Node / meshtastic / Meshtastic-Android / files / docs / ht-rHT / user / desktop.md

Displaying Raw • View rendered • Download

---

title: Desktop App

parent: User Guide

nav_order: 14

last_updated: 2026-07-07

description: Install and use the Meshtastic Desktop app on Linux, macOS, and Windows — connections, feature parity, and keyboard shortcuts.

aliases:

Tff7b72- desktop

Tff7b72- linux

Tff7b72- macos

Tff7b72- windows

Tc9d1d9 - jvm

Tc9d1d9---

Tc9d1d9# Desktop App

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

Tc9d1d9## Installation

Tc9d1d9### Linux

Tff7b72- Download the Ta5d6ff`.deb` or Ta5d6ff`.AppImage` package from the releases page

Tff7b72- Or build from source using Ta5d6ff`./gradlew :desktopApp:run`

Tc9d1d9### macOS

Tff7b72- Download the Ta5d6ff`.dmg` package from releases

Tff7b72- Or build from source

Tc9d1d9### Windows

Tff7b72- Download the Ta5d6ff`.msi` installer from releases

Tff7b72- Or build from source

Tc9d1d9## Connecting Your Radio

Tc9d1d9### USB Serial (Primary)

The most reliable connection method on Desktop:

Tff7b721. Connect your Meshtastic radio via USB cable.

Tff7b722. The app should detect the serial port automatically.

Tff7b723. If not detected, select the correct serial port from the Connect menu.

Tc9d1d9### TCP/IP

For network-connected radios:

Tff7b721. Enter the radio's IP address and port (default: 4403).

Tff7b722. Click **Connect**.

Tc9d1d9### Bluetooth (BLE)

Bluetooth Low Energy is supported on Desktop via the [Tff7b72Kable](Te6edf3https://github.com/JuulLabs/kable) library:

Tff7b721. Ensure your system has a Bluetooth adapter.

Tff7b722. The app scans for nearby Meshtastic radios automatically.

Tff7b723. Select your device from the Connect screen.

Tc9d1d9## Feature Parity

| Feature | Android | Desktop | Notes |

| -------------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Messaging | ✓ | ✓ | Full parity |

| Node List | ✓ | ✓ | Full parity |

| Map | ✓ | ◐ | Map tab exists on desktop, but the interactive map view is Android-only |

| Settings | ✓ | ✓ | Full parity |

| Bluetooth (BLE) | ✓ | ✓ | Via Kable on desktop |

| Firmware Update | ✓ | ✓ | In-app USB, BLE, and Wi-Fi (ESP32) update all work the same as Android |

| Notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Native OS notifications |

| Widgets | ✓ | ✗ | Android-only |

| Android Auto | ✓ | ✗ | Android-only — not available on Desktop or iOS |

| AI Assistant (Chirpy) | ✓\* | ✗ | Google flavor Android only |

| App Functions (system AI) | ✓† | ✗ | Google flavor Android only |

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

†App Functions exposes app actions to the Android system AI on Google flavor builds. See [Tff7b72App Functions](Te6edf3app-functions).

Tc9d1d9## UI Differences

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

Tc9d1d9### Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts use **⌘** (Command) on macOS and **Ctrl** on Windows and Linux. (The Super / Windows key is not bound.)

| Shortcut | Action |

| ------------ | ---------------------- |

| **⌘/Ctrl+Q** | Quit the application |

| **⌘/Ctrl+,** | Open Settings |

| **⌘/Ctrl+1** | Switch to Messages tab |

| **⌘/Ctrl+2** | Switch to Nodes tab |

| **⌘/Ctrl+3** | Switch to Map tab |

| **⌘/Ctrl+4** | Switch to Connect tab |

| **⌘/Ctrl+/** | Open About |

Tc9d1d9### Window & System Tray

Tff7b72- **Window resizing** — responsive layout adapts to window dimensions

Tff7b72- **System tray** — minimize to system tray for background mesh operation

Tff7b72- **Tray menu** — right-click the tray icon to show window or quit

Tff7b72- **Mouse interaction** — hover states and standard desktop navigation

Tc9d1d9### 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.

Tc9d1d9## Built-in Documentation Browser

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


The browser supports full-text search across all documentation:


Individual doc pages render with full formatting:


Tc9d1d9## Building from Source

Ta5d6ff```Ta5d6ffbash

git clone https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-Android.git

Tffa657cd Meshtastic-Android

./gradlew :desktopApp:run

Ta5d6ff```

Requirements:

Tff7b72- JDK 21

Tff7b72- No Android SDK required for desktop-only builds

Tc9d1d9## Known Limitations

Tff7b72- The interactive map view is Android-only — the Map tab is present but does not render a map on desktop

Tff7b72- Some Android-specific features (widgets, specific notification channels) are unavailable

Tff7b72- Performance may vary on low-spec hardware running Compose Desktop

Tff7b72- BLE bonding is not yet supported on desktop (pairing works without bonding)

Tc9d1d9## Related Topics

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Connections](Te6edf3connections) — connection methods overview

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Firmware Updates](Te6edf3firmware) — USB, BLE, and Wi-Fi update all work the same as on Android

---