Hacking The Teenage Engineering SP-1

Hack the planet!

by Tim C

published September 04, 2026, last edited September 05, 2026

posted in Hacks CircuitPython Breakout Boards/ Amplifiers/Sound

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Project guide

Install CircuitPython

Installing CircuitPython on the SP-1 is different from other devices. The SP-1 has a custom bootloader that does not support UF2. Flashing must be done via USB serial. First download the SP-1 CircuitPython .bin file using the button bellow and then use the flashing web page to write it to the device.

Do not flash CircuitPython on your device if you want to keep the stock firmware. Flashing CircuitPython to the SP-1 will erase the flash storage and anything on the eMMC. The stock firmware binary is not published, so it is not possible to revert back to the stock firmware after flashing CircuitPython. However, there are 3rd party firmwares created by the community that you can run on the SP-1 after having loaded CircuitPython. If you do wish to proceed then be sure to back up anything you care about on the eMMC before flashing CircuitPython.

CircuitPython Download

The SP-1 board definition was added to CircuitPython after the latest release 10.3.0. That means it is not in any official release yet, it will be included in the next one. Until then the 'absolute newest' link on the CircuitPython.org downloads page can be used to get the CircuitPython firmware .bin file.

The button below will download the firmware binary from a 9/3/26 GitHub actions build.

SP-1 CircuitPython

Access Bootloader

To access the bootloader on the SP-1, start with the device unplugged and powered off. Press and hold the outermost track buttons, track1 and track4. While continuing to hold the two buttons plug the SP-1 in to a host PC with the USB C cable. This is easiest to do with the device laying flat on its back on the desk.

When the bootloader is running, the track1 LED will light up solid. While firmware is being written, the LED will blink.

Do not release the track1 and 4 buttons until the track1 LED lights up.

While the bootloader is running, pressing the function button will exit it and launch the application.

The bootloader will run for about 60 seconds. Flashing CircuitPython takes about 30 seconds. It's best to start flashing ASAP once the bootloader is running. If the write fails to finish within the bootloaders 60 second window, the device won't be bricked. It'll boot back into the bootloader and flash can be attempted again.

Flasher Page

This self-contained flasher page makes it easy to load CircuitPython on the SP-1 device. Open it in a browser that supports web serial. Enter bootloader once to grant access to the device. From then on the device is remembered and you can skip straight to arming the flasher. Once armed the flasher will immediately start writing the specified firmware file when it sees the bootloader connect.

SP-1 CircuitPython Flasher

Instruction Video

Page last edited September 04, 2026