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macOS: Connecting Arduino, Robots and other Hardware to Pishi.ai Scratch

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🍎 macOS: Connecting Arduino, Robots and other Hardware to Pishi.ai Scratch #

This guide explains how to connect Arduino boards, and other devices and educational robots to Pishi.ai Scratch on macOS. It covers both USB and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection methods, browser compatibility, and the permissions that macOS may request.

🌐 Browser Support on macOS #

Modern web browsers include APIs for USB and Bluetooth BLE that let Pishi.ai Scratch talk directly to hardware.
However, Safari and Firefox on macOS do not yet support these APIs.

Connection Type Supported Browsers ملحوظات
USB عبر المتصفح

USB عبر المتصفح
(by Pishi.ai Scratch)

 ✅ Google Chrome
✅ Microsoft Edge
✅ Opera / Brave (Chromium-based)		 ❌ Not available in Safari or Firefox on macOS.
BLE Via Browser

BLE عبر المتصفح
(by Pishi.ai Scratch)

 ✅ Google Chrome
✅ Microsoft Edge
✅ Chrome on Android		 ⚠️ Safari supports BLE via Browser experimentally, but is unreliable for Scratch hardware.
official scratch-link logo

Official ScratchLink
(by MIT Scratch)

 ✅ Works on macOS Only for LEGO devices (Boost, EV3, WeDo 2.0), Micro:bit, Go Direct Force & Acceleration.
⚠️ Not compatible with other Devices like Arduino, Pbot, PRB.

↔ مرر لليسار أو اليمين لعرض الجدول الكامل على الهاتف المحمول

 

USB عبر المتصفح – USB Connection (USB via Browser) #

Most Arduino boards (Uno, Nano, Mega, Micro, etc.) as well as other Devices, can connect directly through USB via Browser without drivers.

    1. Use a data-capable USB cable to connect your Arduino or robot (like Pbot or PRB with USB adapter) to your Mac.
    2. Open Pishi.ai Scratch in Chrome or Edge.
    3. Click the USB via Browser icon in the extension header: USB عبر المتصفح
    4. macOS will show a prompt like:
      “pishi.ai wants to connect to a serial port”.
  1. Select your device (for example, usbmodem1234561) and click Connect.
  2. When connected: hardware connected icon in scratch the green check mark appears beside the extension name, and your Scratch blocks become active.

✅ Works with: Arduino Uno, Nano, Mega, Micro, Nano 33 BLE (USB mode).
⚠️ Not supported in Safari or Firefox.

BLE Via Browser – Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Connection (BLE via Browser) #

BLE mode is used for Bluetooth-enabled boards and robots such as Arduino Nano 33 BLE, Arduino MKR WiFi 1010, and devices like Pbot or PRB.

  1. Ensure your robot or board is powered on and supports BLE.
  2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled in:
    System Settings → Bluetooth
  3. Open Pishi.ai Scratch in Chrome or Edge.
  4. Click the BLE via Browser icon: BLE Via Browser
  5. The browser will show a pairing list.
  6. Select your device and click Pair.
  7. Click Allow, if macOS shows a system prompt such as below message:
    “pishi.ai wants to use Bluetooth”.

Once paired, you’ll see a green connection indicator hardware connected icon in scratch, and your blocks will activate.
If the device is not listed, make sure it is turned on, in pairing mode, and not already connected to another app or device.

🧩 LEGO Devices (Boost, EV3, WeDo 2.0) #

LEGO educational kits can also be used with Pishi.ai Scratch on macOS – but through the official MIT ScratchLink app, not the Pishi.ai ScratchLink.

    • ✅ Compatible with: LEGO Boost, EV3, WeDo 2.0, and Go Direct Force & Acceleration.
  • ⚠️ This official ScratchLink does not support Arduino, Pbot, or PRB.

⚠️ Note about LEGO EV3 Bluetooth:
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 connects using an older type of Bluetooth that most web browsers don’t recognize.
Because of that, EV3 can’t connect to Scratch directly through Chrome or Edge.
To use EV3 on a Mac, you need to install the official ScratchLink app (made by the Scratch Team):
Get official ScratchLink app from here.
This app lets your EV3 talk to Scratch or Pishi.ai Scratch safely and reliably.

🔒 Permissions and Security Prompts on macOS #

macOS may ask for several types of permission when you connect hardware.
You must Allow these to enable Pishi.ai Scratch to communicate with your devices.

1. USB Access Prompt #

سيظهر لك في المتصفح مربع حوار بعنوان:
“pishi.ai wants to connect to a serial port”.
Select your board and click Allow in the dialog.

2. Bluetooth Access Prompt #

When using BLE, Chrome or Edge will request Bluetooth permission.
macOS will also ask you to confirm the browser’s access to Bluetooth under:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth

 

MacOS: Bluetooth Permission Setting

 

3. Re-enabling Permissions #

If you accidentally clicked “Don’t Allow,” reopen:

System Settings → Privacy & Security Then toggle permissions for your browser under:

  • Bluetooth – enable Chrome or Edge.
  • Accessories – choose “Automatically allow when unlocked.”
  • Input Monitoring – allow if prompted by helper apps.

Apple Support references:
Allow accessories to connect
Privacy & Security settings on macOS

🛠️ Troubleshooting #

  • No ports listed? Try another USB cable or port; some cables are for charge only.
  • Arduino not responding? Check the firmware: use StandardFirmata for USB connections and StandardFirmataBLE for BLE boards.
    For detailed instructions, see: كيفية تثبيت Firmata القياسية على Arduino.
  • BLE device not shown? Ensure it’s powered and unpaired from other apps.
  • Browser asks everytime for permission? Enable “Remember this device” or “Always allow” when pairing.
  • Still no connection? Restart Chrome and re-plug the device.

🔧 Troubleshooting ScratchLink (for LEGO & Micro:bit users) #

These troubleshooting steps apply only when using LEGO devices (Boost, EV3, WeDo 2.0) or Micro:bit through the official MIT ScratchLink app.

  • ScratchLink not running?
    Check whether the ScratchLink icon appears in the macOS menu bar. If not, open Scratch Link from the Applications folder.
  • Using Safari?
    ScratchLink works best with Safari 14+ on macOS 10.15+. If you use Safari on macOS 12, update to macOS 12.3 or newer.
  • Only one Scratch page can connect at a time
    Close any extra Scratch or Pishi.ai Scratch browser tabs. ScratchLink allows only one active connection.
  • Browser compatibility reminder
    ScratchLink works with Safari, Chrome, and Edge – but LEGO EV3 still requires ScratchLink even if your browser supports BLE.

ملاحظة: These steps apply only to LEGO devices, Micro:bit, and Go Direct sensors. Arduino, Pbot, and PRB do not use ScratchLink.

🧰 Checking Devices from Terminal #

To confirm that macOS recognizes your Arduino, open Terminal and type:
ls /dev/tty.*
You should see something like:
/dev/tty.usbmodem1234561
If nothing appears, try reconnecting your device or rebooting.

💡 Summary #

  • Use Chrome or Edge for USB and BLE on macOS.
  • Allow USB or Bluetooth permissions when prompted.
  • No additional drivers are needed on most macOS systems – especially modern versions – for direct connections to Arduino, Pbot, or PRB.
  • For Micro:bit, Go Direct Force & Acceleration, LEGO Boost, EV3, and WeDo 2.0 – use the official MIT ScratchLink (works on macOS).
  • Pishi.ai ScratchLink (for Classic or BLE Bluetooth devices) is currently available for Windows only.

See also: For a full overview of all connection methods (USB, BLE, Classic Bluetooth, ScratchLink), visit:
كيفية توصيل ملحقات Pishi.ai Scratch بـ Arduino والروبوتات والأجهزة الأخرى

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