App inventor wifi esp8266

ESP8266 Controlled with Android App (MIT App Inventor)

In this project, you’re going to build an Android app using the MIT App Inventor software that allows you to control the ESP8266 GPIOs.

First, watch the video demonstration

To learn more about the ESP8266 use the following tutorials as a reference:

If you like the ESP and you want to do more projects you can download my eBook Home Automation using ESP8266 here.

Let’s get started!

Parts List

Here’s the hardware that you need to complete this project:

You can use the preceding links or go directly to MakerAdvisor.com/tools to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!

After finishing editing the app you can click the “Build” app tab and install the .apk file in your Android. I personally recommend that you first upload the app provided below to ensure that everything works as expected (later you can edit the app).

Installing the Android App

Follow these instructions to install the default app that I’ve created:

1. Click here to download the .apk file
2. Unzip the folder
3. Move the .apk file to your Android phone
4. Run the .apk file to install the app

Here’s how the ESP8266 Controller app looks when you to open it.

It’s very easy to configure. Click the button “Set IP Address” on the bottom of the screen and type your IP address (in my case 192.168.1.95).

You’re all set!

Now you can turn the GPIOs high and low with your smartphone. Go to the top of this page to see a video demonstration of this project.

Taking It Further

This is a basic example that shows you how easy it is to integrate an Android app with the ESP8266. You can take this example and modify it.

You could add multiple screens to the app, so you can other ESPs or add buttons to control more GPIOs.

Do you have any questions? Leave a comment down below!

Thanks for reading. If you like this post probably you might like my next ones, so please support me by subscribing my blog.

[eBook] Build Web Servers with ESP32 and ESP8266 (2nd Edition)

Build Web Server projects with the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards to control outputs and monitor sensors remotely. Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript and client-server communication protocols DOWNLOAD »

Build Web Server projects with the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards to control outputs and monitor sensors remotely. Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript and client-server communication protocols DOWNLOAD »

Recommended Resources

Build a Home Automation System from Scratch » With Raspberry Pi, ESP8266, Arduino, and Node-RED.

Home Automation using ESP8266 eBook and video course » Build IoT and home automation projects.

Arduino Step-by-Step Projects » Build 25 Arduino projects with our course, even with no prior experience!

What to Read Next…

ESP8266 NodeMCU Digital Inputs and Digital Outputs (Arduino IDE)

ESP32 Neopixel Status Indicator and Sensor PCB Shield with Wi-Fi Manager

MicroPython: ESP32/ESP8266 BME680 Web Server (Weather Station)

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76 thoughts on “ESP8266 Controlled with Android App (MIT App Inventor)”

Good start!
If you want to do little advance like MQTT using App inventor, you can refer this. internetofhomethings.com/homethings/?p=1317 Reply

If ‘ve tried to make my first App …..
I don’t like this way to make App’s.
Too much complicated. 🙁
“programming” with scratch isn’t my thing and not realy programming 🙁
I much more like DroidScript with real commands. It’s a nice thing who like this way , sadly not my way Reply

This isn’t for everyone. The DroidSript looks good, but I didn’t have enough time to try it.
Thanks! Reply

I do it and it work for 2 week then its make a error on wifi connection my project was with arduino uno i change 3 esp8266 and same problem Reply

Download the netwatcher app to your computer and scan all the connected devices to your local network..
And set the new ip of the. Device(nodemcu). Reply

If You could to explain me, how to show value of DHT11 (temp and hum) from arduino on android app created in Mit app inventor 2 using ethernet shield? Thanks Reply

In a couple of weeks I’ll try to post a tutorial showing sensor data with the ESP8266. A similar app can be used with the Arduino and you can use it as an example Reply

Nice article – Thanks. Two questions:
What if you not on the same network? i.e. away on holiday? How would you do that? What is you want to do something the other way around … like for example when a GPIO is triggered (PIR or sensor) on the ESP8266, then send / push a notification to the Android phone? Thxs Reply

Right now this project only works in your network… And there isn’t a good solution to overcome this problem with MIT app inventor.
The push notification should be one of my next projects. Thanks for the suggestion,
Rui Reply

In answer to your first question, why don’t you try just forwarding TCP port 80 from your public address to the Arduino address? It works for me, I used a dynamic DNS service to have a simple name associated with my dynamic internet address, easy and free. Reply

Could you please explain what do you mean by this ?
How does it work ?
It’s a very old comment so does App inventor still does not allow to control devices from different networks ? Reply

Hi,
If your battery low. While gpio 0 is on(state = on), You renew battery. What is gpio? How make display state exactly?
(My english is not good) Reply

Is it possible to control two ore more esp8266 module with one app ?
My goal is to build several switches for lights and control them with a app on my android phone or tablet. Reply

Yes, you should be able to do that, simply add more screens and replicate the app to the other screens. Reply

hy Rui can u explain how can I control 2 motor in my line follower robot project, Using esp8266 Reply

I did as your listing here with my nodecmu in LUA, but the server not works (return ip=nil).
After that I run the same version in Arduino IDE, then it works on my local network but not on MIT app inventor 2 as you show. Reply

Hi! Thanks for the project
but i occur i error when i upload my codes and that is “‘wifi’ does not name a type”
this error is in the wifi.setmode(wifi.STATION)
pls tell me what to do . i upload the codes through arduino ide .i also flash my esp8266 before coding. Reply

Hi! Thanks for the project
but i occur i error when i upload my codes and that is “‘wifi’ does not name a type”
this error is in the wifi.setmode(wifi.STATION)
pls tell me what to do . i upload the codes through arduino ide .i also flash my esp8266 before coding Reply

Thanks, you should copy the exact code, that sounds like it’s missing some quotes in the code from copy and paste Reply

Hello,
I am new in this programming type, could you help me with some information relate d to the modification of the buttons?
I would like to change the type of buttons with toggle ones.
Also on the relay side I’ve like to use a switch for manual on/off with an 1 pole 2 way switch. Reply

HI BAD.
How is programming using Arduino IDE?
It would be the same?
I do not use Node moon.
tks Reply

The code can be easily modified to work with the Arduino IDE programming and the app should work there too.
Thanks,
Rui Reply

Hi Roberto Carlos,
Did you programed by using Arduino IDE?
Kindly share if you success because I am stuck, “cc to Mr. Rui.” Thanks Reply

Good video. Can you control esp8266 server connection and add a status bar in the program and show server active or inactive? For example when LED did not light on, ‘the server is inactive’ should be written on the status bar, or ‘the server is active’ should be written on reverse situation. Can this be made? Reply

Hi, is there a way to have the mit app to monitor the gpio state to do an event if for example the pin goes HIGH, eg a button is pressed Reply

Hi, is there a way to have the mit app to monitor the gpio state to do an event if for example the pin goes HIGH, eg a button is pressed Reply

I’m trying to send data from a slider control in app inventor rather than just a simple on /off switch, do you have any tips on how I would achieve this, many thanks. Reply

Yes, the process is simple, we have an example with sliders for Arduino
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/android-app-rgb-led-with-arduino-and-bluetooth/ However, with the ESP you have to send the slider values encoded in the URL, as we show you in this post for the button states.
Hope this helps.
Thanks. Reply

Hi Rui. Nice site and info. However the link .iai seems compromised somehow. Google drive reports:
“Sorry, this file is infected with a virus. Only the owner is allowed to download infected files.” Surely this must be in error right? Reply

Hi Dieter,
It must be some automatic Google software that blocked .apk files to be downloaded.
I’ve updated the links and it should be working now!
Thanks for letting me know,
Rui Reply

Hi Rui, thanks for the great tutorial. May i know if you have the code for ESP8266 in Arduino IDE? i’m quite unfamiliar with the lua language by the way.
really appreciate your help.
thank you. Reply

Hi.
Unfortunately we don’t have this code for Arduino IDE.
But maybe you can find out taking a look at other projects we have with MIT App Inventor and Arduino IDE (but with Arduino).
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/android-app-rgb-led-with-arduino-and-bluetooth/
Thanks. Reply

Hi.
The ESP is set as a station, so it connects to your router. With this setup your Android phone also needs to be connected to your router.
If you program your ESP to be set as an access point (AP), you can connect your Android phone directly to the ESP.
I hope this helps 🙂 Reply

Did everything as above, but after the esp boot, it doesnt print the ip address, but it prints null. This isnt a problem, because then i manually run the get ip line and then it prints the ip correctly. The problem is when I tap the buttons in the app that you made (i didnt change anything), nothing happens. i wrote the correct ip in the app.
the leds wont light up. esplorer esp memory info: Total : 549941 bytes
Used : 1506 bytes
Remain: 548435 bytes what should i do? Reply

Hi, I meant how do you configure “buttons” in the app to controll each one on arduino wifi modul? Reply

Hi again.
The application is built using MIT app inventor.
In MIT app inventor there is a section called “Designer” and a section called “Blocks”. In the designer you add add buttons, text, images and other widgets to your application. In the “Blocks” section you tell the app what you want to do with the buttons. Basically, there is a block that allows you to know when a button was pressed. Inside that block you add what you want to happen: usually you want to send a message via Bluetooth to the Arduino.
When the Arduino receives the message, you can do what you want accordingly to the received message or its content.
You can take a look at the following post for a getting started guide with the MIT app inventor with Arduino:
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-with-mit-app-inventor-2-and-arduino/You may also be interested in our MIT APP Inventor course that shows step by step how to build an application, add functionality to your buttons, as well as how to write the Arduino code.
[Course] Android Apps for Arduino with MIT App Inventor 2
I hope this helps,
Regards,
Sara 🙂 Reply

Hey
I just have a very basic question. Is MIT app inventor capable of controlling devices from a remote network ?
Further clarifying, is it possible to control devices while not being on the same network ? Reply

The video shows NodeMCU EXP-12 and the rest of the tutorial shows ESP-01?
What is the wiring diagra for the NodeMCU?
How do I do it using Arduino IDE? Reply

Hi Renier.
The wiring for nodemcu: one LED connects to D3 and the other LED connects to D4.
Sorry, but we don’t have this project with Arduino IDE.
Regards,
Sara Reply

Could you please provide the code that can be compiled directly on Arduino instead of uploading from ESPloer? Sorry I am not good at english Reply

Hi.
We don’t have that.
But you can follow this project: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp8266-web-server/
It is different, but the functionalities are the same.
Regards,
Sara Reply

Hi, I have a NODEMCU ESP8266 and a huge problem. I´ve completed every step of the tutorial but when wiring I realized my module had like 20 pins instead of the 8 yours have. Is there any way to achieve the same result with my version? Image of my model:
google.com/search?q=nodemcu+esp8266&rlz=1C1CHBD_esAR839AR839&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO4_Sw0ozjAhUsGbkGHel0C9AQ_AUIECgB&biw=1360&bih=657#imgrc=i3K8D9w3olRIHM:) Sorry for my english, im from Argentina. Thanks. Reply

Hi.
Yes, you can use your board.
You just need to use the same GPIOs we use in our example: GPIO0 and GPIO2. These GPIOs correspond to D3 and D4 in your board, respectively.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Sara Reply

Hi Rui,
This is great, but I am not familiar programming ESP8266 with LUA, do you have sample code of this project with arduino IDE? Thanks,
Benawi Santosa Reply

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