Install HAND-E
Put HAND-E on your Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.16 over USB, right from this page. It checks your board first and tells you what it will change before it changes anything.
Already installed? Activate your license instead.
This browser can’t talk to USB devices. Please use Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer.
1 Connect your board
Plug the board’s USB-C port into this computer with a data cable. Some cables only charge and won’t work.
Keep a microSD card of 32 GB or less in the board: apps and updates download to it.
Not sure? Compare your board with the photos on Waveshare’s product page.
Want the board’s original Waveshare demo back later? Waveshare’s page explains how to flash it.
Using Linux?
Chrome needs permission to use the USB port. Only Linux needs this; Windows and macOS need nothing. Open a terminal, paste this line, press Enter, then log out and in.
sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER
Put the board into download mode by hand
You need the small button marked BOOT, not PWR.
- Turn the board fully off: unplug the USB cable and, if it has one, the battery.
- Hold the BOOT button while you power the board on or plug the USB cable in.
- Let go of BOOT.
- Press Connect board again.
When the install is finished, switch the board off and on again without holding BOOT.
2 Your board
3 Enter your license code
One license key works on one board. Nothing is used or erased yet: the next step shows what will happen and asks you first.
4 Confirm
Only for the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.16. A board that only looks similar may be erased and then not work.
Check that your board has:
- a square 2.16-inch touch screen (480 × 480)
- a USB-C port
- two small buttons marked BOOT and PWR
Everything on this board will be erased. Its current software, settings, saved Wi-Fi networks and files are replaced by a fresh HAND-E. Files, settings and saved Wi-Fi on this board can’t be recovered afterwards. (You can still put Waveshare’s original demo back later; see the link above.)
When you press Erase, your license key is linked to this board (Board ID ). One key works on one board. Cancel, and your key is not used.
3 Repair HAND-E
This board already runs HAND-E. The repair puts the HAND-E launcher back so the board starts normally again. Your settings, apps and data are kept. No license code is needed if the board is already activated.
Advanced
A fresh install: your settings, apps and data are erased, and you’ll need your license code.
Working…
Keep the board plugged in and this tab open and in front until it says it’s done.
The board’s screen can keep its last picture until it restarts. That’s normal — follow the progress here.
Screen stays dark?
HAND-E is made for the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.16. Other ESP32-S3 boards look the same to your computer but stay dark. Put your original software back, or contact support.
Advanced
Technical log, for support.