Skip to content

Setup MQTT

What is MQTT?

MQTT stands for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. It is a protocol that has been integrated into Meshtastic to allow nodes to relay messages over the internet, bridging gaps where a physical connection would otherwise not be possible.

MQTT Example
Image source

MQTT Settings

Enabling MQTT will allow your node to appear on Liam Cottle MeshMap, Global MeshMap, and Chicagoland MeshView.

  1. Go to your MQTT settings and select Enable.

  2. Set the following connection details:

    FieldValue
    MQTT Server Addressmqtt.chimesh.org
    Usernamemeshdev
    Passwordlarge4cats

    MQTT Settings Example

  3. Enable MQTT encryption.

  4. Ensure JSON and TLS are both disabled.

  5. Set your root topic to msh/US/IL/Chi.

    Warning

    The root topic field is case-sensitive. Do not include any leading or trailing spaces.

  6. Configure the Proxy to Client setting based on your connection type:

    • Wi-Fi — Set Proxy to Client to Off
    • Phone/Bluetooth — Set Proxy to Client to On

    MQTT Settings Example

  7. Go to Channel Settings, then open the Primary Channel and configure the following:

    FieldValue
    Pre-shared KeyAQ==
    Name(leave blank)
    MQTT UplinkEnabled
    MQTT DownlinkDisabled

    Info

    Uplink sends messages received by your node to MQTT. Disabling downlink prevents your node from receiving messages back from MQTT. See Optional Settings for more detail.

  8. Enable Map Reporting, set the Map Publish Interval to 3600 seconds, and choose your desired Position Precision.

    MQTT Settings Example

Optional Settings

  1. If you are using a mobile device, make sure Connect to Mesh is enabled.

  2. The uplink and downlink settings can be adjusted to your preference if you want to communicate with others through MQTT. The instructions above reflect the configuration standard we recommend.

  3. We recommend having at least uplink enabled on the primary channel with device position enabled, so your node appears on Liam Cottle MeshMap, Global MeshMap, and Chicagoland MeshView.