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WiFi Configuration

The WiFi config options are: AP Mode, Hidden AP, SSID and Password. WiFi config uses an admin message sending a Config.WiFi protobuf.

info

Enabling WiFi will disable bluetooth. Only one connection method will work at a time.

ESP32 devices have the ability to connect to WiFi as a client and also are able to create a software based access point (SoftAP). WiFi can be configured in either mode.

You can force the device to boot into SoftAP mode by rebooting the device with the program switch depressed. If forced into AP mode, it will revert to previous settings after a reboot. The device can be either a WiFi client or a software access point. It cannot operate as both at the same time.

WiFi Config Values​

WiFi SSID​

In SoftAP mode, this is the SSID broadcast to access your device's WiFi. In Client mode, this is your WiFi Networks SSID. This string is case sensitive.

WiFi Password​

In SoftAP mode, this is the password to access your device's WiFi. In Client mode, this is your WiFi Networks password. This string is case sensitive.

Software Access Point (AP)​

A boolean value that toggles the Software Access Point

Acceptable values are true or false

Hidden Access Point (AP)​

A boolean value that toggles the hidden access point

Acceptable values are true or false

If set, the node AP will broadcast as a hidden SSID

tip

The first time your device restarts after enabling the WiFi access point, it will take an additional 20-30 seconds to boot. This is to generate self-signed SSL keys. The keys will be saved for future reuse.

WiFi Config Client Availability​

info

All WiFi config options are available in the Flasher.

Examples​

Software Access Point​

With the SoftAP enabled, a DNS server will run on the device. The DNS server will respond to all DNS requests with the IP address of your device. This will simplify device discovery because you will not have to remember the device's IP – any unencrypted HTTP request will direct you to the right location.

If you set your SoftAP up using a client like the CLI and have a screen attached to your device, the final page will display something similar to the following:

WiFi: Software AP
IP: 192.168.42.1    (0/4)
SSID: myNetwork / PWD: myPassword (alternating)
http://meshtastic.local
      * * * * *

You should then be able to connect to the node using either the displayed IP address or the HTTP link.

Force SoftAP​

You can also enable the SoftAP by following these directions:

  • Hold down the user button
  • Press and release the reset button
  • Count to two
  • Let go of the user button

This will reboot the device with the SSID set to meshtasticAdmin and the password set to 12345678. Using the Force SoftAP method, once you reboot, the SoftAP will be turned off.

If you have a screen attached to your device, the final page will display something similar to the following:

WiFi: Software AP (Admin)
IP: 192.168.42.1    (0/4)
SSID: meshtasticAdmin / PWD: 12345678 (alternating)
http://meshtastic.local
      * * * * *

You should then be able to connect to the node using either the displayed IP address or the HTTP link.

WiFi Client​

With wifi.ssid & wifi.psk populated, the device will now to connect to your network. Make sure you are in range of your WiFi. If you have a single device on your local network it's easy to connect to your device http://meshtastic.local. If you have multiple devices you will need to connect using their respective IP addresses.

If you have a screen attached to your device, the final page will display something similar to the following:

WiFi: Software AP (Admin)
IP: 192.168.42.1    (0/4)
SSID: myNetwork
http://meshtastic.local
      * * * * *

You should then be able to connect to the node using either the displayed IP address or the HTTP link.

Disable WiFi​

To disable WiFi completely, set wifi.ap_mode to false, and both wifi.ssid & wifi.psk to an empty string "".