How to Install CircuitPython on Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 and XIAO nR

Recently, some friends have asked how to install CircuitPython on Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3. Today, OpenELAB will explain to you how to install CircuitPython on Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3.

First of all, you must have a Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3.

XIAO ESP32S3

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🛠️ Installing CircuitPython on the XIAO ESP32S3 (Standard or Sense)

📥 Download the CircuitPython Firmware

Supported versions: 9.1.1 and 9.2.0 Alpha
Official download page: CircuitPython for XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

🔌 Entering Bootloader Mode

To prepare the board for firmware installation:

Press and hold the BOOT button on the XIAO ESP32S3.
While holding BOOT, connect the board to your computer using a USB data cable.
Release the BOOT button once connected.

You may optionally upload a simple Blink programme to verify the board is functioning correctly.

If you use the XIAO nRF52840, before we install CircuitPython to Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840, it requires bootloader mode. We can enter bootloader mode by clicking Reset Button twice.

Download the firmware for Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840

Drag the .urf file to the disk driver("XIAO-SENSE")

Check the disk driver if the name has changed to "CIRCUITPY".

Now you have successfully installed CircuitPython on the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 board.

🧰 Configuring Thonny IDE

Launch Thonny.
Navigate to Tools → Options.
Under the Interpreter tab, select CircuitPython (generic).

💾 Flashing the Firmware

In Thonny, click on the (esptool) installer.
Select the correct Target port for your board.
Choose the ESP32-S3 family.
Click the icon with three horizontal lines next to the Install button to locate and select the firmware file you downloaded (e.g. seeed_xiao_esp32s3_911.bin or seeed_xiao_esp32s3_920.bin).
Click Install and wait for the process to complete. Once you see “Done”, you may close the window.

✅ Verifying Installation

Your computer should now detect a USB drive named CIRCUITPY.
This confirms that CircuitPython has been successfully installed.

📚 Adding Libraries

Copy the required .mpy library files into the CIRCUITPY/lib directory.
You may use the circup tool to install and manage Adafruit libraries efficiently.

Programming

We use the Thonny IDE for our programming, today I'll use Seeed Studio 6x10 RGB MATRIX for XIAO

This completes the installation and programming of CircuitPython.

How to Install CircuitPython on Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 and XIAO nRF52840