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Version: 2.8

Getting Started

Welcome to Meshtastic! This guide walks you through the initial setup of the Meshtastic Android app.

First Launch​

When you open the app for the first time, you'll be guided through an introductory flow that helps configure essential permissions and settings. Each step can be completed in order, or you can skip and configure permissions later in Android settings.

Welcome Screen​

The welcome screen introduces Meshtastic and its core capabilities:

  • Off-grid mesh communication
  • No cellular or internet required
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging

Tap Get Started to proceed through the setup flow.

Welcome screen

Permissions​

The app requests several permissions during setup. Each one serves a specific purpose, and some are required for core functionality.

Bluetooth Permission​

Bluetooth is the primary connection method between your phone and Meshtastic radio:

  • Bluetooth scanning — discover nearby Meshtastic radios
  • Bluetooth connect — establish and maintain connections with paired radios

Grant both permissions when prompted. Without Bluetooth, you'll need to use USBUSB (Universal Serial Bus). The wired connection used to power a device, flash firmware onto it, and communicate with it over serial. or TCPTCP (Transmission Control Protocol). One of the three ways a client reaches a node, alongside serial and Bluetooth. Clients connect over TCP on port 4403. connections instead.

Location Permission​

⚠️ Why is location required for Bluetooth? Android requires location permission to discover nearby Bluetooth Low Energy devices. This is an Android system requirement, not a Meshtastic-specific choice.

Meshtastic also uses your location for:

  • Showing your position on the mesh map
  • Calculating distances to other nodes
  • Sharing your GPSGPS (Global Positioning System). A satellite positioning system. A node with a GPS module determines its own location and can report that position to the mesh. coordinates with other mesh members (if enabled)

Grant "While using the app" or "Always" depending on your preference:

  • While using the app — position updates only when the app is open
  • Always — enables background position updates for always-on mesh presence

If denied, Bluetooth scanning will not function and your node will not report a position.

Notifications Permission​

Notifications alert you to:

  • Incoming messages from channels and direct messages
  • New nodes joining the mesh
  • Low battery on a remote node

💡 Tip: You can fine-tune notification preferences later in Android system settings — the app creates a separate notification channel per category (plus a few internal ones, like the background service), so you can enable or silence them individually.

Critical Alerts Permission​

On supported devices, the app may request permission for critical alerts:

  • These are high-priority notifications that can break through Do Not Disturb mode
  • Useful for emergency mesh alerts or urgent messages
  • You can skip this step if you don't need breakthrough notifications
  • Configure or revoke later in Android notification settings

After Setup​

Once permissions are granted, the app transitions to the main interface. Your first action should be connecting to a Meshtastic radio — see Connections for detailed instructions.

💡 Tip: If you skipped any permissions during setup, you can grant them later through Android Settings → Apps → Meshtastic → Permissions. The app will prompt you again if a missing permission blocks a feature you try to use.

What's Next?​

Once connected to a radio, explore:

New to Meshtastic? The getting started guide on meshtastic.org covers hardware selection, initial radio configuration, and your first mesh setup.