PyLeap App

2023-09-12 | By Adafruit Industries

License: See Original Project Bluetooth / BLE Circuit Playground

Guide by Trevor Beaton

Overview

PyLeap is an iOS and iPadOS app that allows users to easily ‎download code files and assets and transfer them to their Adafruit ‎devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi.‎

With PyLeap, users can quickly and conveniently transfer code files ‎and assets from our Adafruit Learn Systems to their Adafruit devices, ‎allowing them to take their projects to the next level.‎

We are releasing an Android version, like many other apps. At this ‎time, there is only an iOS app.‎

This app is designed from the ground up for Adafruit devices that ‎use an nRF52840 for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or an ESP32-S2 ‎TFT feather for Wi-Fi. You can pick one up from the Adafruit Shop ‎along with other accessories:‎

Setting Up CircuitPython

Install CircuitPython

Currently, PyLeap requires Adafruit Boards to run Circuit Python on ‎its board. If you haven't already, you'll need to download ‎the latest version of CircuitPython from the link below.‎

Download CircuitPython for Circuit Playground Bluefruit from ‎CircuitPython.org

Plug your Adafruit device into your computer using a good data-‎capable USB cable.‎

Many people use charge-only USB cables, which is very ‎frustrating, I'm sure! So, make sure you have a USB cable suitable ‎for data sync.‎

Double-click the small Reset button on the Adafruit device ‎‎(indicated by the red arrow in the image.)

A LED will turn red, and then it will turn green. If they turn red and ‎stay red, check the USB cable, try another USB port, etc. The tiny red ‎LED next to the USB connector will pulse red - this is ok!‎

If double-clicking doesn't work the first time, try again. Sometimes it ‎can take a few tries to get the rhythm right!‎

‎(If double-clicking doesn't do it, try a single click!)‎‎ ‎

You will see a new disk drive appear like "CPLAYBTBOOT."‎

Drag the .uf2 file to CPLAYBTBOOT.‎

The LEDs will turn red. Then, the CPLAYBTBOOT drive will disappear, ‎and a new disk drive called CIRCUITPY will appear.‎

That's it. You're done! :)‎

Bluetooth Pairing

After uploading the correct firmware, disconnect your device from ‎your computer and power it via LiPoly or AAA battery pack.‎

Pairing device to PyLeap

Once powered, press the small Reset button in the center of the ‎board (Circuit Playground Bluefruit) or on the top right of the board ‎‎(CLUE). When the blue light flashes, press the Reset button again.‎

Adafruit CLUE Reset Button (Highlighted on the upper right)‎

When done correctly, the LEDs flash yellow, followed by solid blue. ‎Once this occurs, the board will continuously be in discovery mode.‎

Scan & Connect

When your Adafruit device is in discovery mode, hold it very close to ‎your iPhone or iPad to pair. ‎

Below the spinning Blinka, you'll notice a status indicator that will let ‎you know your current pairing status.‎

Once you've found your device and received the Bluetooth Pairing ‎Request message, press Pair to pair your board to your iPhone or ‎iPad.‎

If your Circuit Playground Bluefruit doesn't ‎appear:‎‎

Verify that the green On light is lit.‎‎
Make sure your Adafruit device is running the correct firmware. ‎See the CircuitPython page in this guide.
‎‎Try resetting the Adafruit device by pressing the ‎small Reset button near the center of the board.‎

WiFi Pairing

Setup WiFi Credentials

PyLeap depends on adding WiFi credentials to detect Adafruit ‎devices over WiFi. ‎

Create a file with the name settings.toml in the root directory of ‎the CIRCUITPY drive.‎

Add the following below:‎

The file contains the keys CIRCUITPY_WIFI_SSID and CIRCUITPY_WIFI_PASSWORD. ‎Once these are defined, CircuitPython will automatically connect to ‎the network and start the webserver used for the workflow.‎

The web server is on port 80 unless overridden by CIRCUITPY_WEB_API_PORT. ‎It also enables MDNS.‎

Here is an example settings.toml:‎‎

Download File

Copy Code

Drag the settings.toml file to the CIRCUITPY drive.‎

After this step - Disconnect your device from your computer and ‎power it via LiPoly or AAA battery pack.‎

Open the PyLeap app. Select WiFi and scan for Adafruit devices.‎

After seeing the spinning Blinka animation, you should see a screen ‎with WiFi devices found. Once you've found your device in the ‎peripheral device list, press the Connect button to continue.‎

If WiFi devices were not found, either rescan for WiFi devices or ‎double check your WiFi credentials.‎

Troubleshooting

If you happen to witness this message "Disconnected: Peer removed ‎pairing information " while pairing to a Bluetooth device, there is a ‎way to remedy that. ‎

Go to your Settings app, go to the Bluetooth setting, and delete your ‎Adafruit device from the list.‎

Once you've removed the Circuit Playground Bluefruit device from ‎your device list, for good measure, reset the PyLeap app as well.‎

Modules

Once connected, the app will display a list of projects for you to ‎choose from.‎

Choose one of the projects in the list and go to its related page in ‎this guide to learn more.‎

And more!‎

Press the "Run it" button to download and transfer complete projects ‎to your device.‎

Pairing

Now that you're done uploading the correct ‎firmware, disconnect your device from your computer and power it ‎via LiPoly or AAA battery pack.‎

Pairing device to PyLeap

Circuit Playground Bluefruit with a small Reset button in the center of the board

reset_11

Adafruit CLUE Reset Button (Highlighted on the upper right)‎

When done correctly, the LEDs will flash yellow followed by solid ‎blue. Once this occurs, the board will continuously be in discovery ‎mode.‎

Scan & Connect

When your Circuit Playground Bluefruit or Adafruit CLUE is in ‎discovery mode, hold it very closely to your iPhone or iPadOS to pair. ‎

circuitpython_ezgif_com-gif-maker- Copy

Below the spinning Blinka, you'll notice a status indicator that will let ‎you know your current pairing status.‎

Once you've found your device and received the Bluetooth Pairing ‎Request message, press Pair to pair your board to your iPhone or ‎iPadOS.‎

scan_12

If your Circuit Playground Bluefruit doesn't ‎appear:‎‎

Check to see if your Circuit Playground Bluefruit is powered on. ‎Verify that the green On light is lit.
Make sure your Circuit Playground Bluefruit is running the ‎correct firmware. See the CircuitPython page in this guide.
Try resetting the Circuit Playground Bluefruit by pressing the ‎small Reset button near the center of the board.‎