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      Connect and Run Code from Further using Bluetooth

      How to connect to your pi-top[4] from Further using Bluetooth for running code

      If you want to connect to your pi-top using it's IP address, read this article instead.

      Bluetooth connections are currently in a testing (beta) phase so you may encounter issues. Please provide feedback by email to support@pi-top.com.

      This feature is only supported in Chrome and Chromium web browsers.

      Connect to your pi-top

      1. Open any challenge on Further.
      2. Click the pi-top icon from the bubbles floating at the side of the page.
      3. In the 'Connect using Bluetooth' section, press the 'Connect' button.
      4. A dialog will be displayed in the browser with instructions on how to enable pairing mode in your pi-top[4] using the miniscreen. From your pi-top's miniscreen main page, press the circle button to enter pairing mode. Your device name will be shown as pi‑top‑XXXX.
      5. In your browser, click the 'Scan' button and a new dialog will open with the Bluetooth devices your computer can find. Look for your pi-top in the list and press pair. This process should take a few seconds.
      6. Once the pairing process finishes, you're set! The 'Connect' button will change its state and  code boxes on the page will have the Run button enabled.

      Troubleshooting

      If you're having issues connecting to your pi-top when using it's IP address, read this article.

      If you encounter issues when trying to connect to your device, try the troubleshooting steps below. If you're still having trouble, get in touch with us at support@pi-top.com.

      • If the pairing process takes too long:
        • On Windows and some Linux computers, you might need to turn off GATT Encryption in your pi-top to pair correctly. In your miniscreen, navigate to the Settings menu, then look for 'Bluetooth Encrypted GATT' and press circle to disable it.
        • On some Linux computers, you'll need to enable a flag on your web browser. Go to chrome://flags/#enable-experimental-web-platform-features and make sure it's set to 'Enabled'. You'll need to re-launch your browser to apply the new setting.
        • Refresh the webpage and try pairing again. 
      • If you can't see the Bluetooth icon in your miniscreen main menu, please update your device. 
      • Make sure further-link is enabled. This is the system for connecting your computer to your pi-top from Further, which needs to be enabled to run challenges in Further correctly.

        In your pi-top[4] miniscreen, use the ‘▲' or ‘▼' buttons to scroll down to the 'Settings' menu and press 'O' to enter. Then, scroll to the Further Link page, and press 'O’ to toggle it. When it's enabled, a tick should appear next to the further-link text. When you're ready, press 'X’ twice to return to the top.

      Advanced troubleshooting / Not using pi-topOS?

      1. Is the 'further-link' package installed?  To install it, run the command 
        sudo apt install -y further-link

        This will attempt to install Further link manually. If it's already installed, it will say so, if not, it will install it.

      2. Check that further-link service is running 
        sudo systemctl is-active further-link.service

      3. If the service is NOT active (from 2 above), please run:

        sudo systemctl start further-link.service

        sudo systemctl enable further-link.service

        then try again.  If you still can't connect please contact support@pi-top.com.