Note: The Maker App is now deprecated and no longer supported. Boards now connect directly through the browser, so no app is needed to access the Maker Toolkit.

Earlier this year, we enabled the ability to connect a device directly to App Lab within your browser for classrooms teaching the Physical Computing unit in CS Discoveries or the Creating Apps with Devices standalone unit. As a result, in the summer of 2023, we will be stopping support for the previous ways used to connect devices: the Code.org Maker App and Chrome Serial Extension used in Chromebooks.

Why are we making this change?

Connecting directly to your browser removes the need to download additional software (like the Maker App or Chrome Serial Extension for Chromebooks), and lets us focus on supporting and improving a single classroom experience rather than several different scenarios. And - it’s much easier to connect directly in the browser instead of using these other apps.

When are we making this change?

At the end of June 2023, we will disable support for the Maker App and Chrome Serial Connection. Any classrooms already teaching (or planning to teach) a Physical Computing unit during the 2022-2023 school year can still do so using these programs, or using the new method of directly connecting with your browser.

Who is most impacted by these changes?

If you are currently using the Maker App to connect devices:

• Before the 2023-2024 school year, make sure you have the latest Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser installed on your computers, then use these browsers to connect your devices following the steps in this guide.

If you are currently using Chromebooks to connect devices:

• Make sure your Chromebook is running at least version 90 of the ChromeOS operating system. 
• If your Chromebooks are older than this version and cannot be updated:
• This means your devices have reached their end of life, which is a policy designed by Google. To teach our physical computing units, you may need to contact your IT department to purchase new chromebooks that are capable of receiving updates.

If you will be teaching the unit for the first time in 2023-2024:

Before the 2023-2024 school year, make sure you have the latest Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser installed on your computers, then use these browsers to connect your devices following the steps in this guide.