How do I use the PICKit 5?

Two Ways to Use the PICkit 5

All LED codes on the PICkit 5 are the same as on the PICkit 4. See the LED Guide at the end of this article.

Part 1: Load Images onto the SD Card

1

Copy the image’s _ptg folder to the SD card. Get the image files from Fleetwatch Support. Open the folder for the image you want, then copy only the folder ending in _ptg to your SD card. Do not copy the conf.ptg file. Example: loading the A301A30 version 4.04 image. a. Select the image folder b. Copy the _ptg folder (not conf.ptg) c. Paste it onto the SD card The PICkit 5 can store multiple images on one SD card. Repeat this step for any other images you want.

2

Add a dummy folder last, named “DoNotSelectt”. The mobile app always drops the last character of the last folder added, so that folder won’t work. A dummy folder takes that spot so your real images aren’t affected. The extra “t” is intentional. Adding more images later? Delete the DoNotSelectt folder, add your new images, then add DoNotSelectt again so it’s always the last folder added.

Part 2: Connect with the MPLAB PTG App

3	Install the MPLAB PTG app. Download MPLAB PTG from your phone’s app store. The app icon is shown at right. Screenshots in this guide are from an iPhone.
4	Turn on Bluetooth and power the PICkit 5. Enable Bluetooth on your phone. Power the PICkit 5 in any of these ways: • From a PC with a USB-C cable • Through its ICSP connection to a target device that has power • Both at once Programming only works when the PICkit 5 is connected to the target device through ICSP. USB-C alone powers it but can’t program.
5	Open the app. You’ll see the MPLAB PTG shield logo.
6	Select your PICkit 5. If the screen doesn’t change on its own within a few seconds, tap the shield logo to open Available Devices, then select your device. • The range is very short. Hold your phone within a foot or two of the PICkit 5. • Not sure which device is yours? Match the serial number (SN) in the list to the serial number on the back of the PICkit 5.
7	Turn on PTG mode. The status screen shows useful information, including the image currently set to program. If the PTG mode switch is off (gray), tap it to turn it on (green).

Part 3: Select an Image and Program

8	Tap Browse SD card. The button is at the bottom left of the status screen.
9	Select an image. The File Manager lists the images on your SD card. Use the search bar at the top to find an image by its folder name, then tap it to select it. The example shows sample images (GoRight.ptg, GoLeft.ptg). You’ll see your own image names.
10	Tap Program. The Operation screen opens with your selected image. Before tapping Program, make sure the PICkit 5 is connected to the target device through ICSP and the device has power.
11	Wait while it programs. A “Programming started!” notification appears. After a short delay, the PICkit 5 light changes to blinking purple while it programs the device. Don’t disconnect anything.
12	Confirm it finished. When programming is done, the notification disappears and the light returns to slow flashing green, ready to program again. If the light flashes red rapidly, the programming failed. Programming more devices? Just repeat with the next device. The PICkit 5 keeps using the image you selected in step 9, even after it’s powered off. To switch images, repeat steps 5–9.

LED Guide

Additional Documentation

More PICkit 5 documentation is available on Microchip’s website: