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micro:bit UART Terminal on Windows Pc

Developed By: Ferdinand Stueckler

License: Free

Rating: 4,2/5 - 12 votes

Last Updated: April 16, 2024

Compatible with Windows 10/11 PC & Laptop

App Details

Version	2.5
Size	1.1 MB
Release Date	May 26, 19
Category	Communication Apps
App Permissions: Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices. [see more (4)]
What's New: HEX mode [see more]
Description from Developer: This app communicates between Android and a micro:bit device. You can transmit and receive text in 'notification' or 'indication' mode. The UART communication also... [read more]

App preview ([see all 3 screenshots])

About this app

On this page you can download micro:bit UART Terminal and install on Windows PC. micro:bit UART Terminal is free Communication app, developed by Ferdinand Stueckler. Latest version of micro:bit UART Terminal is 2.5, was released on 2019-05-26 (updated on 2024-04-16). Estimated number of the downloads is more than 1,000. Overall rating of micro:bit UART Terminal is 4,2. Generally most of the top apps on Android Store have rating of 4+. This app had been rated by 12 users, 1 users had rated it 5*, 7 users had rated it 1*.

How to install micro:bit UART Terminal on Windows?

Instruction on how to install micro:bit UART Terminal on Windows 10 Windows 11 PC & Laptop

In this post, I am going to show you how to install micro:bit UART Terminal on Windows PC by using Android App Player such as BlueStacks, LDPlayer, Nox, KOPlayer, ...

Before you start, you will need to download the APK/XAPK installer file, you can find download button on top of this page. Save it to easy-to-find location.

[Note] You can also download older versions of this app on bottom of this page.

Below you will find a detailed step-by-step guide, but I want to give you a fast overview of how it works. All you need is an emulator that will emulate an Android device on your Windows PC and then you can install applications and use it - you see you're playing it on Android, but this runs not on a smartphone or tablet, it runs on a PC.

If this doesn't work on your PC, or you cannot install, comment here and we will help you!

Install using BlueStacks
Install using NoxPlayer

Step By Step Guide To Install micro:bit UART Terminal using BlueStacks

Download and Install BlueStacks at: https://www.bluestacks.com. The installation procedure is quite simple. After successful installation, open the Bluestacks emulator. It may take some time to load the Bluestacks app initially. Once it is opened, you should be able to see the Home screen of Bluestacks.
Open the APK/XAPK file: Double-click the APK/XAPK file to launch BlueStacks and install the application. If your APK/XAPK file doesn't automatically open BlueStacks, right-click on it and select Open with... Browse to the BlueStacks. You can also drag-and-drop the APK/XAPK file onto the BlueStacks home screen
Once installed, click "micro:bit UART Terminal" icon on the home screen to start using, it'll work like a charm :D

[Note 1] For better performance and compatibility, choose BlueStacks 5 Nougat 64-bit read more

[Note 2] about Bluetooth: At the moment, support for Bluetooth is not available on BlueStacks. Hence, apps that require control of Bluetooth may not work on BlueStacks.

How to install micro:bit UART Terminal on Windows PC using NoxPlayer

Download & Install NoxPlayer at: https://www.bignox.com. The installation is easy to carry out.
Drag the APK/XAPK file to the NoxPlayer interface and drop it to install
The installation process will take place quickly. After successful installation, you can find "micro:bit UART Terminal" on the home screen of NoxPlayer, just click to open it.

Discussion

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Download older versions

Other versions available: 2.5.

Download micro:bit UART Terminal 2.5 on Windows PC – 1.1 MB

This app communicates between Android and a micro:bit device. You can transmit and receive text in 'notification' or 'indication' mode. The UART communication also has to be implemented at the micro:bit device (Block, Javascript, MBED).

Options:
- Indication: Default micro:bit mode (otherwise notification mode)
- LF: Linefeed added
- CR: Carriage return added

Requirements:
- Min. Android 5
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Paired devices
- micro:bit programm (developed by yourself)

V 2.1: Copy to Clipboard (Option Menu)
V 2.2: Clear List (Option Menu), No Log Option
V 2.5: Hex Mode

MBED example:

#include "MicroBit.h"
#include "MicroBitUARTService.h"
#include "BMP180.h"

MicroBit uBit;
MicroBitUARTService *uart;
BMP180 bmp180(P0_30, P0_0);
char buffer[80];
float pressure,temperature;

int connected = 0;

void onConnected(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll("C");
connected = 1;
}

void onDisconnected(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll("D");
connected = 0;
}

void onButtonA(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll(buffer);
}

void onButtonB(MicroBitEvent e)
{
uBit.display.scroll("SK");
}

/*
IMPORTANT !!!
Oherwise you will run out of memory !

Recommend disabling the DFU and Event services in MicroBitConfig.h since they are not needed here:
microbit->microbit-dal->inc->core->MicroBitConfig.h

#define MICROBIT_BLE_DFU_SERVICE 0
#define MICROBIT_BLE_EVENT_SERVICE 0
#define MICROBIT_SD_GATT_TABLE_SIZE 0x500
*/

int main()
{
bmp180.Initialize(64, BMP180_OSS_ULTRA_LOW_POWER);
pressure = -1;
temperature = -1;
if (bmp180.ReadData(&temperature,&pressure))
sprintf(buffer, "%.2f C %4.0f hPa", temperature, pressure);
else
sprintf(buffer,"NOK");

// Initialise the micro:bit runtime.
uBit.init();

uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BLE, MICROBIT_BLE_EVT_CONNECTED, onConnected);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BLE, MICROBIT_BLE_EVT_DISCONNECTED, onDisconnected);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BUTTON_A, MICROBIT_BUTTON_EVT_CLICK, onButtonA);
uBit.messageBus.listen(MICROBIT_ID_BUTTON_B, MICROBIT_BUTTON_EVT_CLICK, onButtonB);

uart = new MicroBitUARTService(*uBit.ble, 32, 32);
uBit.display.scroll(":)");

while(1)
{
pressure = -1;
temperature = -1;
if (bmp180.ReadData(&temperature,&pressure))
sprintf(buffer, "%.2f C %4.0f hPa", temperature, pressure);
else
sprintf(buffer,"NOK");

if (!connected) {
uBit.sleep(500);
}
else
{
uart->send(buffer);
uBit.sleep(1000);
}

}

release_fiber();
}

HEX mode

Allows applications to connect to paired bluetooth devices.
Allows applications to discover and pair bluetooth devices.
Allows an app to access precise location.
Allows an app to access approximate location.