Arduino Nano 33 IoT - DIYables Bluetooth App Analog Gauge
Overview
In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to use the Bluetooth Analog Gauge feature with the Arduino Nano 33 IoT. The analog gauge displays a value from your Arduino as a visual dial on your smartphone screen — similar to a speedometer or fuel gauge. You can configure the minimum, maximum, and unit label to match your sensor. It is great for displaying RPM, pressure, voltage, or any measurement where a dial is easier to read at a glance than a number.
Note: The Arduino Nano 33 IoT only supports BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). It does not support Classic Bluetooth. The DIYables Bluetooth App supports both BLE and Classic Bluetooth on Android, and BLE on iOS. Since this board uses BLE, the app works on both Android and iOS.
Features
- Analog Gauge Display: Beautiful dial-style gauge on smartphone
- Configurable Range: Set minimum and maximum values
- Custom Unit: Display km/h, RPM, PSI, or any custom unit
- Fast Updates: Up to 5 updates per second (200ms interval)
- On-Demand Request: App can request current value
- Works on Android & iOS: BLE is supported on both platforms
- No Pairing Required: BLE auto-connects without manual pairing
Hardware Preparation
Or you can buy the following kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .
Arduino Nano 33 IoT Code
Detailed Instructions
Follow these instructions step by step:
- If this is your first time using the Arduino Nano 33 IoT, refer to the Arduino Nano 33 IoT getting started guide.
- Connect the Arduino Nano 33 IoT board to your computer using a Micro USB cable.
- Launch the Arduino IDE on your computer.
- Select Arduino Nano 33 IoT board and the appropriate COM port.
- Navigate to the Libraries icon on the left bar of the Arduino IDE.
- Search "DIYables Bluetooth", then find the DIYables Bluetooth library by DIYables
- Click Install button to install the library.
- You will be asked for installing some other library dependencies
- Click Install All button to install all library dependencies.
BLE Code
- On Arduino IDE, Go to File Examples DIYables Bluetooth ArduinoBLE_AnalogGauge example, or copy the above code and paste it to the editor of Arduino IDE
/*
* DIYables Bluetooth Library - Bluetooth Analog Gauge Example
* Works with DIYables Bluetooth STEM app on Android and iOS
*
* This example demonstrates the Bluetooth Analog Gauge feature:
* - Display values on an analog meter/gauge
* - Configurable range and unit
* - Perfect for sensor monitoring (speed, pressure, voltage, etc.)
*
* Compatible Boards:
* - Arduino UNO R4 WiFi
* - Arduino Nano 33 BLE / BLE Sense
* - Arduino Nano 33 IoT
* - Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
* - Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
* - Any board supporting the ArduinoBLE library
*
* Optional: Analog sensor (potentiometer, pressure sensor, etc.)
*
* Setup:
* 1. Upload the sketch to your Arduino
* 2. Open Serial Monitor to see connection status
* 3. Use DIYables Bluetooth App to connect and view the gauge
*
* Tutorial: https://diyables.io/bluetooth-app
* Author: DIYables
*/
#include <DIYables_BluetoothServer.h>
#include <DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge.h>
#include <platforms/DIYables_ArduinoBLE.h>
// BLE Configuration
const char* DEVICE_NAME = "Arduino_Gauge";
const char* SERVICE_UUID = "19B10000-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214";
const char* TX_UUID = "19B10001-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214";
const char* RX_UUID = "19B10002-E8F2-537E-4F6C-D104768A1214";
// Create Bluetooth instances
DIYables_ArduinoBLE bluetooth(DEVICE_NAME, SERVICE_UUID, TX_UUID, RX_UUID);
DIYables_BluetoothServer bluetoothServer(bluetooth);
// Create Analog Gauge app instance (min=0, max=100, unit="km/h")
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(0.0, 100.0, "km/h");
// Variables for gauge value
float currentValue = 0.0;
unsigned long lastUpdate = 0;
const unsigned long UPDATE_INTERVAL = 200; // Update every 200ms
// Optional: Analog input pin for sensor
const int ANALOG_PIN = A0;
// Function to read sensor value
float readSensorValue() {
// TODO: Replace with actual sensor reading
// Examples:
// - Pressure sensor: readPressure()
// - Voltage sensor: analogRead(A0) * (5.0 / 1023.0)
// - Speed sensor: calculateSpeed()
// Option 1: Read from analog pin and map to gauge range
// int rawValue = analogRead(ANALOG_PIN);
// return map(rawValue, 0, 1023, 0, 100);
// Option 2: Simulated data (sine wave)
static float phase = 0;
phase += 0.05;
if (phase > 2 * PI) phase = 0;
return 50 + 50 * sin(phase); // Oscillates between 0-100
}
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
while (!Serial);
Serial.println("DIYables Bluetooth - Analog Gauge Example");
// Optional: Initialize analog pin
// pinMode(ANALOG_PIN, INPUT);
// Initialize Bluetooth server with platform-specific implementation
bluetoothServer.begin();
// Add gauge app to server
bluetoothServer.addApp(&bluetoothGauge);
// Set up connection event callbacks
bluetoothServer.setOnConnected([]() {
Serial.println("Bluetooth connected!");
// Send initial value
currentValue = readSensorValue();
bluetoothGauge.send(currentValue);
Serial.print("Initial value sent: ");
Serial.print(currentValue);
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.println(bluetoothGauge.getUnit());
});
bluetoothServer.setOnDisconnected([]() {
Serial.println("Bluetooth disconnected!");
});
// Optional: Handle requests for current value
bluetoothGauge.onValueRequest([]() {
currentValue = readSensorValue();
bluetoothGauge.send(currentValue);
Serial.print("Value requested - Sent: ");
Serial.print(currentValue);
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.println(bluetoothGauge.getUnit());
});
// You can change gauge configuration at runtime:
// bluetoothGauge.setRange(0.0, 200.0); // Change range to 0-200
// bluetoothGauge.setUnit("mph"); // Change unit to mph
// bluetoothGauge.setRange(0.0, 5.0); // For voltage (0-5V)
// bluetoothGauge.setUnit("V");
Serial.println("Waiting for Bluetooth connection...");
Serial.print("Gauge range: ");
Serial.print(bluetoothGauge.getMin());
Serial.print(" - ");
Serial.print(bluetoothGauge.getMax());
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.println(bluetoothGauge.getUnit());
}
void loop() {
// Handle Bluetooth server communications
bluetoothServer.loop();
// Send gauge updates periodically (only when connected)
if (bluetooth.isConnected() && millis() - lastUpdate >= UPDATE_INTERVAL) {
lastUpdate = millis();
// Read sensor value
currentValue = readSensorValue();
// Send to Bluetooth app
bluetoothGauge.send(currentValue);
// Print to Serial Monitor
Serial.print("Gauge: ");
Serial.print(currentValue, 1);
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.println(bluetoothGauge.getUnit());
}
delay(10);
}
- Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino Nano 33 IoT
- Open the Serial Monitor
- Check out the result on Serial Monitor. It looks like the below:
COM6
DIYables Bluetooth - Analog Gauge Example
Waiting for Bluetooth connection...
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
Mobile App
Note: The DIYables Bluetooth App supports both BLE and Classic Bluetooth on Android, and BLE on iOS. Since the Arduino Nano 33 IoT uses BLE, the app works on both Android and iOS. No manual pairing is needed for BLE — just scan and connect.
- Open the DIYables Bluetooth App
- When opening the app for the first time, it will ask for permissions. Please grant the following:
- Nearby Devices permission (Android 12+) / Bluetooth permission (iOS) - required to scan and connect to Bluetooth devices
- Location permission (Android 11 and below only) - required by older Android versions to scan for BLE devices
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone
- On the home screen, tap the Connect button. The app will scan for BLE devices.
- Find and tap "Arduino_Gauge" in the scan results to connect.
- If not found, please update the firmware for the Bluetooth module following this guide on How to Upgrade the Firmware on Arduino Nano 33 IoT
- Once connected, the app automatically goes back to the home screen. Select the Analog Gauge app from the app menu.
Note: You can tap the settings icon on the home screen to hide/show apps on the home screen. For more details, see the DIYables Bluetooth App User Manual.
- You will see an analog gauge displaying values with a smooth needle movement, simulating a speedometer
Now look back at the Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE. You will see:
COM6
Bluetooth connected!
Gauge value: 50.00 km/h
Gauge value: 59.76 km/h
Gauge value: 68.78 km/h
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
Creative Customization - Adapt the Code to Your Project
Configure Gauge Range and Unit
// Speedometer: 0-200 km/h
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 200.0, "km/h");
// Pressure gauge: 0-100 PSI
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 100.0, "PSI");
// RPM gauge: 0-8000 RPM
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 8000.0, "RPM");
// Percentage: 0-100%
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 100.0, "%");
Send Gauge Values
// Send a value to the gauge
bluetoothGauge.send(75.5);
// Read from sensor and send
float sensorValue = analogRead(A0) * (100.0 / 1023.0);
bluetoothGauge.send(sensorValue);
Handle Value Requests
bluetoothGauge.onValueRequest([]() {
float value = readSensor();
bluetoothGauge.send(value);
Serial.print("Requested: ");
Serial.println(value);
});
Programming Examples
Potentiometer Gauge
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 100.0, "%");
void loop() {
bluetoothServer.loop();
static unsigned long lastTime = 0;
if (millis() - lastTime >= 200) {
lastTime = millis();
float percent = analogRead(A0) * (100.0 / 1023.0);
bluetoothGauge.send(percent);
}
}
Battery Level Monitor
DIYables_BluetoothAnalogGauge bluetoothGauge(bluetoothServer, 0.0, 100.0, "%");
float readBatteryLevel() {
float voltage = analogRead(A0) * (5.0 / 1023.0) * 2; // voltage divider
float percent = map(voltage * 100, 300, 420, 0, 100);
return constrain(percent, 0, 100);
}
void loop() {
bluetoothServer.loop();
static unsigned long lastTime = 0;
if (millis() - lastTime >= 1000) {
lastTime = millis();
bluetoothGauge.send(readBatteryLevel());
}
}
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
1. Cannot find the device in the app
- Make sure the Arduino Nano 33 IoT is powered on and the sketch is uploaded
- Ensure your phone's Bluetooth is enabled
- On Android 11 and below, also enable Location services
2. Gauge not updating
- Check that send() is being called in the loop
- Verify the update interval timing
- Ensure bluetoothServer.loop() is called
3. Gauge shows wrong range
- Check the min/max values in the constructor
- Make sure the unit string is correct
- Values outside the range will be clamped
4. Needle jumps erratically
- Add smoothing or averaging to sensor readings
- Reduce update frequency if needed
- Check for noisy analog inputs
5. Upload fails or board not recognized
- Install the latest Arduino SAMD Boards package via Boards Manager (≥ 1.8.13)
- Try a different USB cable or port
Project Ideas
- Speedometer for RC car
- Pressure gauge for pneumatic systems
- Battery level indicator
- RPM gauge for motors
- Signal strength meter
Next Steps
After mastering the Bluetooth Analog Gauge example, try:
- Bluetooth Temperature - For temperature-specific gauge
- Bluetooth Plotter - For data over time
- Bluetooth Slider - For setting values back to Arduino
- Multiple Bluetooth Apps - Combining gauge with other apps
Support
For additional help:
- Check the API Reference documentation
- Visit DIYables tutorials
- Arduino community forums