> ## 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.

# How to Install or Update the MinimalPad Firmware

> Download the latest MinimalPad firmware and flash it to your pad over USB-C with the UF2 bootloader. Your saved keys and Bluetooth pairings stay on the pad.

Flashing installs the firmware on your MinimalPad's controller. Flash it to update to a newer version, to set up a pad you built yourself, or to recover from broken or incompatible firmware. It takes a few minutes and needs no programming tools.

<Note>
  **On a Mac, you don't have to do this by hand.** [MinimalPad Studio for Mac](/mac/updates) carries the firmware and installs it for you — save, restart, copy, done. The manual steps below work on any computer and are the fallback if that fails.
</Note>

<Warning>
  You need a **data-capable USB-C cable**. A charge-only cable won't show the bootloader drive. If the drive doesn't appear after you double-click reset, try a different cable first.
</Warning>

## The firmware file

The firmware is called **`minimalpad_with_studio`**. It includes ZMK Studio, the layer both configurators use to talk to your pad. You flash it as a `.uf2` file. The current release is **0.5.0**.

App profiles in [Studio for Mac](/mac/profiles) need firmware **0.3.0 or newer**, its Open app keys need **0.5.0 or newer**, and changing the dial needs **0.6.0 or newer**. What each version adds is in [Firmware versions](/firmware/overview#firmware-versions).

## What flashing keeps

Flashing replaces only the firmware. What your pad has saved stays on it:

* The key changes you saved, and your layer names
* Your Bluetooth pairings

Keys you never changed get the new firmware's defaults.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the firmware">
    Open the [latest firmware release](https://github.com/TimoWielink/zmk-config-minimalpad/releases/latest) and download the `.uf2` file under **Assets**, such as `minimalpad_with_studio-v0.5.0.uf2`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect MinimalPad to your computer">
    Plug your MinimalPad into your computer with a data-capable USB-C cable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter bootloader mode">
    **Double-click the reset button**, the small push button on the board. After the second click, a USB drive appears on your computer.

    <Note>
      The drive name depends on the controller. On a Nice!Nano V2 it is **NICENANO**. A generic nRF52840 clone may use a different name. Either way, look for a new removable drive in your file manager or on your desktop.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the firmware onto the drive">
    Drag the `.uf2` file onto the bootloader drive, as you would copy any file to a USB drive.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the pad to restart">
    The drive disappears as soon as the copy completes, and MinimalPad restarts with the new firmware. You don't need to eject the drive or press anything.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect and check it">
    Connect your pad and confirm it works. There is no unlock step — you can change keys straight away.

    * **On a Mac:** open [MinimalPad Studio for Mac](/mac/overview).
    * **On Windows or Linux:** open [MinimalPad Studio for browser](https://studio.minimalmacropad.com/) in Chrome or Edge.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## After an update

* **The lights stay off.** Turn them on once. On the default keymap, hold the bottom-right key to open the **Connections & LEDs** layer, then press the encoder.
* **A computer doesn't reconnect over Bluetooth.** See [Bluetooth problems](/help/bluetooth).

## Troubleshooting

If the bootloader drive doesn't appear after you double-click reset:

* Make sure you are using a data-capable USB-C cable, not a charge-only cable.
* Vary the speed of the double-click. Some controllers respond to a specific timing.
* Try a different USB port or a different cable.

If the drive still doesn't appear, see [Flashing problems](/help/flashing) and [Recovery](/firmware/recover).