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Desktop App

The Meshtastic Desktop application shares its core codebase with Android via Kotlin Multiplatform. Most features work identically on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Installation

Linux

  • Download the .deb or .AppImage package from the releases page
  • Or build from source using ./gradlew :desktopApp:run

macOS

  • Download the .dmg package from releases
  • Or build from source

Windows

  • Download the .msi installer from releases
  • Or build from source

Connecting Your Radio

USB Serial (Primary)

The most reliable connection method on Desktop:

  1. Connect your Meshtastic radio via USB cable.
  2. The app should detect the serial port automatically.
  3. If not detected, select the correct serial port from the Connect menu.

TCP/IP

For network-connected radios:

  1. Enter the radio’s IP address and port (default: 4403).
  2. Click Connect.

Bluetooth (BLE)

Bluetooth Low Energy is supported on Desktop via the Kable library:

  1. Ensure your system has a Bluetooth adapter.
  2. The app scans for nearby Meshtastic radios automatically.
  3. Select your device from the Connect screen.

Feature Parity

Feature Android Desktop Poznámka
Messaging ✓ ✓ Full parity
Node List ✓ ✓ Full parity
Mapa ✓ ✓ Full parity
Nastavení ✓ ✓ Full parity
Bluetooth (BLE) ✓ ✓ Via Kable on desktop
Firmware Update OTA ✓ ✗ Use web flasher
Notifications ✓ ✓ Native OS notifications
Widgets ✓ ✗ Android-only
AI Assistant (Chirpy) ✓* ✗ Google flavor Android only

*Chirpy AI requires Android 14+ on Google flavor builds with supported hardware.

UI Differences

The Desktop app uses the same Compose Multiplatform UI with adaptations for larger screens and desktop interaction.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
⌘Q / Ctrl+Q Quit the application
⌘, / Ctrl+, Open Settings
⌘1 / Ctrl+1 Switch to Messages tab
⌘2 / Ctrl+2 Switch to Nodes tab
⌘3 / Ctrl+3 Switch to Map tab
⌘4 / Ctrl+4 Switch to Connect tab

Window & System Tray

  • Window resizing — responsive layout adapts to window dimensions
  • System tray — minimize to system tray for background mesh operation
  • Tray menu — right-click the tray icon to show window or quit
  • Mouse interaction — hover states and standard desktop navigation

Notification Preferences

The Desktop app provides in-app toggles for controlling which notifications are shown — messages, new nodes, and low battery alerts. Access these from Settings → Notifications within the app.

Built-in Documentation Browser

The Desktop app includes a built-in documentation browser for quick access to help content without leaving the application.

Docs browser with table of contents

The browser supports full-text search across all documentation:

Searching the docs browser

Individual doc pages render with full formatting:

A documentation page

Building from Source 

git clone https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-Android.git
cd Meshtastic-Android
git submodule update --init
./gradlew :desktopApp:run

Požadavky:

  • JDK 21
  • No Android SDK required for desktop-only builds

Known Limitations

  • No OTA firmware updates (use web flasher)
  • Some Android-specific features (widgets, specific notification channels) are unavailable
  • Performance may vary on low-spec hardware running Compose Desktop
  • BLE bonding is not yet supported on desktop (pairing works without bonding)