BYOD

Bring your own device to TRMNL.

Before diving into "how," it's worth mentioning the investment required to build your own device could be greater than our retail price.

Making a TRMNL from scratch is not an economically rational decision, but rather a labor of love. We learned this the hard fun way between December 2023 and July 2024.

Here's what you can expect to spend per component:

• Battery, $5 (unnecessary if you prefer plugged in)

• EPD screen, $50 (this one is compatible)

• Microcontroller, $3-30 (build yourself or leverage a PCB prototyper)

• Enclosure/case, $3-20 (print one of ours or design your own)

Build from scratch (Advanced)

OSS approach

1. Build a device and flash our firmware -- or flash it from your browser at trmnl.com/flash

2. Spin up a BYOS server client

OSS + closed source approach

1. Build a device and flash our firmware -- or flash it from your browser at trmnl.com/flash

2. Buy a BYOD license (one-time) to the TRMNL web app + API, or start a 14-day free trial

3. Create a BYOD device: https://trmnl.com/claim-a-device (trial accounts get one automatically)

4. Visit your device settings page to select your Device Model and then, under the Developer Perks section set your DIY device's MAC address

5. Your DIY device will render a 6-character ID; this is your device's Friendly ID and is already visible inside your Device settings. No action is required.

6. Connect native apps or start building private plugins from the Plugins tab; this is equivalent access as "Developer Edition" for TRMNL hardware.

Our server matches your device by the MAC address it sends in the ID header of /api/setup. If setup answers "MAC not registered," double check step 4.

Other screens

Kindle, Kobo, Nook, BOOX, Raspberry Pi, iPad + Android tablets can run TRMNL too -- some with a companion app, others with a jailbreak. Pick your hardware in the wizard at trmnl.com/byod for step-by-step instructions, and browse the supported device models.

DIY Kit (Intermediate)

On July 17, 2025 we announced a partnership with Seeed Studio.

• Get the DIY kit

• Flash the firmware from your browser (the Seeed OG DIY Kit, XIAO 7.5" panel, E1001 + E1002 are all listed)

• Get a BYOD license (optional)

• Seeed Wiki - XIAO 7.5" panel (May 2025)

• Seeed Wiki - TRMNL DIY Kit (July 2025)

TRMNL + Seeed Studio partnership launch

If you're a Seeed Studio early adopter (XIAO esp32-c3 board), check out the community guides below for in-depth setup assistance. You can also leverage the Seeed Wiki guide to TRMNL.

E-Paper Dashboard without coding | Xiao E-Paper Display and TRMNL Firmware

Seeed Studio XIAO Esp32-C3 board

Need Help?

Send us a live chat or join the Developer-only Discord, accessible from your Account tab.