Getting Started

Just got your Byte 90 Series 2 AI Edition? This quick start guide will have you set up and ready to go in no time.

Connecting your BYTE 90 to WiFi

First-time setup

When you power on your BYTE 90 for the first time, you’ll need to connect it to WiFi. WiFi is only required for AI functionality.

  1. Connect your phone or computer to BYTE90_Config.
  2. BYTE 90 will scan for available WiFi networks.
  3. Select your network and enter the password to save it to BYTE 90.
  4. Set your timezone and location for accurate time syncing.

Additional settings can also be configured in this portal.

Activating your Xiaozhi device

Device Activation

Once connected to Wi-Fi, your BYTE 90 will display an Activation Code on screen.

  1. Visit xiaozhi.me.
  2. Create or sign in to your Xiaozhi account.
  3. In the xiaozhi console click add agent
  4. Enter the activation code displayed on your BYTE 90 to add your BYTE 90 to activate.

Note: If the activation code does not appear, open the BYTE90_Config portal, disconnect from Wi-Fi, and reconnect.

Activating OpenAi

Using OpenAI Firmware

This is an alternative setup option that requires the OpenAI firmware.

If you install the OpenAI firmware, device activation is not required. Instead, you will need an OpenAI API key.

  1. Obtain your OpenAI API key.
  2. Open the BYTE90_Config portal.
  3. Enter your API key to activate the OpenAI Agent on your BYTE 90.

No additional setup is required.

Setting up your Xiaozhi Agent

Configure Your Agent

In the Xiaozhi console, on your Agent card and click “Configure Role.” From here you can set:

  • Assistant Name
  • Language
  • Voice
  • Role Instructions

Role Instructions define your BYTE 90’s personality and how it responds.

You can copy the default BYTE 90 role template from my GitHub page and paste it here.

Communitcating with BYTE 90

Press the button to start a conversation with BYTE 90. It will connect and play the connecting animation. Once connected BYTE 90 will begin listening.

  • Press the button while BYTE 90 is speaking to interrupt it.
  • Press the button while it is listening to disconnect and end the conversation.

Communication status

Status Indicators

BYTE 90 displays conversation status on the screen. The four dots in the top-left corner indicate connection status:

  • Dim grey — Disconnected
  • Yellow — Connecting
  • Blue — Connected
  • Pulsing blue — Listening

BYTE 90 also uses audio and animation cues to indicate when it is connecting, listening, or speaking.

On Device functions

Built-in Commands

BYTE 90 includes several built-in features you can activate with voice commands. For example, you can:

  • Ask “What’s the current device status?” to check system status
  • Adjust volume and display brightness
  • Enable or disable themes and visual effects
  • Set timers, display clock mode, or ask for the current time

Available themes and effects

Built-in Themes & Effects

BYTE 90 includes the following display themes and effects. You can enable and disable them through the AI by asking it directly or configure it through Byte90_Config.

  • Scanlines
  • Glitch
  • Dot Matrix
  • Green Tint
  • Blue Tint
  • Yellow Tint

Looking to develop with BYTE 90?

BYTE 90's firmware is opensource you can visit the GitHub repo for the hackable firmware and implement custom functionality or integrate with Home Assistant and other APIs.

GitHub

Trouble shooting & Questions

Why does my AI seems so laggy?

Xiaozhi AI is a popular open-source AI agent in China. During peak hours, the servers can experience heavy traffic, which may result in higher communication latency.

BYTE 90 uses Xiaozhi to support open-source AI development. If you prefer a more stable connection, you can install the OpenAI firmware.

Note: Using the OpenAI firmware requires an OpenAI API key and usage fees may apply.

I cannot activate my Xiaozhi AI?

If you are experiencing activation Issues follow the instructions for activating your device at xiaozhi.me.

If you see the message “The activation code has expired”, it may be due to a timeout. Restart your BYTE 90, then reconnect to Wi-Fi to generate a new activation code.

How long is the battery life?

Byte 90 can run for up to 2 days on a full charge. It automatically manages battery life by entering deep sleep when not in use.

How do I charge Byte 90?

Byte 90 charges via the provided USB-C cable and requires 1-2 hours for a full charge. A red flashing light indicates charging is in progress, while a solid red light indicates charging is complete.

What's the password for Byte90_Config?

You can enter the Byte90_Config portal by connecting to it in your WiFi. The default password is 12345678.

My Byte 90 is not turning on

When you first receive your Byte 90, ensure it's fully charged. If the device doesn't turn on after connecting the battery, try powering it via the USB-C connection. If it still doesn't activate, please contact us for support.

Can I use Byte 90 without the battery?

Yes, you can power Byte 90 directly using the included USB-C cable without a battery. Please note that international orders do not include batteries due to shipping restrictions.

My Byte 90 froze, what can I do?

If your Byte 90 freezes and becomes unresponsive, you may need to perform a manual reset. Locate the two tiny buttons on the Byte 90 board labeled "Boot" and "Reset." Press the Reset button to restart the device. If this doesn't resolve the issue, contact us for support as you may need to reflash the firmware.

For more details on the Xiao ESP32 S3 controller visit this link.

My Byte 90 randomly restarts itself, what can I do?

If you're experiencing random restarts, this indicates your Byte 90 has very low battery and cannot maintain power. To resolve this, connect the USB-C cable and charge for 1-2 hours.

Can I add custom animations?

Yes, but you'll need programming knowledge to implement new animations. While Byte 90 is developer-friendly, it requires coding skills rather than a no-code approach. The device maintains proprietary animations to ensure brand consistency.

Can I develop custom firmware?

Yes, with programming knowledge you can develop custom firmware for Byte 90. The device runs on an ESP32 S3 microcontroller with Arduino framework. You're free to modify the open source firmware if you have the technical expertise. Contact us if you need to restore the original firmware.

Can you release the 3D files and animations?

The 3D files and animations are not open source. They remain proprietary for brand consistency and maintain brand authenticity. As a product designer, it's essential to protect original designs and creations to support ongoing development and future iterations of the product.