Wio Tracker L1 QuickStart

This Wio Tracker L1 QuickStart Project, is the essential guide for developers and hobbyists. It provides a crystal-clear, step-by-step roadmap for unboxing, configuring, forming a mesh network, running initial tests, on all three Wio Tracker L1 variants—the Lite, L1 OLED, and L1 E-ink—ensuring a fast, hassle-free installation for using them in a mesh network to communicate with each other.

Unboxing

All three of these devices (L1, Lite, and E-ink) share the exact same internal "engine, " differing only in how they display information.

The Core "Engine" (Shared by All 3)

• Regardless of the model, every board contains these three critical components:
• The Brain (nRF52840): A high-efficiency processor that handles Bluetooth 5.0 (for talking to your phone) and the mesh logic.
• The Radio (Wio-SX1262): The long-range LoRa module operating at 862–930 MHz. This creates the mesh network with other nodes.
• The Location (L76K GPS): A multi-constellation GNSS module (GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS) that allows the node to report its location to the mesh.

Key Interfaces

• Power: They support "Triple Power Supply": USB-C (5V), a rechargeable Lithium battery (via the small JST connector), and a direct Solar Panel input (via the slightly larger 2-pin connector).
• Sensors: They feature a Grove Connector. This is the white plug on the board intended for "plug-and-play" sensors (Temperature, Humidity, etc.), which matches your goal of transmitting sensor data later.

The Differences (By Model)

Seeed Studio Wio Tracker L1 Lite No screen. It consumes the least power. It is designed to be a "Router" or "Relay" node that you hide in an attic or weatherproof box to extend your network range.

Seeed Studio Wio Tracker L1: Has a 1.3" OLED screen. It refreshes fast, making it great for a handheld tester or "messenger" device where you need to see updates instantly.

Seeed Studio Wio Tracker L1 E-ink: Has a 2.13" E-ink screen. It is readable in direct sunlight and only uses power when the image changes. This is ideal for a stationary "Message Board" or outdoor monitor.

PARTS LIST

Wio Tracker L1 Board

• LoRa Antenna
• 60mm RF Cable(RP-SMA Female to IPEX)
• GPS Antenna
• 2.13 inch E-Ink Display
• 24P 0.5mm FPC adapter Connector
• 24P FFC Cable

Wio Tracker L1 Board with 1.3 inch OLED

• LoRa Antenna
• 60mm RF Cable(RP-SMA Female to IPEX)
• GPS Antenna

Wio Tracker L1 Board

• LoRa Antenna
• 60mm RF Cable(RP-SMA Female to IPEX)
• GPS Antenna

Authors Note:

The Antenna, GPS, E-ink Display are not connected out of the box.

WARNING - DO NOT apply POWER to the Tracker LI by applying the USB cable, Solar Panel or Battery. First you need to connect all included hardware in the box.

Connect Antenna, GPS, E-ink Display ( L1 E-ink only)

Again You must connect all hardware before plugging the USB cable into your computer to flash.

Here is why:

• Antenna (Critical): You must never power on the device (even just via USB) without the LoRa antenna attached. Doing so can permanently damage the radio chip.
• GPS Antenna: It is best to attach this now so you can immediately test the location signal after flashing.
• E-Ink Display: Ribbon cables (FFC) are delicate. If you try to plug the screen in while the board is powered on, you risk shorting out the board or the screen. It is safest to assemble it "cold".

Antenna (Critical) and GPS Antenna

E-Ink Display (on any WIO-Tracker -LI)

The E-lnk display is not attached to the LI out-of the box.

The strip 24P ribbon FFC Cable and the 24P 0.5mm FPC Connector included in the box are used to connect from the display to the Tracker LI.

2.13" Monochrome ePaper Display with 122x250 Pixels, SPI interface, Support XIAO/Arduino/STM32 - Seeed Studio

Attaching the Screen (Orientation)

Preparation:

Gathering the three kits

Gather all three devices: the L1, Lite, and E-ink. You will set them up individually later, so do not connect them to the computer at this time.

A computer

• A computer with a Chrome or Edge browser.
• A USB-C data cable.

Meshtastic Flasher web tool

Open the Meshtastic website at https://flasher.meshtastic.org. While you may need to create an account, you won't be using the flasher tool immediately, as no device is currently connected. It will be utilized later in the setup process.

Meshtastic mobile app.

Install mobile app on your device:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.geeksville.mesh

Apple: https://apple.co/3Auysep

Connect and Identify Devices

Prerequisites:

• A computer with a Chrome or Edge browser.

• A USB-C data cable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the hardware( antenna, GPS and Ink-display) are attached to each Wio-tracker before plugging the USB cable into your computer to flash.

• Important: Do the following one device at a time to avoid confusion.

• Connect your L1 Pro via the USB data cable (Type-C interface).
• Open Device Manager on your computer.

Find the corresponding COM port number for the "USB Serial Device" (e.g. COM9).

Flash the Meshtastic firmware on each Device

Get Started with Wio Tracker L1 | Seeed Studio Wiki

This guide covers the videos and setup/flashing process for the Wio-Tracker-L1 (OLED display). A challenge encountered is that the documentation references an enclosure model (L1-PRO), which complicates identifying the correct connections. Although an image showing the Ink display connection orientation is provided, it was found to be outdated as of the date of this article (January 24, 2026). Through trial and error, I determined the necessary connections and successfully flashed all three of my devices with the stable version 2.7.15.

Why Re-flashing is Recommended:

New Features: Advanced features, such as the Virtual Keyboard and Menu Bar, require firmware version 2.7 or higher.

Mesh Stability: Older factory firmware may have compatibility issues communicating with the latest phone app version or other network nodes.

Tracker L1 Series: Power-On and Setup GuideHow to Power On Your Device

Connect Power: Plug the USB-C cable into your Wio Tracker L1 device and connect the other end to your computer or a standard power adapter.

Note: The device requires a power source (either USB or Battery) to begin operating.

Activate Device: Locate the small slider switch on the side of the board and slide it to the ON position (upwards).

Verify Power-Up:

• L1 (OLED) & E-ink Models: The device's screen should either light up or refresh.
• L1 Lite Model (No Screen): Confirm power by listening for the "USB Connected" sound on your computer or by checking for a small LED light to illuminate on the board.

Status Check: Is the screen active, or did you hear the USB connection sound?Firmware Status Check

User Question: The screen is active, and I heard the USB connection sound. It is currently displaying 2.6.10. Is this the latest firmware version?

Answer: No, firmware version 2.6.10 is not the latest release. While it is functional for basic testing, you are missing important features. You should update to at least version 2.7 to gain access to key features like the Virtual Keyboard (allowing direct on-screen typing) and the Menu Bar.-----Related Questions:

Let's get the Meshtastic operating system running on all three devices.

Step-by-Step Flashing Procedure

Access the Web Flasher:

Visit the meshtastic website https://flasher.meshtastic.org in your browser.

As of 1/22/2026 the website has changed Now, This link takes you directly to web flasher

Note steps 1, 2, 3 on the page these are the steps that I followed to flash my devices. Not: I found that you do not need to erase the firmware before proceeding.

Step 1 Select the device to flash:

Click on "select target device." (Device button))

this page allows you to select the device

select the model you are currently plugged into. Using the wrong firmware can cause issues.

• For the Standard model (OLED screen): Select Wio Tracker L1

• For the Lite model (No screen): Select Wio Tracker L1

• For the E-ink model: Select Wio Tracker L1 E-ink

Note: there are only two chooses for the LI

You can also click on the Auto detect button which uses the serial connection to detect the device connected.

Step 2 Select the Firmware version to Flash

Select the desired firmware version for the Flash steps using the dropdown menu, or click the file folder icon to load a file from your computer.

Choose a firmware version:

Alpha: Constantly updated test version.

Beta: Stable version after testing.

Recommendation: Use the stable (Beta) version, but since the received equipment is v1.3 Beta or higher, the demonstration uses v2.7.10 Alpha.

Step 3 - Flash New Firmware:

Click on "flash."

To flash the firmware, complete steps 1 through 3. A key step involves manually copying a file from your Windows drive onto the device's mounted UDF drive within your Windows file system.

A pop-up screen will appear, displaying the release notes for the firmware. Click the "Continue" button located at the bottom.

The subsequent page displays three steps for flashing the firmware onto the device. IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike some other devices, this process is not automatic. It requires the user to manually copy a firmware file to a mounted DFU drive accessible on their file system.

Step 1 - Enter DFU Mode :

• Select the button Enter (UF2) DFU Mode (Option 1)
• Select your device's port number (the one from Device Manager) in the following pop-up

• Sometimes I received the following error dialog box and the DFU drive was not mounted.

• Despite being unsure of the cause, I disconnect the USB cable after powering down the device because this error occurs. I closed and reopened the flasher web page and this finally cleared up the problem.
• Could the issue on Windows be that the device was not ejected before unplugging?

Step 2 - Ensure device DFU mode drive is mounted

• When DFU Mode is successful you will see the following device mounted.

Step 3 - Download and Copy UF2 file to DFU mounted drive

• PRESS the big green button
• This will download a file to your download directory
• Paste the downloaded file into the (default name is TRACKER L1).
• Wait for the progress bar to complete.

Final Reboot:

• The firmware update is complete, and the device will reboot with the new firmware.
• If it does not reboot automatically, manually press the power switch to turn it on.

Use the Serial Monitor Button on the Flasher page:

• Click on "open serial monitor."
• Select your serial port.
• The device's activity, including messages and errors, is displayed in the monitor window at the bottom of the screen. I am curious if a separate monitor application, such as PuTTY, could be connected to view the same information. This is something I will need to investigate.

• Repeat: Flash the other two devices one by one, ensuring you change the "Target Board" in the flasher step 1 each time to match the hardware.

Configuring Devices (Android App)

To document this step, I used the following Meshtastic documentation page https://meshtastic.org/docs/configuration/ which covers the steps required to configure each device.

Configure the "Radio" Settings For the devices to talk, they must be on the same channel and region.

• Open the Meshtastic App on your phone (Bluetooth must be on).
• If its the first time connecting to this device, you will need to Pair the device. Observed the list of pairable devices and select the one you want to pair.
• Connect to the device. Select a paired device and select the Red button "Connect"
• Set the Region: Change the region to match your location (e.g., "US" uses 915 MHz).
• Naming: Give this node a unique name (e.g., "Base-Station").
• Channel settings (leave on default for basic tests) Default

1. How to Pair and Set a Region

To Pair the Device :

Open the Meshtastic app and tap the Connection button (located on the bottom navigation bar).

Choose Bluetooth: The app will scan for devices. Select your Meshtastic device from the list. You will be asked for a PIN, look at the device's screen and enter it.

For the Wio Tracker L1 Lite (which has no screen), you cannot read a randomly generated pairing code. Try the Default Code First For Seeed Studio devices, the default Bluetooth pairing code is often set to: 123456 If 123456 Does Not Work: You must "read" the code via your computer using the serial monitor on the flashing page.

• Connect the L1 Lite to your computer via USB.
• Open flasher.meshtastic.org (where you just updated the firmware).
• Click Connect (select your L1 Lite) and then click Serial Monitor on the page
• Watch the text scrolling on the screen.
• On your phone, attempt to pair with the device again.
• Look at the computer screen: The 6-digit pairing code will appear in the text logs

You can also connect via Wi-Fi (auto-discovery) or USB OTG cable., but I did not try these connection methods.

To Set the Region:

Option A (Initial Setup): Immediately after connecting, if your radio is new, a "Set your region" button should appear directly on the Connection screen.

Option B (Settings Menu): If you missed the button, go to the Settings tab, tap LoRa, and select your location from the Region dropdown. Note: This is required to ensure you are transmitting on the legal frequency for your location.

Repeat the configuration steps for the remaining two units. Crucial: Ensure they are all set to the exact same Region and Channel settings.

Device Configuration Summary

• For each device, use the Meshtastic app to set:
• Device name (distinct for each node) DEFAULT
• Region/frequency (915 MHz for US, etc.)
• Channel settings (leave on default for basic tests) Default
• For displays, make sure status or basic info appears (node name, battery, channel).

Here is the App Node display

How to "Add a Device to a Channel (optional)

In Meshtastic, you don't "add a specific device" to a channel manually (like a security camera system). Instead, you configure your device to join a channel. Once joined, any other device on that same channel will automatically appear in your Nodes list.

To Join a Channel:

You need a channel URL or QR code from the group you want to join.

Scan a QR Code:

• Go to the Conversations tab and tap the + (or QR icon) button.
• Tap Scan and point your camera at another user's channel QR code.

Use a Link:

• If someone sends you a channel link (URL), click it and select "Open with Meshtastic".
• Alternatively, copy the URL, go to Settings > Channels, and paste it into the input field.
• Once you have joined the channel, you can view everyone else on that channel by tapping the Nodes tab.

Phase 1: Create the Private Channel

• Do this on one primary device first.
• Open Channel Settings:
• Go to the Settings tab.
• Select Channels.
• Edit a Channel:
• You will see a list of channels (usually starting with LongFast).
• Tap on an empty slot or an existing channel you want to change, then tap Edit.
• Secure It:
• Give the channel a Name (e.g., "MyFamily" or "TeamOps").
• Note: Ensure you generate a new PSK (Pre-Shared Key) or encryption key. This is what keeps the channel private so others cannot read your messages.
• Save your changes.

Phase 2: Share with Other Devices

Once the channel is set up on the first device, you need to copy it to your other devices.

Generate the Code:

• On the same Channels screen you just edited, tap the channel name.
• Tap the QR Code icon (Share).

Add Your Other Devices:

• Open the Meshtastic app on your second device.
• Go to the Conversations tab and tap the + / QR Code button.
• Select Scan and point the camera at the first device's screen.
• Alternatively: You can copy the Channel URL and text it to the other device. On the second device, copy that link and paste it into the Settings > Channels input field.
• Once scanned, your devices will share this private channel and can communicate securely.

Establish the Basic Network

2. Verify the Mesh

• Power on all three devices.
• Separate them: Place the devices a few meters apart.
• Check Screens: The L1 and L1 E-ink should display their node info.
• Check Lite: Use the phone app to check the Lite's status.
• Test: Send a text message from the App connected to the "Lite" unit. Verify it appears on the screens of the "L1" and "E-ink" units.

Refer to https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/get_started_with_meshtastic_wio_tracker_l1/

For more information on using the device, configuring GPS

Attach and program Grove modules to the Lite

I attached the temp grove sensor. I was unable to get temp data on the app as described below?

How do I view temp data on the OLED service? Will it be sent on the MESH

Based on the Wio Tracker L1 design, you do not actually need to write code ("program") to use standard Grove modules. The Meshtastic firmware comes pre-loaded with drivers for many common sensors.

Here is how to attach and configure them:

1. Hardware Attachment

The Wio Tracker L1 (Lite, Standard, and E-Ink) has one Grove Connector on the board.

• Action: Simply plug your Grove module into this connector using the standard 4-pin Grove cable.

• Compatibility: This port supports I2C, UART, and GPIO protocols, but Meshtastic primarily uses it for I2C sensors and keyboards.

2. "Programming" (Configuration)

Instead of writing code, you enable the module settings in the Meshtastic App:

1. Open the Meshtastic App on your phone.

2. Go to Settings (or Module Config) > Telemetry.

3. Enable Environment Metrics (for temperature/humidity sensors) or the specific setting for your module.

4. The device will automatically detect the sensor (e.g., BME280) and start broadcasting the data to the mesh.

Supported Grove Modules

Meshtastic natively supports these specific Grove modules without any custom coding:

• Environment: BME280, BMP280, SHT31 (Temp/Humidity/Pressure).

• Input:CardKB (Mini Keyboard) — Essential for typing on the L1 E-Ink since it lacks a joystick.

• Health: MAX30102 (Heart Rate/SpO2).

Based on your setup, there are two ways to "get" or view the sensor data. Since your L1 Lite has no screen, the App is your primary method.

1. View in the Android App (Easiest) This is where 99% of users read their data.

• Go to the "Peers" Tab: Tap the icon that looks like a group of people.

• Tap Your Node: Find the name of the L1 Lite device you attached the sensor to and tap it.

• Scroll Down: Look for a section called "Telemetry" or "Environment Metrics".

• Result: You will see the Temperature, Humidity, or Pressure values listed there.

2. View via Serial Logs (Computer) If you want to see the raw data coming in real-time:

• Connect the device to your PC via USB.

• Openflasher.meshtastic.organd click Serial Monitor.

• Result: You will see text lines like sending telemetry: temp=25.4, press=1012.

Important Timing Note: Sensor data is not instant. By default, Meshtastic only broadcasts sensor data every 30 to 60 seconds (or longer, depending on settings) to save battery.

Resources

Documentation:

Get Started with Wio Tracker L1 | Seeed Studio Wiki

This guide covers the videos and setup/flashing process for the Wio-Tracker-L1 (OLED display). A challenge encountered is that the documentation references an enclosure model (L1-PRO), which complicates identifying the correct connections. Although an image showing the Ink display connection orientation is provided, it was found to be outdated as of the date of this article (January 24, 2026). Through trial and error, I determined the necessary connections and successfully flashed all three of my devices with the stable version 2.7.15.

Introduction | Meshtastic

This is the Meshtastic Docs page, it contains updated information on all the Supported devices.

SeeedStudio Store Device links

(with OLED)

https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-p-6453.html

(enclosure with OLED)

https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-Pro-p-6454.html

(with e-ink display)

https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-E-ink-p-6456.html

(NO display)

https://www.seeedstudio.com/Wio-Tracker-L1-Lite-p-6455.html

Conclusion

This Wio Tracker L1 QuickStart Project, is a comprehensive "QuickStart" manual designed to help developers and hobbyists unbox, configure, and test the Wio Tracker L1 series devices for use on a Meshtastic mesh network.

Here is a summary of the key contents:

1. Supported Devices

The guide covers three specific variants of the Wio Tracker L1, all sharing the same internal "engine" (nRF52840 processor, LoRa radio, and GPS module) but differing in display interfaces:

• Wio Tracker L1 Lite: No screen. Designed for low power consumption, making it ideal as a "Router" or "Relay" node to extend network range.
• Wio Tracker L1 (Standard): Features a 1.3" OLED screen. Best for handheld use or as a "messenger" device due to its fast refresh rate.
• Wio Tracker L1 E-ink: Features a 2.13" E-ink screen. Readable in sunlight and energy-efficient, suitable for stationary message boards.

2. Setup & Installation Process

The document outlines a step-by-step roadmap for getting the devices running:

• Unboxing & Hardware Prep: Users are warned to always attach the LoRa antenna before powering on the device to avoid damaging the radio chip. It also details how to attach the delicate E-ink display ribbon cable.
• Flashing Firmware: Instructions are provided for using theMeshtastic Web Flasherto install the latest firmware. This involves putting the device into DFU mode and dragging a file onto the mounted drive.
• Configuration: Users must use the Meshtastic mobile app (Android/iOS) to pair with the device via Bluetooth, set the correct Region/Frequency (e.g., US 915 MHz), and assign a unique node name.

3. Creating a Mesh Network

• Channel Setup: The guide explains how to create a private channel on one "primary" device and generate a QR code to share that configuration with other nodes, ensuring secure communication.
• Network Testing: It describes a "Network Formation Test" where devices are placed apart to verify they can relay messages to one another.

4. Advanced Features

• Sensors: The guide notes that the devices feature a "Grove Connector" for plug-and-play sensors. It explains how to attach a temperature/humidity sensor and view the data directly in the Meshtastic app without writing any code.
• Troubleshooting: It includes tips for resolving common issues, such as manually entering DFU mode if the automatic process fails or using the serial monitor to read pairing codes for the screen-less Lite model.

If you have read this far thanks for reviewing this Guide. Please leave a comment if you would like