Click Connect (Select the correct COM port. Windows: COM3/COM4; Mac: /dev/cu.usbmodem*).
The code is compiled and flashed directly into the microcontroller’s EEPROM chip. Once uploaded, the robot can run autonomously using an external battery pack, completely independent of the computer. Why Stick to Version 3.4.12?
Contains color-coded command blocks (e.g., Motion, Looks, Robots, Operators).
For the tinkerer with an old Arduino, the teacher with a budget-conscious IT department, or the parent wanting to introduce their child to actual engineering (not just screen-based games), finding a copy of mBlock 3.4.12 is like finding a classic tool in a shed—it doesn’t need an update; it just needs to work.
While there isn't one definitive "blog post" for mBlock 3.4.12 mblock 3.4.12
Drag out blocks like when green flag clicked and combine them with movement and motor blocks to bring your project to life. The Broader Educational Impact
Based on Scratch 2.0 open-source code and developed by Makeblock, mBlock 3.4.12 is a powerful graphical programming environment that serves as an essential bridge between digital logic and physical hardware, particularly for Makeblock robots like mBot . What is mBlock 3.4.12?
In mBlock 5, the "Forever" loop has latency due to the software interpreting Python in the background. In 3.4.12 (Upload mode), this loop runs at the microcontroller’s clock speed (16MHz). The response is instant.
Great for learning basic mechanical and electronic structures. Click Connect (Select the correct COM port
officially discontinued the web version of mBlock 3 due to the global retirement of Adobe Flash Today, while the PC version of 3.4.12
This is the biggest red flag. Makeblock no longer supports 3.4.12. It will never support Windows 11 perfectly, nor macOS beyond Catalina (32-bit support was dropped). If you encounter a bug, you are on your own.
[Visual Blocks] ---> [ mBlock 3.4.12 Engine ] ---> [ Arduino C Code ] ---> [ Hardware (mBot) ]
: The installer includes integrated drivers like the CH340. This simplifies the process of connecting Arduino boards to Windows and macOS systems. Supported Hardware Ecosystem Once uploaded, the robot can run autonomously using
If the COM port does not appear under the Connect menu, the operating system cannot communicate with the hardware's USB-to-Serial chip.
Despite being legacy software, mBlock 3.4.12 is still utilized in specific scenarios today:
Because it is offline, it is not subject to internet connectivity issues during class.