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Firmware Installation

Select the button labels to be displayed in the usage guide:

GP2040

General Process

If the device has been previously used for something other than GP2040-CE, you will need to follow the Flash Nuke Process below first to clear the memory entirely in preparation for installing GP2040-CE.

  1. Download the compiled firmware (.uf2 file) for your device
  2. Unplug your device.
  3. Put your device into Bootsel/USB mode. If successful, a new removable drive named RPI-RP2 should appear in your file explorer.
How to get into Bootsel Mode
  • Holding the BootSel button while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + S2 + Up while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + B3 + B4 for 5 seconds.
  1. Drag and drop the compiled firmware (.uf2 file) downloaded in step 1 into the removable drive
  2. Wait for the device to automatically disconnect.

Congratulations! The board is now running the GP2040-CE firmware and will appear as a controller on your computer. You can test it in a game, using the website like Gamepad Tester, or in another application such as the Steam Input Overlay.

If you would like to customize your device, check out the built-in Web Configurator.

Example Process (Raspberry Pi Pico)

The instructions will slightly vary based on your device. These instructions are for a Raspberry Pi Pico.

  1. Download the latest GP2040-CE_X.X.X_Pico.uf2 file for the Raspberry Pi Pico from the Download page.
  2. Unplug your Pico.
  3. Put your device into Bootsel/USB mode. If successful, a new removable drive named RPI-RP2 should appear in your file explorer.
How to get into Bootsel Mode
  • Holding the BootSel button while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + S2 + Up while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + B3 + B4 for 5 seconds.
  1. Drag and drop the GP2040-CE_X.X.X_Pico.uf2 file into the removable drive.
  2. Wait for the Pico to automatically disconnect.

Flash Nuke process

caution

Warning - Flash nuking your board wipes all your custom configuration for pin mappings and add-ons.

  1. Download the flash_nuke.uf2 file
  2. Put your device into Bootsel/USB mode. If successful, a new removable drive named RPI-RP2 should appear in your file explorer.
How to get into Bootsel Mode
  • Holding the BootSel button while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + S2 + Up while plugging in
  • Holding S1 + B3 + B4 for 5 seconds.
  1. Drag flash_nuke.uf2 file onto the drive
  2. Wait for the drive to disconnect and reconnect without unplugging
  3. Drag your firmware onto the RPI drive and wait for disconnect
  4. Check that the controller connects using this gamepad tester and pressing a button.