TRMNL (OG)
The button on the back of the TRMNL (OG) device can serve many functions, but the most prominent is to force the device to refresh and advance to the next screen in your playlist.
Pressing the button wakes up your device and instructs it to connect to its server to fetch the next screen update.
This button has additional functions outlined in our special functions article.
TRMNL X
TRMNL X may be designed as an ambient dashboard device, but that doesn't mean you can't give it a little push (literally!) if you want to advance to the next screen in your playlist.
On firmware 1.8.18 and later, tap the center of the touchbar on the bottom to open the menu. The arrow starts on Next Screen, so tap the center again to get the next image. If the touchbar tutorial opens instead, finish it first: tap left, then center, then right, then tap anywhere. To see which firmware you have, look for Current firmware under Device Info in your device settings.
On earlier firmware, tap the center of the touchbar on the bottom to get the next image:
Touchbar Extra Functionality
TRMNL X will store recent screens in memory, allowing you to go "back" and "forward" through saved screens, no network request required.
Touchbar Mode
By default, TRMNL X devices ship in Tap mode. However, in your Device Settings > Controls you can change this gesture from tap to Swipe. Firmware 1.8.18 and later only supports Tap, so the setting no longer shows for those devices.
Touchbar Tap
Touching the left-side of the touchbar will go back to the previous screen.
Touching the right-side of the touchbar will go forward through saved screens.
Touchbar Swipe
On firmware before 1.8.18, you can swipe left to go back and swipe right to go forward.
Other Touchbar Functions
Recalibrating the Touchbar
If a "hold for 2s" feature like the Other Touchbar Functions above is triggering instantly, or any long-press function is treated like a quick press, these are signs you need to perform a re-calibration.
To recalibrate the touchbar, perform a soft reboot. Ensure you are not actively touching the touchbar during this process! The screen will flash a few times. Once completed, the touchbar will respond as expected.
Interference from Qi Wireless Charging
Reported by a user, Qi wireless charging fields, like used in numerous devices to charge mobile devices and wearables, can cause false triggering of the touchbar and may interfere with the magnetically-driven soft reset. Please do not place a TRMNL X within these fields, e.g a Logitech PowerPlay mousepad.
Have a TRMNL X? Our troubleshooter walks you through the most common problems in a couple of minutes.
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