Getting Started with Bruce Firmware
Bruce is one of the most popular open-source firmware projects for ESP32-based devices. It transforms your ESP32 into a multi-tool for WiFi, Bluetooth, and RF experimentation. This guide walks you through flashing it step by step.
What You Need
- An ESP32 development board (ESP32-DIV V2.0 recommended)
- USB-C cable
- Web browser (Chrome or Edge for WebSerial)
- 5 minutes of your time
Step 1: Enter Download Mode
Hold the BOOT button on your ESP32, press and release RESET, then release BOOT. This puts the board into firmware download mode.
Step 2: Open the Bruce Web Flasher
Go to the official Bruce web installer, select your ESP32 model, and click Connect. Choose the correct COM port when prompted.
Step 3: Flash and Enjoy
Click Flash and wait for the process to complete. Once done, press RESET on your ESP32 and Bruce firmware will boot up!
Need a Board?
If you do not have an ESP32 board yet, get the ESP32-DIV V2.0 from M5Shark — it works great with Bruce.