Customize Wi-Fi Setup Application for Raspberry Pi

R2026b

Use manual deployment to deploy the Wi-Fi® application to Raspberry Pi® in a step-by-step process. This method generates the application code, inspects and modifies files, and applies customization or security logic before deploying the application to Raspberry Pi.

Wi-Fi Setup Application Files

The generator.generate function generate a complete set of files and directories that Raspberry Pi uses to host a hotspot and a browser-based configuration portal for Wi-Fi setup. The generator creates a web app, user interface assets, persistent services, and helper scripts in s a structured folder to deploy the package.

Use the generated file and folder structure to manually edit application parameters before deployment.

Generated application package folder structure showing web app files, UI assets, service files, and setup scripts

Transfer Application Files to Raspberry Pi

Package the application directory, transfer it to Raspberry Pi, and extract the files on the hardware.

% Compress the application
tar('myWifiApp.tar','myWifiApp');
gzip('myWifiApp.tar');

% Transfer to Raspberry Pi
putFile(mypi,'myWifiApp.tar.gz','myWifiApp.tar.gz');

% Extract on Raspberry Pi
system(mypi,'tar -xvzf myWifiApp.tar.gz');

Install Application Files and Dependencies

Create the target installation directory and move the application files.

% Create application directory
system(mypi,'sudo mkdir -p /opt/WifiProvisionApp');

% Move application files
system(mypi,'sudo mv myWifiApp /opt/WifiProvisionApp/');

Run the installation script to install system dependencies.

system(mypi,'sudo bash /opt/WifiProvisionApp/myWifiApp/install_dependencies.sh');

Configure OS-Specific Network Settings

Configure DHCP behavior and network interface for Raspberry Pi operating system Bullseye or earlier.

system(mypi,'sudo bash /opt/WifiProvisionApp/myWifiApp/update_dhcpcd_conf.sh');

Enable and Start System Services

Enable and start persistent services that manage the hotspot and web application.

% Enable access point service
system(mypi,'sudo systemctl enable /opt/WifiProvisionApp/myWifiApp/
my_create_ap.service');
system(mypi,'sudo systemctl start my_create_ap.service');

% Enable web application service
system(mypi,'sudo systemctl enable /opt/WifiProvisionApp/myWifiApp/
my_wifi_app.service');
system(mypi,'sudo systemctl start my_wifi_app.service');

Application Structure and Customization

Manual deployment lets you inspect, customize, and control the full application structure before deployment the application to Raspberry Pi.

Web Application (myWifiApp.py)

The Flask-based Python® web application manages the end-to-end Wi-Fi setup process. The application scans for available networks, accepts SSID and password input, initiates and monitors the connection to the selected network, and automatically shuts down the access point after successful connection to the target Wi-Fi network.

The application runs on port 80 and serves the configuration interface at http://192.168.12.1. It uses nmcli to discover nearby Wi-Fi networks and manage wireless connections on Raspberry Pi. The application validates user‑provided credentials, securely processes the input, and provides real‑time feedback in the browser during each stage of the connection attempt.

Web Interface (templates/index.html)

Configure Wi-Fi through a browser using the materialize.css file. This table lists the key user interface elements you can customize to configure network selection, specify credentials, and connection feedback.

UI ElementDescription
HeaderDisplays the application name and logo
Network SelectorShows a dropdown list of detected Wi-Fi networks
Password InputAccepts the Wi-Fi password securely
SubmitButton to initiate the Wi-Fi connection
Status MessagesThe output displays progress messages and confirms when the process completes successfully.

Application Branding and Access

This table lists the configuration parameters you can adjust to control application identity, brand, and hotspot behavior before you deploy.

ParameterPurpose
NameApplication name and directory
LogoBranding image displayed in the UI
AccessPointNameHotspot SSID
AccessPointPasswordHotspot password
% Custom branding
generator = matlab.raspi.wifiSetup(...
                                   Name="SmartHome", ...
                                   Logo="company_logo.png", ...
                                   AccessPointName="SmartHome-Setup", ...
                                   AccessPointPassword="SecurePass123");

Service Files

By default, the hotspot and web application start when the hardware reboots. To inspect, modify, or extend startup behavior when needed, modify these service files.

  • my_create_ap.service — Manage Wi-Fi access point

    • Creates the virtual interface ap0

    • Configures the hotspot SSID and password

    • Restarts automatically on failure

    • Runs at system boot

  • my_wifi_app.service — Manage web application

    • Starts the Flask application on boot

    • Restarts automatically on failure

    • Runs with required root privileges for network configuration

Installation Scripts

The generated files includes scripts that install required packages and configure networking for access point operation for the application: install_dependencies.sh and update_dhcpcd_conf.sh respectively. You can modify these scripts as needed.

  • install_dependencies.sh

    Installed ComponentDescription
    hostapdAccess point daemon
    dnsmasqDNS/DHCP server
    iptablesFirewall and NAT configuration
    havegedEntropy generation
    linux-wifi-hotspotcreate_ap utility

  • update_dhcpcd_conf.sh

    • DHCP client daemon for ap0 interface

    • Disables wpa_supplicant hook for access point -specific networking and suppresses conflicting network services

After you deploy the Wi-Fi app to the Raspberry Pi hardware, activate the services by rebooting the hardware. You can then continue the setup workflow as described in Reboot Raspberry Pi to Activate Services.

See Also