Microscope Setup Help

How to connect a USB microscope to your phone, tablet or computer. Follow the steps in order.

Important — which devices work:
✅ Works in this web app: iPad with a USB-C port (iPadOS 17 or newer, in Safari), Chromebooks, and Windows or Mac computers (Chrome, Edge or Safari).
⚠️ Most Android phones and tablets: the Chrome browser on Android cannot see USB cameras on most models. For Android you need the Microscope Android app from Malby Enterprises (coming soon). A few Android tablets do show the microscope in Chrome — try step 5 to find out.
No extra "bridge" app is needed or recommended.

What you need

  1. A powered USB microscope (it has its own LED lights and a light dial).
  2. An adapter to fit your device: a USB-C OTG adapter (USB-A socket to USB-C plug), or a USB-C hub. If the microscope flickers or turns off, use a powered hub (one with its own charger).
  3. A phone, tablet or computer that supports USB OTG / USB host (almost all USB-C tablets and computers do).

Step 1 — Plug in

  1. Plug the microscope into the adapter or hub.
  2. Plug the adapter into your phone, tablet or computer.
  3. Check the microscope's LED lights turn on. Turn the light dial up if needed.

Step 2 — Allow the USB device (Android app only)

  1. A message appears: "Allow Microscope to access USB device?"
  2. Tick "Use by default for this USB device" so it won't ask every time.
  3. Tap OK.

You will not see this message in the web app on iPad or a computer. That is normal.

Step 3 — Allow the camera

  1. Open Microscope and tap the big 📷 Start camera button.
  2. When asked "Use your camera?", tap Allow (or "Allow while visiting the site").
  3. If you tapped Block by mistake: tap the lock icon next to the web address, choose Permissions → Camera → Allow, then reload the page. On iPad: Settings → Safari → Camera → Allow.

Step 4 — Choose the microscope

  1. Scroll to Camera. The microscope is marked 🔬 (USB / external).
  2. Usually it is picked for you. If not, tap the camera list and choose the 🔬 one.
  3. The app remembers your choice next time.

Step 5 — If the microscope doesn't appear

  1. Unplug the microscope, wait 5 seconds, and plug it back in.
  2. Tap 🔄 Refresh cameras.
  3. Fully close the app (swipe it away from recent apps) and open it again.
  4. Check the microscope LED is on. If not, it isn't getting power: use a powered hub.
  5. Try a different cable or adapter. Some cheap adapters only charge.
  6. Check your device supports USB OTG (search your model name + "OTG").
  7. Android phone and still nothing? Chrome on that phone can't see USB cameras. Use the Microscope Android app, or an iPad or computer.

Questions? Email mail@malby.us — Malby Enterprises LLC

Printable setup guide (PDF)

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