Connect your Busy Tag
Busy Tag is powered over USB-C and always needs a power source: a computer, a USB charger, a USB hub or a power bank. How the app talks to it depends on where you run the app.
| You use the app on | Connection | Works with |
|---|---|---|
| Windows or macOS | USB cable to the computer | Every Busy Tag |
| Android or iOS | Wi-Fi, through the Busy Tag cloud | Busy Tag 2 |
Some USB-C cables only carry power. With such a cable the device lights up but the app never finds it. If your computer does not detect Busy Tag, try another cable first.
On a computer (USB)
- Install and open the Busy Tag app.
- Plug Busy Tag into the computer with a USB-C data cable.
- The app finds the device automatically. Its name and Connected via USB appear in the device menu at the top of the app.
If the app reports that the port is in use by another application, close the other program that has the serial port open (a serial terminal, the Arduino IDE or a second Busy Tag window). The device reconnects by itself.
On a phone or tablet (Wi-Fi)
A new Wi-Fi Busy Tag starts its own small Wi-Fi network and shows a QR code on its screen. The app uses it to hand the device your home Wi-Fi details.
- Power on Busy Tag. The QR code appears on its display.
- In the app open Settings → Add device and choose Scan Device QR Code.
- Scan the QR code on the device. The phone joins the device's Wi-Fi.
- Enter your router's Wi-Fi name and password, or pick the network from the list the device found, and tap Configure Device.
- The device joins your network and registers with the Busy Tag cloud. Wait for Configuration Complete!
From then on your phone controls the device over the internet, so it does not need to be on the same network.
A device that was already set up does not show the QR code. Press and hold its reset button for 3 seconds to factory reset it; the QR code comes back.
If the phone refuses to stay on the device's Wi-Fi ("no internet"), turn off mobile data during setup and try again.
Change the Wi-Fi network later
Open the device's settings (Settings → your device) and tap Configure Wi-Fi. You can pick a new network or switch the mode:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Connect to Wi-Fi network | Joins your router (normal use). |
| Hotspot only | Only the device's own Wi-Fi network, no internet. |
| Network + hotspot | Joins your router and keeps its own network available. |
| Off | Wi-Fi off; use USB only. |
Wi-Fi settings need firmware 3.0 or later.
Share a device with someone else
The owner of a device can let other people control it from their own app:
- Owner: open the device's settings and tap Share Device. The app shows a QR code and a Copy link button. The link expires after a while.
- Other person: in Settings → Add device choose Add Shared Device, then scan the QR code (phone) or paste the link (computer).
The original Busy Tag (firmware 2.x) has no Wi-Fi. It can still be shared, but only while it is plugged into a computer that is running the Busy Tag app.
Remove a device
In the device's settings, Disconnect removes the device and factory resets it: its Wi-Fi details and settings are erased and it restarts. This cannot be undone.