meshtastic/docs/getting-started/index.mdx

---
id: getting-started
title: Getting Started
sidebar_label: Getting Started
slug: /getting-started
sidebar_position: 2
---

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## Identify Hardware

:::note

This guide assumes that you have already purchased the devices you will be using with Meshtastic. If you haven't, you can check out our list of [supported hardware](/docs/supported-hardware/)
to see your options.
:::

Before you begin, it's important to determine which kind of hardware you're using. Meshtastic works with devices that have either of these two types of Micro-Controller Units (MCU):

### ESP32

The ESP32 chip is older and consumes more power than the nRF52 chip, but is equipped with both WiFi and Bluetooth. Supported ESP32 devices:

- LILYGO® TTGO T-Beam
- LILYGO® TTGO Lora
- Nano G1
- Station G1
- Heltec V3 and Wireless Stick Lite V3

### nRF52

The nRF52 chip is much more power efficient than the ESP32 chip and easier to update, but is only equipped with Bluetooth. Supported nRF52 devices:

- RAK WisBlock
- LILYGO® TTGO T-Echo

:::info

If your device is not listed above, please review our [supported devices](/docs/supported-hardware) to determine which MCU your device has or contact us in [Discord](https://discord.gg/ktMAKGBnBs) with any questions.

:::

:::danger STOP! Put The Power Cable Down!

Never power on the radio without attaching an antenna! _It_ could damage the radio chip.

:::

Prior to connecting your Meshtastic device to the computer, you should perform the following basic checks.

### Verify Data Cable

Some cables only provide _charging_, verify that your cable is also capable of _transferring data_ before proceeding. To check if your cable can also transfer data, try connecting it to another device (like a phone) and see if you can copy a file to or from it. If the file transfer works, then your cable is also able to transfer data and you can continue.

### Install Serial Drivers

:::caution

nRF52 devices typically do not require serial drivers. They use the UF2 bootloader which make the devices appear as flash drives.  Do _NOT_ download the USB device drivers unless required.  You may [test for installed serial drivers](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/test-serial-driver-installation) before continuing.

:::

If you require serial drivers installed on your computer, please choose one of the options below and install it before continuing.

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <div className="split-container">
    <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={'button button--outline button--lg cta--button'}
        to={'/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/esp32'}
      >
        Install ESP32 Drivers
      </Link>
    </div>

  <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={'button button--outline button--lg cta--button'}
        to={'/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/nrf52'}
      >
        Install NRF52 Drivers
      </Link>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

### Flash Firmware

After completing the previous steps, you can now flash the Meshtastic firmware onto your device. To proceed, select the appropriate device type for your device.

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <div className="split-container">
    <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={"button button--outline button--lg cta--button"}
        to={"/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/esp32/"}
      >
        Flash ESP32 Firmware
      </Link>
    </div>

  <div className="split-item">
      <Link
        className={"button button--outline button--lg cta--button"}
        to={"/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/"}
      >
        Flash nRF52 Firmware
      </Link>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

### Connect and Configure Device

After flashing the Meshtastic firmware onto your device, you can now move on to initial configuration.

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link
    className={"button button--outline button--lg cta--button"}
    to={"/docs/getting-started/initial-config"}
  >
    Connect and Configure Device
  </Link>
</div>