Launched in October 2023 by M5Stack, the StickC Plus2 has quickly become a popular choice among makers, educators, and embedded system developers. It’s widely used in IoT projects, embedded systems, and cybersecurity applications. Many users even compare it with Flipper Zero as affordable alternatives for their similar roles in wireless testing and cybersecurity tools.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the StickC Plus2’s key features, programming options, and practical project ideas.
The M5StickC Plus2 is a compact, all-in-one ESP32-S3 development board designed for rapid prototyping and embedded applications. It integrates a 1.14” TFT display, IMU, microphone, infrared transmitter, and rechargeable battery — all within an ultra-portable form factor.
With support for Arduino, UIFlow2, and MicroPython, the StickC Plus2 is well-suited for a wide range of applications, from IoT devices and wearable interfaces to educational tools and lightweight cybersecurity projects.
M5StickC Plus2 builds on the StickC Plus with a new ESP32-PICO-V3-02 chip, increased battery capacity, improved Wi-Fi and infrared performance, and an upgraded CH9102 UART for more stable USB communication. However, the original StickC Plus has a built-in battery management IC that Plus2 lacks.
Additionally, the two devices differ slightly in their power-on and power-off behavior.
M5StickC Plus2 is a compact ESP32-S3 board ideal for developers looking to build custom IoT or cybersecurity tools. With third-party firmware (Like Bruce), it can emulate some Flipper Zero features like RF, IR, and USB HID.
Flipper Zero, on the other hand, is a ready-made hacking device with built-in wireless protocols, perfect for users who want an all-in-one security testing tool without programming.
Designed for the ESP32 microcontroller platform, Bruce merges Wi-Fi, RF (Radio Frequency), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), IR, and USB capabilities into a single, modular offensive toolkit tailored for red team activities and security research.
The easiest way to install Bruce on your M5Stack device is with M5Burner, M5Stack’s official firmware flashing tool.
If you haven’t downloaded it yet, click here to get started.
Open M5Burner > Select STICKC > Scroll down and you’ll see Bruce for StickC plus2 (or simply type “Bruce” into the search bar to locate it quickly.)
Click Download > Connect your device via a USB cable > Click Burn, select the corresponding USB port and default baud rate 1500000 > Hit Start to begin flashing
Note: Bruce is an open-source, community-developed firmware project not officially affiliated with M5Stack. A warning may pop up when you download the firmware.
Once you see the message "Burn successfully, click here to return", click it to finish, and press the reset button on your device once to let it start. Now you can begin exploring its features!
Note: If any issues occur during flashing, you may need to install a USB driver on your computer, or long-press the reset button on the main controller to enter download mode. For details, refer to the documentation page of your specific main controller device.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All use must comply with local laws. Use only for educational or testing purposes on your own devices.
1. Wi-Fi Attacks: Beacon flooding, deauthentication, EvilPortal phishing pages, EAPOL handshake capture, ARP spoofing, and wardriving GPS mapping.
The captive portal is one of Bruce’s most well-known features, commonly used for Wi-Fi phishing attacks. To launch it, go to Wi-Fi > Evil Portal, enter the target Wi-Fi name, and specify an IP address (or use the default). The phishing portal will begin broadcasting immediately.
On the screen, you'll see two URLs, these are used to view captured credentials and spoofed SSIDs. When a user attempts to log in through the fake portal, their credentials are captured by the device.
Public Wi-Fi networks present inherent security risks. It is advisable to avoid using such networks whenever possible. If usage is necessary, refrain from logging into personal accounts or transmitting sensitive information to minimize potential exposure.
2. Infrared & BadUSB: Offers IR transmission and reception, along with USB HID keyboard / mouse simulation on supported boards.
For example, navigate to the main menu, select the BadUSB section, choose a script, then run it to start USB keystroke injection. You can also watch this quick video by Pirata to see it in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F_7QlGVx-XU
3. Sub-GHz & RF Hacking: Integrates modules like CC1101 and NRF24 for jamming, scanning, and replaying RF signals.
4. RFID / NFC Tools: Uses the PN532 chip to support Mifare Ultralight tag emulation, reading, writing, and P2P communication.
5. Bluetooth LE: Scanning, beacon broadcasting, and early BLE payload experiments were implemented as early as version 1.3.
6. Web Interface & Scripting: Features a full web UI for module control, LittleFS/SD card file management, and an integrated JavaScript scripting interface for automation and extension.
Bruce is licensed under the AGPL-3.0 for its firmware, emphasizing true software freedom. It supports a variety of ESP32 and ESP32-S3 development boards, except for the M5StickC Plus2, it's also suitable for: Cardputer, Core1 (Basic), Core2, CoreS3 / SE, StickC-Plus. It lowers the barrier for both beginners and experts looking to dive into embedded offensive tooling.
Meshtastic is an open-source, off-grid communication project that uses LoRa (Long Range) radio technology to enable secure, long-distance messaging without the internet or cellular networks. It leverages point-to-point(P2P) and mesh communication in areas with no internet or cellular access by forming a self-sufficient network of devices. Utilizing ultra-low power hardware and license-free frequency bands, it enables long-range message transmission, making it ideal for outdoor adventures, emergency rescue, rural connectivity, and low-power IoT applications.
In this guide, we'll walk you through building your very own Meshtastic LoRa node using Module LoRa868 and ESP32-based M5Stack Core series controllers.
What You’ll Need
The easiest way to install Meshtastic firmware on your M5Stack device is with M5Burner, a simple and free intuitive firmware flashing tool developed by M5Stack.
1. Locate the Meshtastic Firmware
Open M5Burner > Select ALL from the list in the left column > Input "Meshtastic" into the search bar and choose the firmware that match your device > Click Download.
If you haven’t installed M5Burner, click here and follow the installation steps to download it to your computer.
2. Connect Your Device and Start Flashing
– Connect the main controller to your computer via USB data cable > Click Burn > Select the correct USB port and set baud rate to 1500000 > Click Start to begin flashing.
– Wait for the message "Burn successfully" > Click "Click here to return" > When the Meshtastic logo "//\" appears on the screen, disconnect the device from your computer.
Note: if flashing fails, try installing the USB driver on your computer or long-press the reset button on the main controller to enter download mode. For more information, refer to your device’s documentation page.
After the firmware successfully downloaded on the device:
– Check M5Burner firmware for pin info and set DIP switches by following Module LoRa868 v1.2 DIP Switch Guide (for Core1/Core2: long pins 2,5,7 and short pin 1 ON).
– Remove red dust cap > Install antenna > Connect the module to the device.
– Power on the device, then the Meshtastic logo "//\" will appear.
Safety Warning
Do NOT connect or power on the device without installing the antenna, as this may cause permanent hardware damage!
1. Install the Meshtastic app on Your Phone
Download the Meshtastic app from the Google Play or Download APK from GitHub(for Android) or App Store(for IOS).
2. Pair the Device
Open the Meshtastic app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your device via Bluetooth—nearby devices will be detected automatically. The iOS and Android Meshtastic apps offer similar features but have different interfaces, so setup steps and screenshots are shown separately for each platform.
3. Configure Device Settings
After pairing, you could set the Lora region, select the appropriate region (e.g., EU 868MHz), username in the app.
When running Meshtastic, the ESP32 can't use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth simultaneously. Bluetooth is enabled by default. If you turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth will be disabled. To re-enable it, connect the device to your computer via USB and use the Meshtastic Web Client in Chrome to disable Wi-Fi.
Step 4: Add GPS To Your Meshtastic Node
Core1/Core2 with LoRa868 v1.2 doesn’t have built-in GPS, but you can share your smartphone’s GPS location with the device. It's useful for team members to track each other during outdoor activities.
Step 5: Send and Receive Message
With other nodes show up in the list, you're connected to the mesh and can start messaging via the Meshtastic app.
Is Meshtastic Legal?
Yes, it’s legal. Meshtastic operates on license-free frequency bands such as 433 / 470 / 868 / 915 MHz which is in full compliance with FCC regulations.
How far does Meshtastic work?
The estimated range of this Meshtastic setup is around 4 km (2.49 miles). But the range between two Meshtastic nodes varies based on antenna setup, and environmental conditions. You may try moving the device around to test the range, check the signal to ensure stable connectivity.
For those exploring what hardware ChatGPT runs on, the traditional answer involves large-scale cloud infrastructure. However, with the OpenAI API and lightweight microcontrollers like the M5Stack ESP32-based AtomS3R, it’s now possible to build a compact, connected ChatGPT AI device. Paired with the Atomic Echo Base for audio I/O, this setup enables a tiny AI voice assistant capable of real-time voice interaction via Wi-Fi.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to build your own AI-powered voice assistant using OpenAI—no coding required.
M5Stack AtomS3R
The M5Stack AtomS3R is a compact microcontroller powered by the ESP32-S3 chip, measuring just 24 × 24 mm. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and offline voice wake-up, making it ideal for building portable AI voice assistant and IoT applications.
Required Hardware
M5Burner is a tool that enables creators to upload firmware and allows users to flash it onto M5Stack devices. If you haven’t downloaded it before, please select the version compatible with your operating system to proceed.
| Software Version | Download Link |
|---|---|
| M5Burner_Windows | Download |
| M5Burner_MacOS | Download |
| M5Burner_Linux | Download |
1. Download the OpenAI Firmware
Double click M5Burner > Locate the OpenAI Voice Assistant for AtomS3R Firmware > Click Download.
2. Get Your OpenAI API Key
An API key is required after clicking Download. Visit OpenAI's platform > Complete registration and login > Review pricing for Realtime API and select the package > Navigate to the API Keys section and create a new key
3. Firmware Flashing
I. Input your Wi-Fi connection information and OpenAI API keys in the pop-up window > Hit Next
II. Connect your AtomS3R via USB-C > Press and hold the Reset button for ~2 seconds until the green LED turns on, then release to enter the download mode.
III. Select the correct COM port and click “Start” to start flashing.
Once completed, your device will reboot and connect to OpenAI for real-time voice interaction. You could speak directly to your assistant and receive instant responses.
If you prefer a more customizable approach to integrate the OpenAI into your project instead of downloading the prebuilt firmware from M5Burner, you could visit GitHub for the original source code.
