Apps & Software

MeshCore App (Official)
Overview
The MeshCore App is the official companion application for MeshCore devices, developed by Liam Cottle, who builds the official MeshCore client apps. The MeshCore protocol itself was created by Scott (Ripple Radios / ripplebiz). It is the recognized standard for device setup across the CascadiaMesh and RegionMesh communities.
Platforms & Availability
iOS: App Store (free)
Android: Google Play (free)
Connection Methods
BLE (primary - most common)
USB serial
Features
Direct messaging with end-to-end encryption (E2EE)
Public channel messaging
Node management and status monitoring
Radio configuration (TX power, frequency, spreading factor)
Choose Preset wizard - guided setup for USA/Canada regional presets
Repeater administration (clock sync, stats, adverts)
Room server administration
Required For
Initial setup of any MeshCore companion device
Setting the USA/Canada regional preset on a new node
Configuring radio settings
Cost
Free. The app offers an optional Premium in-app purchase for cosmetic extras (e.g. ad removal, dark theme, and other personalization options); the core device-setup and administration features, including repeater and room server administration, are not paywalled. See MeshCore Open below for a fully open-source alternative.
Notes
This is the "official" app as recognized by the CascadiaMesh and RegionMesh communities. If you are setting up a MeshCore device for the first time, start here.

MeshCore Open (Free & Open Source)
Overview
MeshCore Open is a free, open-source companion app for MeshCore devices, developed by zjs81 and a community of contributors (25+ as of 2026-06-08) under the MIT license. It is not affiliated with the MeshCore core team but is widely used as a full-featured alternative - particularly for users who need offline maps, advanced CLI access, or multi-platform support without paywalls.
Project Stats
Source: github.com/zjs81/meshcore-open
License: MIT
383+ GitHub stars, 7 alpha releases (latest Alpha7, Mar 2026). Star and contributor counts are volatile - figures are as of 2026-06-08; see the GitHub repo for current numbers.
Platforms & Installation
Platform
Availability
Install Method
Android (API 21+)
Stable
APK from GitHub releases, or Obtainium for auto-updates
iOS (12+)
Beta
TestFlight (see TESTFLIGHT_GUIDE.md in the repo; confirm current distribution channel)
Linux
Stable
Prebuilt binaries on releases page
Windows
Supported
Flutter - check the releases page for a prebuilt binary; build from source if none is available
macOS
Supported
Flutter - check the releases page for a prebuilt binary; build from source if none is available
Web (Chrome)
Beta
WebSocket bridge required
Connection Methods
BLE
USB
TCP
Key Features vs. Official App
Feature
MeshCore Open
Official App
Repeater / room server CLI access
Full, no paywall
Some features paywalled
Offline maps
Yes (tile downloads, deep zoom)
No
MGRS coordinates
Yes
No
Path visualization / route management
Yes
No
Emoji reactions & threaded replies
Yes
No
Auto-retry with path clearing
Yes
No
TX power / radio settings control
Yes
Yes
SNR tracking per contact
Yes
Limited
3-level debug logging
Yes
No
Languages
15
1 - 2
Off-Grid Repeat mode
Yes
No
Platforms
Android, iOS, Linux, Win, Mac, Web
Android, iOS
Note: GPX export and explicit line-of-sight terrain analysis are not confirmed in the current MeshCore Open documentation as of 2026-06-08; the app provides path visualization and route management. Verify against the app's current feature list before relying on a specific capability.
Off-Grid Repeat Mode
Off-Grid Repeat is described as enabling a connected companion device to forward mesh packets while your phone is connected - turning a standard companion node into a temporary repeater without reflashing firmware. This named feature and its exact behavior are not confirmed in a primary source as of 2026-06-08; verify against the MeshCore Open documentation before relying on it for emergency communications.
How to Enable
Go to Settings > Node Settings > Radio Settings (menu path may differ in the current build - verify in-app)
Select an Off-Grid preset: Off-Grid 433 MHz, Off-Grid 869 MHz, or Off-Grid 918 MHz
Toggle Off-Grid Repeat ON
Region/legality warning: For unlicensed US/Canada use, choose the 918 MHz preset (inside the 902-928 MHz Part 15 ISM band). The 433 MHz preset falls in the US 70 cm amateur band (Part 97 license required, no encryption, station ID) and 869 MHz is an EU SRD band (863-870 MHz) outside the US 902-928 MHz Part 15 band - neither is legal for unlicensed US operation. Operators must select the preset legal for their region.
Limitations
Only 3 preset frequencies available (433, 869, 918 MHz) - these span three different regulatory regimes, so pick the band legal for your region (918 MHz for unlicensed US; 869 MHz is EU SRD; 433 MHz overlaps amateur allocations)
Phone battery drains faster while active
Phone must remain awake with the app open
BLE/USB/TCP connection must stay active throughout
Use Cases
Emergency response - instant temporary repeater anywhere
Events - supplement fixed infrastructure
Bootstrapping a new mesh area
Temporary coverage extension

MeshOS (Standalone Device Firmware)
Overview
MeshOS is standalone device firmware for keyboard-equipped MeshCore devices, developed by Andy Kirby. (Note: Andy Kirby is the developer of MeshOS, not the founder of MeshCore - MeshCore was created by Scott of Ripple Radios. The MeshCore companion app is developed by Liam Cottle.) MeshOS is maintained at meshcore.co.uk, separate from the core team's canonical firmware at github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore.
MeshOS is purpose-built for T-Deck class devices and phone-independent operation.
Target Devices
LilyGo T-Deck
LilyGo T-Deck Plus
LilyGo T-Lora Pager (T-Pager)
Pricing
Base features: Free
Full license: ~£8 one-time, tied to device serial number (as of 2026-06-08; price/availability via meshcore.co.uk)
Features
Feature
Free
Paid (£8)
Direct messaging with E2EE
Yes
Yes
Channel / group messaging
Yes
Yes
Repeater Scanner with whitelist management
Yes
Yes
Last Heard list (signal strength + distance)
Yes
Yes
Mesh Signal Meter
Yes
Yes
Noise Floor Monitor (live RF background graph)
Yes
Yes
Trace Route
Yes
Yes
QR code display for URLs
Yes
Yes
Lock screen (time, battery, mesh signal)
Yes
Yes
Terminal access with packet logging
Yes
Yes
Repeater Admin (clock sync, stats, adverts)
No
Yes
Offline world maps (T-Deck Plus only)
Limited zoom
Full zoom
When to Choose MeshOS
You own a T-Deck or T-Deck Plus and want fully phone-independent operation
You are a repeater operator who needs on-device diagnostics (Noise Floor Monitor, Trace Route, Repeater Admin)
You want go-bag / emergency deployments with no phone dependency
When NOT to Choose MeshOS
You need GPS-based maps but only have a standard T-Deck (not the Plus) - GPS is required for mapping features
You need firmware for hardware outside the T-Deck family - use the core team firmware
Governance Note
MeshOS is Andy Kirby's separate firmware product, distributed via meshcore.co.uk; it is distinct from the canonical MeshCore firmware at github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore maintained by the MeshCore core team (the project was founded by Scott of Ripple Radios). There has been a dispute between Andy Kirby and the MeshCore core team over direction and naming; both MeshOS and the core-team firmware are actively maintained choices. MeshOS is optimized for standalone keyboard devices; the core-team firmware covers the full hardware range and is the reference implementation for new device support.

Meshtastic App
Overview
The Meshtastic App is the official companion application for Meshtastic devices, developed and maintained by the Meshtastic open-source project (meshtastic.org). It is required for initial setup of any Meshtastic-firmware device.
Platforms & Availability
iOS: App Store (free)
Android: Google Play (free)
Web: client.meshtastic.org - browser-based, connects via USB serial (Chrome/Edge)
Connection Methods
BLE (most common for mobile)
Wi-Fi (for nodes with Wi-Fi capability, e.g. ESP32 devices)
USB serial (web app via Chrome/Edge)
Features
Node list with signal, battery, and last-seen status
Direct and channel messaging
Map view with node positions
Full device configuration: region, modem preset, channels, power settings
Channel management (import/export via QR code or URL)
Telemetry display (battery, environment sensors if equipped)
MQTT configuration for internet backhaul
Required For
All initial Meshtastic device setup
Setting region (e.g. US, EU_868)
Setting modem preset (LongFast, MediumSlow, etc.)
Configuring channels and channel keys
Web App
The web app at client.meshtastic.org provides full configuration capability from a desktop browser via USB serial - useful when a mobile device is unavailable or when doing detailed configuration with a keyboard. Requires Chrome or Edge (WebSerial API).
Cost
Free and open source.