Skip to main content

Mobile App Setup (Android & iOS)

Meshtastic nodes are primarily controlled through official companion apps over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi.

📱 Download the App​

Pairing via Bluetooth​

  1. Turn on your Meshtastic node with the antenna firmly attached.
  2. Enable Bluetooth and Location Services on your phone (Location permission is required by Android/iOS to scan for BLE peripherals).
  3. Open the Meshtastic app:
    • Go to the Bluetooth tab / scanner.
    • Look for your node's identifier (e.g., Meshtastic_xxxx).
    • Tap to pair.
  4. If a 6-digit PIN displays on your node's OLED/E-Ink screen, enter it when prompted by your phone.

⚙️ Initial Device Configuration​

1. Node Names​

Under Settings -> User:

  • Long Name: Use English (ASCII) characters only, no emojis, and keep it under 15 characters (e.g. Alex T-Echo, kita home).
  • Short Name: 4 characters max (e.g. ALEX, kitD).

2. LoRa Region & Presets​

Under Settings -> Radio Config -> LoRa:

  • Region: Set to EU_868.
  • Modem Preset: Set to MediumFast.
  • Tap Save (the node will restart).

3. Device Role​

Under Settings -> Device:

  • Portable / Handheld: Set to CLIENT (default).
  • Indoor Node: If placed in an apartment or on lower floors, set to CLIENT_MUTE to avoid congesting the mesh.
  • Home Station: If you have both a home node and a portable node, set the home node to CLIENT_BASE.
  • ⚠️ ROUTER is recommended ONLY for rooftops (floor 9 or higher) or mountain peaks.
  • Note: The legacy REPEATER role is deprecated. Do not use ROUTER_CLIENT or SENSOR.

4. Channels & Armenia Community Network​

By default, setting your region to EU_868 and preset to MediumFast will connect you to the primary community channel.

  • Primary Channel: MediumFast (PSK: AQ==, Uplink: YES, Downlink: NO)
  • Emergency Channel: Emergency-AM (Secondary channel with PSK: AQ== for search and rescue)
  • 👉 See the full Channel Configuration Guide for instructions and private channels.

5. Position & GPS Settings​

Under Settings -> Position:

  • Portable / Handheld Nodes:
    • Enable Smart Position: Toggles dynamic location broadcasting based on movement distance instead of a fixed timer. When resting or stationary, the radio stops sending repetitive coordinate packets, saving battery and airtime.
  • Home / Stationary Nodes (CLIENT_BASE, CLIENT_MUTE):
    • Set a Fixed Position or increase the broadcast interval to at least 30 to 120 minutes (1800 to 7200 seconds). Never leave stationary nodes broadcasting GPS fixes every 1–2 minutes.

6. Telemetry Settings (Home Nodes & Battery-less Devices)​

Under Settings -> Telemetry:

  • Home Nodes (USB-Powered 24/7):
    • Disable Device Metrics (battery / voltage) or increase update intervals to 2–6 hours (7200 to 21600 seconds). A node permanently connected to 5V mains power broadcasting "100% battery" every 2 minutes wastes shared community airtime.
  • Nodes Without Batteries:
    • If your device operates purely on USB without an 18650 or LiPo battery, disable battery telemetry to prevent flooding the mesh with 0V / 0% readings.
  • Environment Telemetry:
    • Leave disabled unless physical sensors (BME280/BMP280) are soldered to the device.

7. MQTT & Live Map (For Home Nodes on Wi-Fi)​

If your node is stationary and connected to home Wi-Fi, you can contribute your reception to the community map: Under Settings -> Module Config -> MQTT:

  • MQTT Enabled: ON
  • Server Address: mqtt.msh.am
  • Username: meshdev
  • Password: large4cats
  • Uplink Enabled: YES
  • Downlink Enabled: ❌ NO (Keep OFF to protect RF channels from internet spam)
  • Topic: /msh/EU_868/AM/
  • 👉 Read the complete Community MQTT Setup Guide.