Compile Arduino code on iPad

Projects Programming
1

Hello,

It's been years that I use Arduino and what's cool is that it's an infinite source of fun; since I'm still here.
However, I aquire an iPad a few months ago and I tried to find a (free) application to compile and maybe even upload code in the Arduino from my tablet but I didn't find any.
Since now there is OTA on the Arduino, I'd like just find a way to "convert" my file from .ino to .bin (or maybe .cpp would be great)
I tried on the Online Web Editor but it doen't seem to have the option as in the IDE to export the binary file

Do you know a way to get my binary (or cpp) file from the .ino file on my tablet?

Or maybe someone can (tell me how to) suggest Arduino to add this feature to the online web editor (or better, create an API to do this)

Waiting for your suggestions :slight_smile:

2

Even better, an application Arduino IDE (official) on the appStore and maybe PlayStore

3

I might use that, I like my iPad. But it is no substitute, or a poor one, for even the lamest of laptops computers.

I hope no one is spending time in making an iPad IDE for Arduino, in any way, shape or form.

Not when there are so many other things to work on for anyone with the talent to do that.

That may be why no iPad IDE, or means to burn code from there.

The wokwi simulator, for example, "works" on the iPad, but it is a miserable unsatisfactory tool there. I do not ask the wokwi crew to fix that for me - they've got plenty of things on their plate aready.

a7

4

Actually for some people their iPad is like a substitute of their PC
They use it as soon as they can but go on PC if iPad can't do what they want to

Even if there is no Arduino IDE as application, I think that adding the option in the web editor to download the binary file isn't much work and it could be useful because accessible from iPad

5

You can open a dedicated topic in the Web Editor forum category. In addition to being a place for supporting Arduino Web Editor users, that category is used for bug reports and feature requests.

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6

Well another idea is to have a windows PC running and remotely control this windows PC over AnyDesk or TeamViewer running on the iPAD. For Uploading code you could use the OTA-feature.

But: Do you really enjoy using the virtual keyboard for writing code?
Me personal I have bought a used Lenovo X1 Thinkpad tablet and a bluetooth mouse and a bluetooth keyboard.

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This is what I use all the time. It's my standard computer.
At home at the desk I connect a 24" monitor and that's it.

7

Authorising a web browser to automatically (ie remotely driven) export a file to something external over BT or the USB port is calling for trouble... It opens security holes which are probably a no go for Apple on iOS.

Safari web extensions (and WebExtensions) won't let you do this.

Not sure it's worth the trouble, even if iPads are used more an more in schools as a computer.

--

may be something to explore would be microPython but it's not C++ and bare metal access

8

Thanks for your solution but I pass haha!
I won't buy another tablet/PC just to be able to compile some arduino sketch

However, I'm not plannig on writing a hole sketch the iPad but just some quick changement
For example adjusting a tempo or something like that; not a complete new function (even if this is realisable)
You can connect some others bluetooth keyboard rather than the virtual one tho!

But if I had some it would have been a great suggestion

9

If you read what I wrote I didn't ask for the complete system to operate OTA on the iPad in this sentence but just to export the binary file!

On my arduino, I added a function that allows me to post a binary file to a Telegram Bot and then it updates the code itself; that's why I just need the .BIN file

However, it can also be possible for example by opening the ports of the Arduino to the external world
So that in the Web Editor you just have to put your IP address and the port you opened and it should be a go right?

But you're right, we can code Python on the iPad so we should be able to run microPython

10

There are websites like wokwi.com that allow you compile Arduino Code.
You might have to pay to include libraries though.
Can't export .Bin though....

11

If you want to generate the .bin on iPad you’ll need the whole compile and link chain which has lots of dependencies (scripts / arduino CLI,…)

So If the bin is generated elsewhere (remote compilation) then your ask is to move the .bin to whatever hosting site your ESP is configured to check for OTA update.

@StefanL38 idea of a remote VNC like approach then is not too far from this and you can tune the compile chain on the Mac/PC/Linux box you are VNC-ing into to post the bin where needed

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12

Thanks but the binary file is the most important part of the project tho!

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13

Yes but that I need another computer running at least every time I need it…
But if the only web editor of arduino had the option to export the binary file, I would just have to download the file and then send it where I need it to be

Plus, web editor have access to all of the libraries so it’s the paradise for people that wants the same thing as me

14

@Anthony_P has now created a dedicated topic to serve as the feature request for an "Export Compiled Binary" feature in Arduino Web Editor:

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