The MakeBlock and mBlock apps, on both iOS and Android, connect to mBot via Bluetooth wireless technology.
- Verify mBot is turned on.
- Verify that the Bluetooth radio has been installed on mBot.
- Verify that mBot is NOT already connected to another device. The Bluetooth radio flashes a small blue LED when it is not connected. If it is solid, mBot may already be connected to another device (iPad, tablet, etc.).
- Attempt to connect with mBot through the MakeBlock or mBlock app.
From Makeblock’s main control panel, tap the Bluetooth button in the upper right corner of the screen. Hold your mobile device close to your mBot and Bluetooth wireless technology will connect automatically. When connected, tap the Close button in the upper right corner to return to the main control panel.
In mBlock, the process is similar: On the main screen, tap the “link” icon in the upper right corner. Hold your mobile device close to your mBot and Bluetooth wireless technology will connect automatically. When connected, the app will switch back to the main screen.
Note: If you are using your mBot for the first time, you should have no connection problems. However, if you have been using your mBot with other apps or your computer, you should turn it off and turn it back on to ensure a fresh connection.
If you have been using mBot with the mBlock software (Windows/macOS/ChromeOS) and uploaded your own code to mBot, you will encounter an error message: “Device not supported, or firmware not detected”. You will need to reset the mBot before connecting via Bluetooth wireless technology. To reset your mBot to its default settings, do the following:
- Connect your mBot to a computer with a USB cable.
- Open the mBot software on your computer and choose Serial Port from the Connect menu. Select the COM (USB) port to which mBot is connected.
- Select Reset Default Program from the Connect menu. Your mBot will beep when the upload is finished.