ZeroTrace HID
Companion Desktop App
Manage ZeroTrace devices over USB serial from Windows, macOS, or Linux
The Companion app is the cross-platform desktop wrapper for serial-port management — device pairing, firmware updates, terminal access, and live status. It complements the in-device web UI; you don't need both, but most operators run both.
Use the Companion app when you want:
- A native window instead of a browser tab
- Direct serial-terminal access for low-level commands
- Firmware update flow with a progress bar instead of the Web Flasher
- Multi-device dashboards on machines that aren't on the device's WiFi
Download
| OS | File | Size | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows release | ~11.5 MB | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) |
| macOS | macOS release | ~5 MB | Intel & Apple Silicon |
| Linux | Linux release | ~10 MB | Tested Ubuntu 20.04+ (64-bit) |
Source and release notes: github.com/ZeroTracePW/desktop.
Install
- Download the Windows installer from the link above.
- Run the installer; SmartScreen warning is normal — click More info → Run anyway.
- Launch from the Start menu.
- CH343 USB-Serial driver is bundled.
Connect
- Plug the device's COM port into your computer with a USB-C data cable.
- Open the Companion app.
- Pick the device's serial port from the dropdown, click Connect.
The dashboard populates with firmware version, storage, WiFi state, and connectivity. Use the Terminal tab for direct CLI access.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Device not detected | Cable is charge-only — swap for a data cable. Confirm you're on COM, not USB. |
| Port busy / permission denied | Another process is holding the port (Web Flasher, another terminal). Close it. |
| Linux: no port listed | dmesg | tail should show the device. If not, replug. If yes, you're not in dialout — log out and back in after usermod. |
| Firmware update stuck | Don't unplug. ESP32-S3 flashing takes ~2 minutes; only retry if it sits idle for >5 minutes. |
The Companion app is also the Dashboard wrapper — a separate distribution at github.com/ZeroTracePW/zerotrace-dashboard-app brings the live dashboard.zerotrace.pw into a native shell for licensing, downloads, and policy usage.