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March 7, 2025 5:13 PM (EST) Work in progress. This page is being prepared as the single canonical guide to getting started with the robot, replacing the older platform-specific quick-start guides.

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Accessing mBlock

This guide assumes you already have access to mBlock, the software used to program the robot — either running in your browser or installed on your computer. If you do not, work through Installing mBlock first, then come back here.

The two links below take you straight to the online editor and to the installation instructions.

mBlock in the browser

• No installation is required
• You can access mBlock through the link below:

mBlock Block-Based IDE- Coding for Beginners

mBlock installed on your computer

• This option is only available for Windows and Mac.
• mBlock installation instructions for Windows and Mac are available below:

Install mBlock 5 on Windows and macOS

Preliminary Information

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Please read through this preliminary information before moving on. This section contains important information to help you understand and work more efficiently with the robot.

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Connection options

To program and control your mBot, you need to connect it to your computer. There are two ways to establish a connection:

1. Using the Bluetooth Dongle: A wireless connection using a Makeblock Bluetooth dongle.
2. Using a USB Cable: A wired connection between your computer and the robot.

Older mBots could also be connected using a 2.4 GHz module and dongle, or over direct Bluetooth. We do not support either. Makeblock has discontinued the 2.4 GHz hardware, and with direct Bluetooth every robot in a classroom presents the same address, so students cannot tell which robot they are connecting to.