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Flash firmware

Use the MeshCore web flasher. Target for this walkthrough: Heltec v4. Role: Companion · Bluetooth.

Verified on this desk: Companion BLE v1.17.1 (heltec_v4_companion_radio_ble-v1.17.1-d929643-merged.bin) written and hash-verified on plain Heltec V4 (2MB PSRAM). Latest companion release at this pass: v1.17.1.

Steps

  1. Open meshcore.io/flasher (or flasher.meshcore.io) in Chrome / Chromium / Edge.
  2. Device: Heltec v4 (from Identify).
  3. Role: Companion / Bluetooth (companionBle) under Community Firmware. Tooltip: Chat via mobile phone App or Web Client: Radio can only connect via Bluetooth.
  4. Enter bootloader mode if the browser cannot open the serial port.
  5. For a clean first install, enable Erase device. That flashes the -merged.bin wipe image. Leave it off for a normal update so you keep the MeshCore identity.
  6. Start the flash and pick the Espressif / ttyACM* port. USB can drop mid-write and return on the same node name — reselect the port if the flasher loses the handle.
  7. Wait until the flasher reports success. Tap RST if the board does not reboot on its own.

MeshCore flasher: Heltec v4 Companion Bluetooth role

Other roles (not this guide)

The same Heltec v4 entry also lists Companion · USB, Repeater, Room Server, and KISS Radio Modem. This walkthrough only covers Companion · Bluetooth for phone pairing.

Do not

  • Flash Repeater or Room Server when you intend to pair a phone companion.
  • Full-erase (Erase device) on a routine update unless you mean to wipe identity.
  • Force a different Heltec target if Heltec v4 is not your board.

Next: First boot.