There are different firmwares that you can use to program the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards. If you want to program the ESP32 or ESP8266 board using the MicroPython firmware, we recommend using uPyCraft IDE. uPyCraft IDE runs in any major operating system. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to install the uPyCraft IDE for MicroPython on Mac OS X.
If you’re using a different operating system, make sure you follow the right guide:
- Install uPyCraft IDE – Windows PC Instructions
- Install uPyCraft IDE – Linux (Ubuntu 16.04) Instructions
After installing uPyCraft IDE in your computer, we recommend reading: Getting Started with MicroPython on ESP32 and ESP8266.
Installing Python 3.X – Mac OS X
Before installing the uPyCraft IDE, make sure you have the latest version of Python 3.X installed in your computer. If you don’t, follow the next instructions to install Python 3.X with the brew command. Open a terminal window and type the next command:
$ brew install python3
Wait a few seconds while the installation procedure is completed.
Allowing Apps Downloaded to Run
Since uPyCraft IDE is open source and downloaded from the Internet, it’s not a verified app in the App Store. For security reasons, Mac OS X blocks unknown apps to run on your computer. Follow these next instructions to enable any downloaded software to run in your Mac.
1. Open the “System Preferences...” menu.
2. Open the “Security & Privacy” menu.
3. At the bottom left corner, click the lock icon to modify your “Security & Privacy” settings:
4. Type your username/password and click the “Unlock” button.
5. Finally, select the option “Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere“.
That’s it, you can close that window.
Installing uPyCraft IDE – Mac OS X
As mentioned before, for this tutorial we’ll be using uPyCraft IDE to program the ESP32 or ESP8266 boards using the MicroPython firmware. In our opinion, uPyCraft IDE is the easiest way of programming ESP based boards with MicroPython at the moment.
You can learn more about uPyCraft IDE on their GitHub repository or explore the uPyCraft IDE source code.
Downloading uPyCraft IDE for Mac OS X
Click here to download uPyCraft IDE for Mac OS X or go to this link https://randomnerdtutorials.com/uPyCraftMac. After a few seconds you should see a similar file (uPyCraft_mac_VX.zip) in your Downloads folder:
Unzip the uPyCraft_mac_VX.zip and you should see a new file called uPyCraft. Double-click the uPyCraft file:
Press the “Open” button to actually run it:
Here’s what should open:
We’ll be using this software to flash our ESP based boards with MicroPython firmware as well as to program the boards.
Follow the next tutorial to flash your ESP boards with the MicroPyhton firmware:
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve found this tutorial useful. This is a quick guide that shows how to install uPyCraft IDE on Mac OS X. If you have a different operating system, read one of the following guides:
- Install uPyCraft IDE – Windows PC Instructions
- Install uPyCraft IDE – Linux (Ubuntu 16.04) Instructions
Learn more about MicroPython with our: MicroPython Programming with ESP32 and ESP8266 eBook
Hi,
Do you have a link to the newer version (v1.1)?
My 1.0 says it wants to upgrade but fails each time 🙁
Regards, Sandy
I have the same problem as Sandy above. My version is v1.0, but upgrade fails.
And 2 years later – the same problem. I wonder if anyone is listening
Hi.
What is exactly your issue?
Regards,
Sara
It is that I can’t upgrade uPycraft . In fact after trying to work with uPycraft, as a beginner I gave up and installed Thonny. I gave up because (a) The font sizes can’t be changed (afaik) and for my eyes it’s hard to read, (b)The destructions on how to use uPycraft are scarce and (c) It seems not to be taken care of much from a support or development standpoint
I found it a lot easier to use Thonny, which I am going to have to explain to some HS students that I am working with.
Tx