How to update Talko 2 and Teletype firmware

Update the firmware on an RP2040-based Talko 2 or Teletype from your browser using a ready-made .uf2 file. You do not need to compile the firmware or install a development environment.

Open the firmware uploader in desktop Chrome or Edge. Uploader documentation is also available.

What do I need?

A desktop computer running Chrome or Edge, a USB data cable, your device powered according to its normal setup, and a UF2 firmware file intended for that exact device and hardware version. Safari and Firefox do not support this uploader.

Use Talko 2 firmware for Talko 2 and Teletype firmware for Teletype. The uploader is shared, but the firmware files are not interchangeable. This guide covers the RP2040 models; do not assume it applies to an older Talko.

The firmware already on the device must support remote entry into its bootloader. That is what allows an update without reaching the internal BOOTSEL button. A blank board or firmware without this support needs the model’s manual bootloader procedure.

Where do I get the firmware?

Use the ready-made UF2 release supplied by Polaxis for your device. If it is supplied in a ZIP archive, extract the archive first and select the .uf2 file inside.

Talko 2: open the Talko 2 firmware download package and download the UF2 file. Sign in with your Polaxis customer account if prompted. The package currently lists version 1.3, Talko2_v1_3.uf2.

Teletype: the ready-made UF2 download link will be added here when available.

For Teletype source code and build instructions, the planned repository is TeleTypeController on GitHub. Building from source is optional.

How do I update?

1. Connect the device to your computer with a USB data cable. Close serial monitors and any other application using its USB serial port.
2. Open the firmware uploader in Chrome or Edge.
3. Under 1. Connect Device, click Pick Device. Choose your device in the browser’s serial-port chooser.
4. Under 2. Start Bootloader, click Reboot to Bootloader. The serial port disappears and a drive named RPI-RP2 should appear in Finder or File Explorer.
5. Under 3. Confirm/Pick Drive, click Pick RPI-RP2 Drive. Select the RPI-RP2 drive itself, rather than a folder inside it, and allow the browser to write to it when prompted.
6. Under 4. Upload Firmware, click Select UF2 File and choose the correct firmware file for your device.
7. Click Write UF2 to Drive. Leave the USB connection and power in place while the file is written. The device normally restarts automatically, and the RPI-RP2 drive disappears.
8. Wait for the device to restart, then check that it operates normally. For Teletype, reconnect in the configuration app to check the firmware version and saved mappings.

The device is not listed. What should I check?

Make sure you are using desktop Chrome or Edge and a data-capable USB cable. Try another USB port or cable, and close applications that may already have the serial port open. A charge-only cable can power a device without providing a data connection.

Why does the serial port disappear?

That is expected after Reboot to Bootloader. The device switches from its normal USB serial connection to the RPI-RP2 drive. Continue with Pick RPI-RP2 Drive.

The RPI-RP2 drive does not appear

Check Finder or File Explorer. If the device did not enter bootloader mode, its installed firmware may not support remote reboot. Follow the bootloader instructions for your exact model, or contact Polaxis for help. Once RPI-RP2 is available, you can select that drive in the uploader or copy the correct UF2 onto it manually.

The browser cannot write to the drive

Confirm that you selected RPI-RP2 and granted write access. On macOS, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Files and Folders and allow Chrome or Edge access to removable volumes if that option is shown. If your computer is managed by an organisation, its permissions may restrict access.

Do I need to keep the uploader or configuration app open?

No. The uploader is only used to install firmware. Teletype’s configuration app is a separate tool for assigning notes, knob functions and MIDI channels. Save those settings on Teletype, then close the app and play. Saved settings are retained after power-off during normal use.

Will an update keep my settings?

Check the release notes for the firmware you are installing. Settings compatibility can change between versions, so note your current mappings or take a screenshot before updating. Check them again afterward.

Before publication: add the Teletype firmware download link and validate the full update procedure on Talko 2 and Teletype, including settings retention for the supplied releases.