Download and Install the LEGO SPIKE App
The LEGO Education SPIKE App is the official programming software - both Word Blocks and Python live inside it, and it is free.
Download
Get it from the official page: education.lego.com/downloads/spike-app/software. Skip third-party mirrors - the hub firmware updater ships inside the app.
| Platform | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 / 11 | Official download page | Installing and updating needs administrator rights |
| macOS | Official download page | |
| iPad | App Store, search "SPIKE LEGO Education" | Tablets only, there is no iPhone build |
| Android tablet | Google Play, same name | Tablets only |
| Chromebook | Google Play - it runs the Android app | Play Store access must be enabled |
| Web, nothing to install | spike.legoeducation.com | Chrome is the officially supported browser |
The current line is SPIKE App 3 (3.6.1 as of August 2026). Everything on this site is written for App 3.
System requirements
| Platform | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1803, or Windows 11 (64-bit) version 22H2; 1.5 GHz Core i3; 4 GB RAM; 3 GB free; Bluetooth 4.0+ |
| macOS | macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer; 4 GB RAM; 2 GB free; Bluetooth 4.0+ |
| iPad | iPad Air 2 / iPad Mini 4 or newer; iPadOS 14 or newer |
| Android | Android 7.0 or newer; 8-inch display or larger; 3 GB RAM; 3 GB free; Bluetooth 4.0+ |
| Chromebook | Android 7.0 or newer with Play Store access; 4 GB RAM; 3 GB free; Bluetooth 4.0+ |
For FLL training use the desktop or web version: bigger screen, comfortable Python editing, cleaner program management.
Web version: nothing to install, two ways to connect
The web app reaches the hub through Web Bluetooth by default, or Web Serial when you plug in USB. Both are Chrome APIs, which is why Chrome (Windows, macOS, Chromebook) is the supported browser. This is the way out when school laptops forbid installing software.
SPIKE App 3 vs SPIKE Legacy
SPIKE App 2 is published separately as the SPIKE Legacy App and was retired at the end of 2023 - no updates, no support. Install it only to keep old App 2 material alive.
- App 3 opens App 2 projects (
.llsp) and converts them automatically, but read the program afterwards: some blocks get rewritten or dropped in the conversion. - The reverse does not work: App 3 projects (
.llsp3) will not open in Legacy, and will not run on a hub whose firmware has not been updated.
Connect the hub
Two options:
- USB cable: hub's USB port to your computer. Most stable, fastest downloads - recommended for practice.
- Bluetooth: press the Bluetooth button on the hub (light blinks), then pick your hub in the app. Handy at competitions.
Once connected, the app shows the hub's battery level and connection status.
Update the firmware
On first connection the app usually prompts for a hub firmware update. Do it - many Word Blocks and Python features depend on recent firmware. Don't unplug or power off during the update.
Know the interface
When creating a project, choose the language:
- Word Blocks: drag-and-drop graphical blocks, the place to start.
- Python: text code editor, for later.
Key areas of the programming screen:
| Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Block palette (left) | All blocks by category: Motors, Movement, Light, Sound, Events, Control, Sensors, Operators, Variables, My Blocks |
| Canvas (center) | Drag blocks here to build programs |
| Download/Run button | Sends the program to the hub and runs it |
| Hub connection panel | Shows what's plugged into each port, with live sensor readings |
The hub connection panel is a debugging gem
It shows live motor angles and sensor values per port. Tuning a line-follow threshold or hunting a wiring problem? Look here first.
Program slots
The hub stores multiple programs (slots 0-19). Pick a slot when downloading; offline, use the hub's left/right buttons to select a slot and the center button to start. FLL runs entirely on this: at the table the robot is not connected to a computer.
Next: your first program.