:bit after a data logging session.

### 3.0.9 — 2022-08-31

Japanese translation and minor fixes.

### 3.0.8 — 2022-02-24

Minor fixes to accommodate changes in MakeCode and iOS 15 update.
QR reader facility added for MakeCode files.

### 3.0.7 — 2021-07-08

Update for changes in MakeCode
Bug fixes

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*