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Tiếng ViệtGetting Started with Nelos
Nelos works over Bluetooth with MeshCore and Meshtastic®-compatible LoRa devices. The app is the interface; the radio does the transmission - so the setup is the same shape either way, and most teams are up and running in minutes.
You do not need an account, phone number, or internet connection to communicate once your devices are connected.
One firmware per team
A team runs on one firmware protocol at a time - MeshCore and Meshtastic®-compatible radios don't speak the same protocol. Pick which one your team is using below. If your group uses both, you can run separate teams for each.
Pick your firmware
Everything below - hardware, team setup, and trackers - follows whichever firmware you pick.
What you'll need
- Nelos installed on your phone
- A MeshCore device
- Bluetooth enabled
- Optional: one or more additional MeshCore devices to use as trackers for people, pets, or gear
MeshCore devices
Nelos works with MeshCore companion firmware running on supported LoRa hardware. If you already have a MeshCore radio, flash it with the standard companion firmware and Nelos will detect it automatically over Bluetooth.
If you're choosing hardware for the first time, see the MeshCore project for current firmware and supported boards.
Creating a new team
- Connect your device.
- Tap Create Team.
- If the device has never been configured before, Nelos may ask you to choose a country once.
- Nelos automatically configures the appropriate radio settings.
- Create your team and invite others.
Why country selection exists
If the device has never been configured before, Nelos may ask you to choose a country once, and will automatically configure the correct LoRa radio settings for that device.
This step is only required when creating a new team with a new or unconfigured device. It only needs to be done once per device and can be changed later in Device Settings.
If you're joining an existing team, Nelos automatically uses the team's radio settings - no country selection is required.
Adding trackers
Add MeshCore devices as dedicated trackers, separate from team members - they appear on your map, not in your chat.
No phone required
Once configured, MeshCore devices work as standalone trackers - no phone, SIM, or internet needed.
- No phone attached
- No SIM card
- No internet required
- Battery-powered
- Appears on your team's map
Useful for tracking:
- Power on the device, within Bluetooth range of your phone
- Open Trackers, tap Add Tracker
- Name and pair it - it can't send messages, only broadcasts its position
Joining an existing team
If you're joining a team, you do not need to choose a country. Nelos automatically applies the team's radio settings from the invitation - most people who join a team never need to think about radio settings at all.
- Open the invite.
- Join the team.
- Wait for synchronization to complete.
What you'll need
- Nelos installed on your phone
- A Meshtastic®-compatible device
- Bluetooth enabled
- Optional: one or more additional Meshtastic®-compatible devices to use as trackers for people, pets, or gear
Meshtastic®-compatible devices
Popular Meshtastic®-compatible devices include:
- LilyGO T-Echo
- Seeed SenseCAP T1000-E
- Heltec T114
- Heltec V3
Many other Meshtastic®-compatible devices are also supported. For a broader list of hardware options, see the Meshtastic® hardware guide.
Creating a new team
- Connect your device.
- Tap Create Team.
- If the device has never been configured before, Nelos may ask you to choose a country once.
- Nelos automatically configures the appropriate radio settings.
- Create your team and invite others.
Why country selection exists
If the device has never been configured before, Nelos may ask you to choose a country once, and will automatically configure the correct LoRa radio settings for that device.
This step is only required when creating a new team with a new or unconfigured device. It only needs to be done once per device and can be changed later in Device Settings.
If you're joining an existing team, Nelos automatically uses the team's radio settings - no country selection is required.
Adding trackers
Add Meshtastic®-compatible devices as dedicated trackers, separate from team members - they appear on your map, not in your chat.
No phone required
Once configured, Meshtastic®-compatible devices work as standalone trackers - no phone, SIM, or internet needed.
- No phone attached
- No SIM card
- No internet required
- Battery-powered
- Appears on your team's map
Useful for tracking:
- Power on the device, within Bluetooth range of your phone
- Open Trackers, tap Add Tracker
- Name and pair it - it can't send messages, only broadcasts its position
Joining an existing team
If you're joining a team, you do not need to choose a country. Nelos automatically applies the team's radio settings from the invitation - most people who join a team never need to think about radio settings at all.
- Open the invite.
- Join the team.
- Wait for synchronization to complete.
Features
Frequently asked questions
Do I need internet?
No. Nelos communicates through MeshCore or Meshtastic®-compatible LoRa devices. Internet is only used for optional map downloads.
Do I need an account?
No. There's no account, phone number, or sign-up.
Can I mix MeshCore and Meshtastic® in the same team?
A team runs on one firmware type at a time - everyone in a team uses either MeshCore or Meshtastic®-compatible devices, since the two are different radio protocols. You can run separate teams for each if you use both.
Can I track a child, pet, or vehicle?
Yes. You can add a compatible LoRa device as a tracker and give it a name - for example, a child, dog, motorbike, or backpack. After a one-time setup from your phone, the tracker works standalone - no phone attached, no SIM card, no internet needed. It will appear on your offline map so you can see its location alongside your team.
What is the difference between a team member and a tracker?
A team member is a person running the Nelos app on their phone. They can send messages, share their location, and send Need Help alerts.
A tracker is a LoRa device attached to a person, pet, or object. It broadcasts its position over the LoRa mesh but does not run Nelos and cannot send or receive messages.
Do trackers need internet?
No. Trackers communicate over the LoRa mesh just like everything else in Nelos - no internet or mobile signal required.
Do I need the MeshCore or Meshtastic® app installed?
No. Nelos can configure and communicate with supported devices directly over Bluetooth.
What happens if I choose the wrong country?
You can change it later in Device Settings.