> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.minimalmacropad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MinimalPad Firmware: What It Does and Which Version You Need

> Learn what MinimalPad's firmware handles, what you can change from a configurator, and what each firmware version adds.

MinimalPad has two layers of software: the **firmware** on the pad itself, and a **configurator** on your computer — either [Studio for Mac](/mac/overview) or [Studio for browser](/browser/overview). Most people never need to touch the firmware.

## What the firmware does

The firmware runs on the pad's nRF52840 controller. It drives the keys, dial, underglow, Bluetooth radio, and USB connection, and it provides the channel a configurator uses to read and write your keymap.

The firmware is called **`minimalpad_with_studio`**. It includes ZMK Studio, the layer both configurators talk to. Firmware without it can't be configured from a computer at all.

## What you can change without firmware

Everything in day-to-day use:

| Task                                    | From a configurator               |
| --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Change what a key does                  | Yes                               |
| Add, rename, or remove a layer          | Yes                               |
| Assign Bluetooth profile actions        | Yes                               |
| Assign lighting actions                 | Yes                               |
| Set up app profiles (Mac)               | Yes, with firmware 0.3.0 or newer |
| Keys that open an app (Mac)             | Yes, with firmware 0.5.0 or newer |
| What the dial does, on each layer (Mac) | Yes, with firmware 0.6.0 or newer |

Changes are written to the pad's own memory, so they survive power cycles — and firmware updates.

## Firmware versions

The pad reports its firmware version to both configurators; Studio for Mac shows it in the sidebar footer. Newer versions add things Studio for Mac can do with the pad:

| Version   | What it adds                                                                                                                                |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **0.6.0** | Choose what the dial does on every layer from Studio for Mac, and the BT + LED layer is now called Connections & LEDs. The current release. |
| **0.5.0** | Keys that open an app, from Studio for Mac.                                                                                                 |
| **0.4.2** | The pad keeps working over Bluetooth after your computer reconnects to it.                                                                  |
| **0.4.1** | Studio for Mac can read your layout and switch profiles over Bluetooth.                                                                     |
| **0.4.0** | The pad reports which Bluetooth device it's on, so Studio for Mac can show it.                                                              |
| **0.3.0** | App profiles and profile colours, the current default keys, and one firmware file with ZMK Studio built in. The first published release.    |

Every update keeps your keys, layers, profiles, lights, and Bluetooth pairings as you left them. On a Mac, [Studio for Mac installs the firmware it carries](/mac/updates) — version 0.3.0 carries 0.6.0. On any computer, [flash it by hand](/firmware/update).

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Update the firmware" icon="download" href="/firmware/update">
    Flash the latest release onto your pad.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build your own" icon="github" href="/firmware/build-your-own">
    Fork the repo and let GitHub Actions compile it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced customization" icon="code" href="/firmware/advanced">
    Edit the keymap source for dial rotation and macros.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Recovery" icon="rotate-left" href="/firmware/recover">
    Restore an unresponsive pad.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>