pimoroni-pico/setting-up-micropython.md

6.2 KiB

Installing MicroPython

We provide pre-built MicroPython images which include all the drivers that include all the libraries and drivers you'll need to use our supported products To install MicroPython, you'll need to copy the appropriate .uf2 file from the releases page to your device while it's in DFU/bootloader mode.

Which file to download?

On the releases page you'll find a bunch of different .uf2 files for use on different RP2040 boards (if you can't see them, click on the arrow next to 'assets' to expand the list). For Badger 2040 and Badger 2040 W you should refer to the Badger 2040 repository.

Board What uf2 file to use Notes
Raspberry Pi Pico and most other RP2040 boards without wireless (Plasma 2040, Interstate 75, Servo 2040, Motor 2040, Tiny 2040 2MB) pico-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Raspberry Pi Pico W and most Pico W Aboard products (Automation 2040 W, Inventor 2040 W, Plasma Stick, Interstate 75 W) picow-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Tufty 2040 tufty2040-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Pimoroni Pico LiPo picolipo_4mb-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 or pimoroni-picolipo_16mb-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 Includes support for the increased flash memory on these boards
Tiny 2040 8MB tiny2040_8mb-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 Includes support for the increased flash memory on this board
Enviro Urban, Indoor, Weather & Grow picow_enviro-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 For a .uf2 with examples built in, go to the Enviro releases page!
Galactic Unicorn picow_galactic_unicorn-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Inky Frame picow_inky_frame-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Badger 2040 W badger2040w-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 or pimoroni-badger2040w-v0.0.1-micropython-with-badger-os.uf2 ⚠️ Badger OS will overwrite your files!
Badger 2040 badger2040-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2 or pimoroni-badger2040-v0.0.1-micropython-with-badger-os.uf2 ⚠️ Badger OS will overwrite your files!
Cosmic Unicorn picow_cosmic_unicorn-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2
Stellar Unicorn picow_stellar_unicorn-vx.x.x-pimoroni-micropython.uf2

Entering DFU/bootloader mode

If you have a board with a reset button:

Lucky you! With your board plugged into your computer, just hold down the BOOTSEL button and tap RESET. A new drive should pop up on your computer called 'RPI_RP2'.

If your board has a power on/off button instead of a reset button, you'll need to hold down BOOTSEL and press the power button twice to cut the power, and then turn it on again.

If you have a board without a reset button:

  • Disconnect the USB cable from your board.
  • Press and hold the 'BOOTSEL' button.
  • Plug the USB cable back into your board (making sure to keep 'BOOTSEL' pressed). A new drive should pop up on your computer called 'RPI_RP2'.

Here's what the 'RPI-RP2' drive looks like in Windows:

Screenshot showing the RPI-RP2 drive

Copying the firmware to your board

Copy the downloaded firmware image across to the 'RPI-RP2' drive. Once it has finished uploading (which takes a few seconds) the board will restart itself.

⚠ Note that once your board restarts running MicroPython it will no longer show up as a drive. To program it and to transfer files to and from it you'll need to use an interpreter, such as Thonny or Mu.

You can also transfer files to boards running MicroPython using command line tools, like mpremote.

Where are the examples?

Note that most of our MicroPython images don't include examples, so you'll need to copy across the ones you want using Thonny. You can find all our MicroPython examples at the link below.

Troubleshooting

Having trouble getting started? Check out the link below: