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

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## Identify your Hardware

The first order of business in getting started is determining what type of hardware you will be working with. Meshtastic currently supports devices with either of the two Microcontroller Units (MCU):

### ESP32

The ESP32 is older and consumes more power than the nrf52, but is equiped with both WiFi and Bluetooth. Supported ESP32 devices:

- LILYGO® TTGO T-Beam
- LILYGO® TTGO Lora
- Nano G1
- Station G1

### NRF52

The NRF52 is much more power effecient than the esp32 and easier to update, but is only equiped Bluetooth. Supported NRF52 devices:

- RAK WisBlock
- LILYGO® TTGO T-Echo

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

## Connect your device

:::danger
Stop! 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 _transfering data_ before proceeding. 

There is no definitive way to determine the difference in cables if you aren't willing to pull it apart. Trying out a few cables will be the best way to verify.

Once you've located a working data cable, [install the correct serial driver](#install-serial-drivers) and [test for driver installation](#test-for-driver-installation).


### Install Serial Drivers

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link target="_blank"
    className={'button button--outline  button--lg cta--button'}
    to={'/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers'}
  >
    Install Serial Drivers
  </Link>
</div>

### Test for driver installation

You can verify that you have a proper data cable (rather than a charge-only type cable) and that the appropriate drivers for your system are installed by performing the following test: 

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1. Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
2. Open a **Terminal** and enter the following command:

  ```shell
  lsusb
  ```
3. You should see something like: 

  ```shell
  ID xxxx:xxxx Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge
  # or
  ID xxxx:xxxx QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial
  # or
  FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)
  ```

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="macos">

1. Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB`. 
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:
  - `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
  - `CH9102 USB to UART Bridge Controller`
  - `WisCore RAK4631 Board`

</TabItem>
<TabItem value="windows">

1. Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:
  - `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
  - `Silicon Labs CH9102 USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
  - `FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)`

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:::info
If you do not see your device:

1. You may be using a charging-only cable, [verify your cable](#verify-data-cable).
2. You may need to [install the USB serial driver](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers)).
:::

## Flashing Firmware

### ESP32

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

### NRF52

For RAK4631 users, if you have a RAK4631-R (the RUI3 bootloader version of the RAK4631), please [convert to the Arduino bootloader](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/#convert-rak4631-r-to-rak4631)

<div className="indexCtasBody">
  <Link target="_blank"
    className={'button button--outline button--lg cta--button'}
    to={'/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/'}
  >
    Flash NRF52 Firmware
  </Link>
</div>

## Use Meshtastic

There are many ways to interact with and use Meshtastic, please visit the [Software](/docs/software) page for more information.

### with mobile apps
  - [Android](/docs/software/android/)
  - [Apple](/docs/software/apple/)

### with a browser
  - https://client.meshtastic.org
  - [Meshtastic Web](/docs/software/web/)

### over the internet with MQTT
  - [MQTT](/docs/software/mqtt/)