You have three ways to control a Pixoo-64: the official Divoom app for zero-code creativity, a local HTTP API for developers who want direct device control, and a growing ecosystem of community tools — Python libraries, Home Assistant integrations, and IFTTT automations — that sit somewhere in between. Each path suits different goals and skill levels, and they're not mutually exclusive. You might start with the app, add a Python script later, and eventually wire your display into a smart home dashboard.
This guide walks through all three methods, explains who each one is for, and helps you pick the right starting point. If you're a complete beginner, the app path is all you need. If you're a developer or smart home enthusiast, skip ahead to the sections that match your setup.
A hands-on look at connecting the Pixoo 64 to Home Assistant for smart home control.
Three Paths at a Glance
Before diving into each method, here's a quick comparison to help you self-sort. Most readers will land on one path immediately, but it's worth scanning all three — you might discover an option you didn't know existed.
| Method | Divoom App | Local HTTP API | Community Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Pixel art, gallery, widgets, social counters | Custom scripts, data dashboards, automation | Smart home, event automation, Python |
| Skill level | None required | Developer (networking basics) | No-code to developer |
| Official support | Yes | Community only | Community only |
| Setup time | 5–10 minutes | 30–60 minutes | 15–45 minutes |
The "Official Support" column matters. The Divoom app is the only path backed by Divoom directly. The local API and community tools are built by independent developers who reverse-engineered the communication protocol between the app and the display. They work well — often brilliantly — but firmware updates can occasionally change how the device responds to custom requests.
The Divoom App: Your Zero-Code Starting Point
The Divoom app is the default control method for good reason. It connects to the Pixoo-64 via Bluetooth for quick edits and WiFi for cloud features, and it gives you access to everything the display can do without writing a single line of code.
Inside the app, you'll find a pixel art editor with templates, a community gallery with millions of user-created designs, customizable clock faces, weather widgets, and real-time social media follower counters for YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram. You can create animations, schedule content, and manage multiple devices from the same account.
Who the app is for
Everyone. If you just unboxed your Pixoo-64 and want to start creating pixel art, displaying photos, or tracking your social media following, the app handles all of it. It's also the path Divoom actively supports and updates, so if something goes wrong, you have a direct channel for help.
When the app isn't enough
The app becomes limiting when you need automation. Say you want your Pixoo-64 to display your current Spotify album art automatically, show your CI/CD pipeline status, update with live stock prices, or react to smart home sensor data. These use cases need something beyond manual app interaction — and that's where the other two paths come in.
Setup tip
Download the Divoom app from the App Store or Google Play before you start exploring the API paths below. Even developers use the app for initial WiFi setup and device discovery.
The Local API Path: For Developers
The Pixoo-64 communicates with the Divoom app over your local WiFi network using HTTP requests. Developers in the community have reverse-engineered this protocol, documenting the endpoints and payload formats needed to send pixel data, switch display channels, adjust brightness, and control animations directly — without the app as a middleman.
In practice, this means you can write a script on your computer, send an HTTP POST request to your Pixoo-64's IP address, and watch the display update in real time. The device needs to be connected to the same WiFi network as the machine sending the request.
What you can build
The local API opens up projects that the app alone can't handle:
- Custom pixel art animations driven by external data (weather, stocks, GitHub activity)
- Spotify now-playing album art displayed on your desk
- CI/CD build status indicators — green for passing, red for failing
- Notification systems that push alerts to the display
- Time-lapse pixel art generators or countdown timers for streaming
Key community tools for the local API
Two projects stand out as starting points for developers:
pixoo-rest is a RESTful API wrapper built on top of the pixoo Python library. It runs in Docker, includes a Swagger UI for testing endpoints, and handles image conversion automatically. If you want a ready-made HTTP server that sits between your scripts and the display, this is the fastest path.
pixoo (by SomethingWithComputers) is the most popular Python library for direct Pixoo-64 communication. It supports Python 3.12, includes a built-in REST interface, and provides automatic image conversion — so you can send any image file and the library handles the pixel art downsampling to 64x64.
Honest limitations
The local API is not an official Divoom product. It's community-maintained and reverse-engineered, which means:
- Firmware updates can change or temporarily block API access. Community members have reported that some newer firmware versions changed which network ports are open.
- You need to find your Pixoo-64's IP address on your local network (your router's admin panel or the Divoom app's device info screen can help).
- There's no official Divoom support channel for API-related issues — GitHub repo issue trackers and the r/Divoom subreddit are your best resources.
- Protocol behavior may vary between the original Pixoo-64 and the newer Pixoo-64 II model.
Before diving into the local API, check your firmware version. If local access doesn't work on your device, the community repos on GitHub often have open issues discussing firmware-specific workarounds.
Community Tools and Integrations
Beyond the raw local API, the developer community has built a rich ecosystem of tools that wrap the protocol into more accessible packages. These range from Python libraries for scripting to full smart home platform integrations.
Python libraries
If you're comfortable with Python, several libraries on PyPI make Pixoo-64 control straightforward:
| Library | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| pixoo | Full-featured: image conversion, REST interface, animation support | Most developers starting out |
| APIxoo | Server API wrapper for the Divoom cloud | Cloud-based automation |
| pixoo-api | Canvas manipulation methods | Low-level pixel control |
| Pixoo64 Advanced Tools | Enhanced toolset with advanced functionalities | Power users wanting extra features |
The pixoo library is the most widely used starting point. Install it with pip, connect to your device's IP, and you're sending pixel data in minutes. The library handles the tedious work of converting full-color images into 64x64 pixel art, so you can focus on what you want to display rather than how to format the data.
Smart home integrations
If your goal is to wire the Pixoo-64 into a broader smart home setup rather than write custom scripts, several platforms already have community-built integrations:
Home Assistant is the most active integration. Using the pixoo-rest library as a bridge, you can display sensor data, notifications, calendar events, and custom pixel art triggered by Home Assistant automations. Imagine your Pixoo-64 switching to a rain animation when your weather sensor detects precipitation, or showing a "meeting in 5 minutes" alert pulled from your Google Calendar.
Homey has a dedicated Pixoo64 app in its smart home platform, offering similar automation capabilities for Homey users.
IFTTT connects the Pixoo-64 to over 1,000 services for event-driven automation. No coding required — you set up triggers (new email, motion detected, Instagram post) and actions (display specific content on the Pixoo-64) through IFTTT's visual interface.
Lumia Stream is worth mentioning for streamers and content creators. It controls the Pixoo-64 for streaming overlays, chat alerts, and follower notifications during live broadcasts.
How to Choose Your Path
The three paths aren't competing — they're layers. Most engaged Pixoo-64 users end up combining the app with at least one other method. But if you're just getting started, here's how to pick your entry point.
Start with the Divoom App if:
- You want to create pixel art, browse the community gallery, or set up widgets and clock faces
- You don't want to deal with IP addresses, terminal commands, or configuration files
- You need official support and guaranteed stability
Go with the Local API if:
- You want to build custom scripts that push data to the display automatically
- You're comfortable with Python, HTTP requests, and basic networking
- You're building something specific — a dashboard, visualizer, or notification system
Choose Community Tools if:
- You already use Home Assistant, Homey, or IFTTT and want to add the Pixoo-64 to your existing automations
- You want automation without writing code from scratch (IFTTT's visual interface handles this)
- You're a streamer looking for live overlay integration
If you're still unsure, start with the app. It's the fastest way to see what the Pixoo-64 can do, and it gives you a foundation to build on. The API and community tools are always there when you're ready to go deeper.
Your First Step on Each Path
App path: connect and explore
Download the Divoom app, connect to your Pixoo-64 via Bluetooth, and spend ten minutes browsing the community gallery. You'll find thousands of pixel art designs, clock faces, and animations that other users have created. Upload a few to your display to get a feel for what the 64x64 panel can show. For hardware setup questions, the product manual covers the physical connection and WiFi configuration.
API path: install and send your first frame
Install the pixoo Python library on your computer. Find your Pixoo-64's IP address (check your router's connected devices list or the app's device info). Run a simple script that sends a solid color to the display. Once that works, you've confirmed local API access — and you can start building more complex projects from there.
Smart home path: find your integration
If you use Home Assistant, search the community forums for the Pixoo-64 integration guide. The setup typically involves running the pixoo-rest Docker container and configuring your display's IP address in Home Assistant. For IFTTT, browse the available Pixoo-64 applets and connect a service you already use. Both paths have active communities ready to help with setup questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pixoo-64 API an official Divoom product?
No. The local HTTP API used by developers is community reverse-engineered, not officially documented or supported by Divoom. The official control method is the Divoom app. Community tools like the pixoo Python library, pixoo-rest, and various smart home integrations are maintained by independent developers. They work well, but firmware updates may occasionally change device behavior.
Can I use Python to control my Pixoo-64?
Yes. The most popular option is the pixoo Python library, available on PyPI. It supports Python 3.12, handles automatic image conversion to 64x64 pixel art, and includes a built-in REST interface. Other options include APIxoo (for cloud API access) and pixoo-api (for low-level canvas control). All are community-maintained.
Does the local API work on newer Pixoo-64 firmware?
It depends on the specific firmware version. Community reports indicate that some newer firmware versions have changed which network ports are open, which can affect local API access. Before relying on the API for a project, test basic connectivity with your current firmware. The GitHub repos for pixoo-rest and pixoo often have open issues discussing firmware-specific behavior and workarounds.
Can Home Assistant display data on my Pixoo-64?
Yes, through a community-maintained integration. The typical setup uses the pixoo-rest Docker container as a bridge between Home Assistant and the Pixoo-64. Once configured, you can trigger pixel art displays based on sensor data, calendar events, automations, and more. Check the Home Assistant community forums for the latest integration guide and compatibility notes.
Do I need to be a programmer to automate my Pixoo-64?
Not necessarily. IFTTT offers a visual interface for connecting the Pixoo-64 to over 1,000 services without writing code. You create "applets" that trigger display actions based on events like new emails, motion detection, or social media activity. Home Assistant also offers visual automation builders, though initial setup requires more technical knowledge. The Divoom app itself also supports scheduling and automated social media counters without any coding.
Where to Go Next
The Pixoo-64 is one of the most hackable pixel art displays on the market, thanks to its WiFi connectivity and the active developer community around it. Whether you stay with the app, write your first Python script, or wire it into your smart home, the display becomes more than a static decoration — it becomes a programmable canvas that responds to your world.
If you don't have a Pixoo-64 yet and want to see what the 64x64 panel looks like in a desk setup, explore the smart pixel display collection to compare models. If you already have one and just need help with the basics — WiFi setup, Bluetooth pairing, or app configuration — check the product manual for step-by-step guidance.
