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By Kevin McAleer, 3 Minutes
The simplest way to install MicroPython is by using a software tool such as Thonny (https://thonny.org). Thonny is a Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that makes it easy to write and run Python code on your Raspberry Pi Pico. It also enables us to select from a range of MicroPython firmware versions to install on the Pico.
Download and install Thonny from https://thonny.org.
Thonny
Hold down the boot button on your Raspberry Pi Pico and then connect it to your computer using a USB cable.
boot
Release the boot button. This will put the Pico into bootloader mode, and it will appear on your computer as a USB drive called RPI-RP2.
bootloader mode
RPI-RP2
Open Thonny and select your Pico from the list of devices, from the bottom right of the screen. (It might say Local Python 3 * Thonny's Python until you click it).
Local Python 3 * Thonny's Python
Select the version of MicroPython you want to install and click Install. If you are not sure which version you need, first check the type of Pico you have using the picture in the previous lesson.
Install
You can then select the correct variant of MicroPython from the list. The Raspberry Pi * Pico / Pico H' versions are for the original Pico and Pico H. The Raspberry Pi * Pico W / Pico WH' versions are for the Pico W and Pico WH. The Raspberry Pi * Pico 2' version is for the Pico 2. These appear under the MOST POPULAR section.
variant
Raspberry Pi * Pico / Pico H'
Raspberry Pi * Pico W / Pico WH'
Raspberry Pi * Pico 2'
MOST POPULAR
The Version dropdown is there if you want to install an older version of MicroPython, its probably best to install the latest version unless you have a specific reason to install an older version.
Version
Click on Install MicroPython
Install MicroPython
MicroPython will then install and tell you when it is complete.
You can now write and run MicroPython code on your Raspberry Pi Pico. Note you may have to click the Stop button at the top of the Thonny window to reset the Pico and run your code.
Stop
Congratulations! You have successfully installed MicroPython on your Raspberry Pi Pico.
UF2 files UF2 files are a type of file format that can be used to flash firmware onto microcontrollers. They are easy to use and are supported by a wide range of development tools. When we select the options from Thonny the specific UF2 file is downloaded and installed onto the Pico for us. You can do this manually by visiting https://www.micropython.org and downloading the UF2 file for your Pico, then drag and dropping the UF2 file onto the drive when it is in Bootloader mode (see step 2 above). Variants Variants are different builds of MicroPython that are optimized for different types of microcontrollers. For example, there are different variants of MicroPython for the Raspberry Pi Pico, the ESP32 and the Adafruit Feather M0 Express. Each variant is designed to work with a specific type of microcontroller and may include additional features or optimizations.
UF2 files are a type of file format that can be used to flash firmware onto microcontrollers. They are easy to use and are supported by a wide range of development tools. When we select the options from Thonny the specific UF2 file is downloaded and installed onto the Pico for us. You can do this manually by visiting https://www.micropython.org and downloading the UF2 file for your Pico, then drag and dropping the UF2 file onto the drive when it is in Bootloader mode (see step 2 above).
Variants are different builds of MicroPython that are optimized for different types of microcontrollers. For example, there are different variants of MicroPython for the Raspberry Pi Pico, the ESP32 and the Adafruit Feather M0 Express. Each variant is designed to work with a specific type of microcontroller and may include additional features or optimizations.
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