# Quickstart - Raspberry Pi RP2040 with BLE and CircuitPython

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/101/020/medium800/raspberry_pi_micropython___circuitpython_Blinka_Bluefruit_Ouroboros_Dark.png?1616702127)

Add Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity to your Raspberry Pi RP2040 project by adding an Adafruit AirLift ESP32 co-processor. The AirLift's ESP32 module can be placed into either a WiFi mode  (we've published a [guide about using the AirLift's WiFi mode with Pico here](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-rp2040-pico-with-wifi-and-circuitpython)) or BLE mode, giving you the option of adding two different methods of wireless connectivity to your RP2040 project.

This guide will cover getting started using BLE to connect an RP2040 board with the Bluefruit LE Connect App along with examples for a UART echo server and wirelessly changing the color of a NeoPixel RGB LED.

A few notes before we begin:

- **You can not use the WiFi and BLE mode on the Adafruit AirLift simultaneously** , so [select your transport _wisely_](https://learn.adafruit.com/alltheiot-transports/).
- **CircuitPython's AirLift support only provides BLE peripheral support** , BLE central support is under development. This means you can not connect the RP2040 to BLE devices such as heart rate monitors or thermometers, but you can make the RP2040 act as a BLE peripheral.

Info: This tutorial uses the mobile Adafruit Bluefruit Connect app on iOS and Android. To run the examples, your device must be compatible with one of these two apps - see the Apple app store or Google Play for compatibility.

## Parts
### Adafruit Feather RP2040

[Adafruit Feather RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4884)
A new chip means a new Feather, and the Raspberry Pi RP2040 is no exception. When we saw this chip we thought "this chip is going to be awesome when we give it the Feather Treatment" and so we did! This Feather features the  **RP2040** , and all niceties you know and...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4884)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4884/guides)
![Angled shot of black rectangular microcontroller "Feather RP2040"](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4884-04.jpg)

### Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040

[Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864)
The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico**. This...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4864/guides)
![Angle shot of Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4864-00.jpg)

### Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor

[Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4264)
Give your Feather project a _lift_ with the Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing - a FeatherWing that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your favorite Feather ([like the Feather M4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857)) that comes with its own...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4264)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4264/guides)
![Angled shot of Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4264-07.jpg)

### Adafruit AirLift – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor Breakout Board

[Adafruit AirLift – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor Breakout Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4201)
Give your plain ol' microcontroller project a _lift_ with the Adafruit AirLift - a breakout board that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your favorite microcontroller (like the ATmega328 or ATSAMD51), awesome peripherals and lots of libraries....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4201)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4201/guides)
![Top view of Adafruit AirLift Breakout Board.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4201-08.jpg)

### Part: FeatherWing Doubler
quantity: 1
FeatherWing Doubler - Prototyping Add-on For All Feather Boards
[FeatherWing Doubler](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2890)

### Part: USB-C Cable
quantity: 1
USB-C Cable for RP2040 Feather
[USB-C Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4199)

### Part: USB Cable
quantity: 1
USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long
[USB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)

### Part: Breadboard
quantity: 1
Full sized breadboard
[Breadboard](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239)

### Part: Breadboarding Wires
quantity: 1
Breadboarding wire bundle
[Breadboarding Wires](https://www.adafruit.com/product/153)

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-raspberry-pi-rp2040-with-ble-and-circuitpython/bluetooth-low-energy-basics.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit Feather RP2040

[Adafruit Feather RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4884)
A new chip means a new Feather, and the Raspberry Pi RP2040 is no exception. When we saw this chip we thought "this chip is going to be awesome when we give it the Feather Treatment" and so we did! This Feather features the  **RP2040** , and all niceties you know and...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4884)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4884/guides)
### Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor

[Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4264)
Give your Feather project a _lift_ with the Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing - a FeatherWing that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your favorite Feather ([like the Feather M4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3857)) that comes with its own...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4264)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4264/guides)
### Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040

[Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864)
The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico**. This...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4864/guides)
### Adafruit AirLift – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor Breakout Board

[Adafruit AirLift – ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor Breakout Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4201)
Give your plain ol' microcontroller project a _lift_ with the Adafruit AirLift - a breakout board that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your favorite microcontroller (like the ATmega328 or ATSAMD51), awesome peripherals and lots of libraries....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4201)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4201/guides)
### FeatherWing Doubler - Prototyping Add-on For All Feather Boards

[FeatherWing Doubler - Prototyping Add-on For All Feather Boards](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2890)
This is the **FeatherWing Doubler** - a prototyping add-on and more for all Feather boards. This is similar to our [FeatherWing Proto](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2884) except there are two! The magic of the Doubler comes when stacking a Feather and another...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2890)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2890/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### USB C to USB C Cable - USB 3.1 Gen 4 with E-Mark - 1 meter long

[USB C to USB C Cable - USB 3.1 Gen 4 with E-Mark - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4199)
As technology changes and adapts, so does Adafruit! Rather than the regular USB A, this cable has  **USB C to USB C**  plugs!

USB C is the latest industry-standard connector for transmitting data _and_ power. Like Lightning and MagSafe cables, USB C...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4199)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4199/guides)
### Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points

[Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239)
This is a 'full-size' premium quality breadboard, 830 tie points. Good for small and medium projects. It's 2.2" x 7" (5.5 cm x 17 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/239/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit AirLift - ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-airlift-breakout.md)
- [Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing - ESP32 WiFi Co-Processor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-airlift-featherwing-esp32-wifi-co-processor-featherwing.md)
- [Introducing Adafruit Feather RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-rp2040-pico.md)
- [Daily Cheer Automaton](https://learn.adafruit.com/daily-cheer-automaton.md)
- [Deco Two-Key Feather Macro Pad](https://learn.adafruit.com/deco-two-key-keypad-macropad-circuitpython-feather.md)
- [NeoTrellis MIDI Feedback Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-midi-feedback-controller.md)
- [Pulse Oximeter Wireless Data Logger](https://learn.adafruit.com/pulse-oximeter-wireless-data-logger.md)
- [MAC Address Finder](https://learn.adafruit.com/mac-address-finder.md)
- [DeviceScript, TypeScript for Microcontrollers](https://learn.adafruit.com/devicescript.md)
- [32x32 Square Pixel Art Animation Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/32x32-square-pixel-display.md)
- [IoT Air Quality Sensor with Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-air-quality-monitor.md)
- [Driving TM1814 addressable LEDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/driving-tm1814-addressable-leds.md)
- [Numpad 4000 Mechanical Keyswitch Data Entry Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/numpad-4000-mechanical-keyswitch-data-entry-device.md)
- [Easy Alexa (Echo) Control of your ESP8266 Huzzah](https://learn.adafruit.com/easy-alexa-or-echo-control-of-your-esp8266-huzzah.md)
- [4x4 Rotary Encoder MIDI Messenger](https://learn.adafruit.com/4x4-rotary-encoder-midi-messenger.md)
- [Adafruit Floppy FeatherWing with 34-Pin IDC Connector](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-floppy-featherwing-with-34-pin-idc-connector.md)
- [Disconnected CO2 Data Logger](https://learn.adafruit.com/disconnected-co2-data-logger.md)
- [MIDI Melody Maker](https://learn.adafruit.com/midi-melody-maker.md)