Microbitmicro:bit

micro:bit is a tiny circuit board designed to help kids learn to code and create with technology. It has many features including an LED display, buttons, and a motion sensor. You can connect it to Scratch and build creative projects that combine the magic of the digital and physical worlds.
Illustration of the micro:bit circuit board.
Requirements
Windows 10 version 1709+macOS 10.15+ChromeOSAndroid 6.0+BluetoothScratch Link
Choose your OS:

Install Scratch Link

1
Download and install Scratch Link.
orDirect download
2
Start Scratch Link and make sure it is running. It should appear in your notification area (system tray).
3
To learn more about Scratch Link, click here.If you have trouble, see the Troubleshooting section for tips.

Getting Started

Install Scratch micro:bit HEX

1

Connect a micro:bit to your computer with a USB cable

2
Download the Scratch micro:bit HEX file
3
Drag and drop the HEX file from the folder you downloaded it to to the micro:bit.

Drag and drop the HEX file onto your micro:bit

Connecting micro:bit to Scratch

1

Power your micro:bit with USB or a battery pack.

2

Use the Scratch editor.

3
In the editor, click on the "Add Extensions" button on the lower left.

Add the micro:bit extension.

Things to Try

Display “Hello!”

1
Find the “display hello” block and click on it.
2
You should see “hello” scroll across the micro:bit display
A micro:bit displaying an H.

Starter Projects

A Scratch project with a heart.

Heart Beat

Press the buttons to animate the heart.

A Scratch project with a guitar.

Tilt Guitar

Make music by tilting your micro:bit.

A Scratch project with a clown fish and a saxophone under water.

Ocean Adventure

Build your own controller and swim toward the saxophones.

Download micro:bit Cards

These cards show how to start making projects with micro:bit and Scratch.

Troubleshooting

Make sure Scratch Link is running

If Scratch Link does not appear in your notification area (system tray), run Scratch Link from your Start menu.

Make sure your browser is compatible with Scratch Link

Scratch Link is compatible with most browsers on macOS and Windows. For Safari, please update to Scratch Link 2.x, Safari 14 or newer, and macOS 10.15 or newer.

Make sure your operating system is compatible with Scratch Link

The minimum operating system versions are listed at the top of this page. See instructions for checking your version of Windows or macOS.

If you are using macOS 12, please update to macOS 12.3 or newer. Earlier versions of macOS 12 may not work correctly with Scratch Link.

Close other copies of Scratch

Only one copy of Scratch can connect with the micro:bit at a time. If you have Scratch open in other browser tabs, close it and try again.

Make sure no other computer is connected to your micro:bit

Only one computer can be connected to a micro:bit at a time. If you have another computer connected to your micro:bit, disconnect the micro:bit or close Scratch on that computer and try again.

Make sure you aren’t hitting the “reset” button

Sometimes while using the micro:bit you can accidentally press the “reset” button on the back in-between the USB and power ports. Make sure you keep your fingers (and toes) away from it while using Scratch!

Make sure you have location services enabled on Chromebooks or Android tablets

Bluetooth can be used to provide location data to the app. In addition to granting the Scratch App permission to access location, location must be enabled in your general device settings. Search for 'Location' in your settings, and make sure it is on. On Chromebooks search for 'Location' in the Google Play Store Android preferences.