install

Flash it from your browser

Chrome or Edge over USB. Nothing to download, nothing to install on your computer. Latest release: v1.1.x.

Have a T-Deck? Squatch Mesh for the T-Deck has its own installer. Every download is on one page.

Quick start

Plug it in and press start

It checks the pager, works out whether it needs an update or a full install, keeps your contacts and settings safe, and fixes the usual problems on its own. About 90 seconds.

Chrome or Edge on a desktop. Your browser will ask which USB device to use — pick the pager.

Plug in USB-C

Use a cable that carries data, not a charge-only one. That is the single most common reason no port appears.

Press start

It asks the pager what is on it and picks the right kind of install. Coming from other firmware? Save your keys and contacts first.

Wait for it to boot

An update is quick. A first install formats storage on the first start, which takes a few minutes.

Both radios work. LilyGo fits the T-Lora Pager with either an SX1262 or an LR1121 chip and they look identical from outside. Squatch Mesh carries both drivers and picks the right one when it starts, so there is nothing for you to check or choose.

Other radio versions won't work. LilyGo also sells this pager with a CC1101 or an SX1280 radio. Those can't join a MeshCore mesh, so Squatch Mesh can't use them. If your order or the box says anything other than SX1262 or LR1121, don't install: it will start, but with no radio. The installer can't see the radio until the firmware is running, so it can only tell you this afterwards.

Before a first install: keep your keys and contacts

A first install replaces the pager's storage. Squatch Mesh brings your identity (your keys), contacts and channels across from the SD card on its first start, so get them onto the card before you flash, and leave the card in.

Coming from Wadamesh

Put an SD card in the pager.
In Wadamesh, turn on Store data on SD and let it reboot. It copies your data to the card.
Check the card now has a meshcomod folder with an identity folder inside.
Flash with the card still in. Keys, contacts and channels come back automatically.

Have a MeshCore config export?

If you have a MeshCore .json config export of this pager (it holds the private key, contacts and channels), copy it to the SD card's top folder and rename it meshcore-backup.json. The first start imports your keys, name, radio settings, contacts and channels from it. Keep that file private: anyone with it can pretend to be you.

Coming from Ripple, Meshtastic or the factory firmware

Their keys can't be carried over (Ripple keeps them locked away, Meshtastic uses a different kind of key), so the pager starts with a new identity. Write down anything you need, like private channel names and secrets, before you flash.

Already on Squatch Mesh?

Use Update. Nothing is lost, and daily backups to the SD card (/inw) cover you if anything ever goes wrong.

Or choose it yourself

Start above picks for you and checks the pager afterwards. These two are the plain installer, kept as a fallback: use them if Start ever fails on your machine.

Update

Already running Squatch Mesh. Your contacts, channels, messages and settings stay exactly as they are - an update writes only the firmware itself, and never touches the part of the chip your settings live in. If the pager will not start at all, use First install.

Your browser cannot flash over USB. Use Chrome or Edge on a desktop. Serial access was blocked. Allow it and try again.

First install

Coming from other firmware, or recovering a pager that will not start. Writes the bootloader, partition table and app, so it stands on its own. Coming from other firmware? Do the SD card steps above first.

Your browser cannot flash over USB. Use Chrome or Edge on a desktop. Serial access was blocked. Allow it and try again.

There is no need to tick "erase device". Erasing wipes everything on the pager, including its bootloader, and takes your contacts and channels with it. Both buttons write the bootloader and partition table, so either one can bring back a pager that will not start — but nothing brings back data an erase removed.

Coming from 1.0.x

Wi-Fi updates need the newer two-slot layout, so do one first install. Back up to SD first: on the pager, Settings → System → how to enable wi-fi updates does it for you. Keys, channels and settings are kept either way; contacts and messages come back from the SD card. After that, updates arrive over Wi-Fi and you can leave the cable in a drawer.

If something goes wrong

No port shows up

Use a data USB-C cable, try another port, and close anything else holding the serial port (Arduino IDE, a serial monitor, another browser tab).

"Couldn't open the serial port"

Nothing was written. Unplug the pager, plug it back in, press try again and pick it when asked. On Firefox, use Chrome or Edge if it keeps happening.

It will not connect

On the pager: Settings → System → usb flash mode, then click install. On 1.1.5 or older, hold BOOT, tap RESET, release BOOT.

It will not start afterwards

Hold BOOT, tap RESET, release BOOT, then run first install again. It writes the bootloader, partition table and firmware, so it brings back even a completely blank chip. No other tools needed.

Where did my contacts go

Update keeps them. First install formats storage and restores from the SD card, so keep a card in the pager. Backups run daily to /inw/.