Transferring programs to your micro:bit

Most of the time you’ll be writing and testing your programs in the simulator. Once you’ve finished your program though, you can compile it and run it on your micro:bit. Transferring your program to the micro:bit is as simple as clicking the Download button, or by saving a file to a drive on your computer.

Transfer using a WebUSB connection

With some newer browsers, you can transfer your program to the micro:bit with a single click. If your browser supports WebUSB, you can use the one-click download feature to send your programs to the micro:bit. See the WebUSB page to learn how to pair your micro:bit with a computer and transfer your programs with a single click.

Downloading your program as file

If your browser doesn’t support WebUSB or you want to use your computer’s file system to transfer your program instead, you can download it to the micro:bit as a file. When you plug your micro:bit into USB, a new drive is created with the MICROBIT label. This is where you’ll save your program.

The basic steps are:

1. Connect your micro:bit to your computer with a USB cable.
2. Click Download to download the .hex file.
3. Move the .hex file from your computer onto the MICROBIT drive. The next section has instructions for the browser that you’re using.

How to transfer the program with your browser

Here are instructions for different browsers on Windows and Mac computers. Choose the one you’re using:

Windows browsers

• Microsoft Edge
• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox

Mac browsers

• Safari
• Chrome
• Firefox