Similar in function to devices like the PirateBox, LibraryBox, BibleBox and Lightstream Pocket, the MicroPi exploits the tiny RaspberryPi Zero W microcomputer. It operates as a portable website, permitting the sharing of files with WiFi enabled devices in places not served by the internet.
Internationally available, the RaspberryPi Zero W includes everything required for this function. Its memory, a class 10 micro-SD flash memory card, is available in sizes ranging from 8GB to 512GB, enabling an enormous quantity of material to be shared by this tiny device.
About half the size of a credit card, the device can be loaded with text, audio, video, smartphone apps, images, or any other digital file. A common use case would be to provide a WiFi server in a school, coffee house or church. The addition of a powerbank style battery provides autonomy for portable use.
It can be used in two modes.
Standalone WiFi server
Network Multimedia Server
This website provides information about how to build and deploy a MicroPi. Follow the links below, or use the navigation menu at the upper left.
With the addition of a screen, Kiosk Mode allows the MicroPi to display videos contained in its memory as a way of promoting their availability.
The MicroPi firmware available on this site has been tested for function with five versions of Raspberry Pi devices:
Raspberry Pi Zero W
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, any RAM size
Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Raspberry Pi 5 (requires firmware RPZWBB20250605 or later versions)
The RP 400 has been tested by others and seems to run successfully. The Raspberry Pi 500 works with RPZWBB20250605 and later.