Getting Started with the Bento Bio app

The Bento Bio app lets you connect to your Bento Lab with your phone. You can create and manage thermocycler profiles, install software updates, and monitor your experiments.

Beta notice

The app is currently in beta mode, meaning it’s being tested and improved. You may notice occasional bugs or odd behavior. If you see anything unusual, please email us at [email protected] — we are really grateful for your feedback!

Is my Bento Lab compatible?

Before using the app, check your Bento Lab model. Your Bento Lab must be start with v1.4 (with bluetooth) to be compatible with the app.

If you received the unit before November 2025, you may need to update your Bento Lab to use the app. You can follow the instructions in the Bento Lab manual to update the firmware using Bluetooth.

Install the Bento Bio app

For Android users: 

Install the app directly from Google Play here

For iOS users: 

Install the app using TestFlight (for beta testing apps)

  1. Install the TestFlight app from the App Store here 
  2. Once the app is installed, click the invitation link here again
  3. TestFlight will open directly with the Bento Bio app. Click Accept and the app will install.
    Note: When you open TestFlight, it asks for a redeem code. Instead, you can click the invitation link here to install the Bento Bio app.

Home Screen Overview

When you open the app, the home screen is divided into two main sections:

  1. Devices
    • Here you’ll see any connected Bento devices.
    • If none are connected yet, tap “No devices. Add your first Bento device” to connect one.
  2. More (the four main buttons):
    • Thermocycler Profiles – Create, view, and manage PCR profiles for your Bento device.
    • Bento Bio – Visit our website for resources, guides, and updates.
    • Feedback – Share your thoughts or report issues directly from the app.
    • Support – Get help and troubleshooting guidance.

Adding a Device

To get started, you’ll need to connect your Bento Lab to the app.

1. Turn On Bluetooth (if needed)

Before connecting, check if Bluetooth is already enabled on your Bento Lab:

  • Look at the top-left corner of the home screen.
  • If you see a grey link icon, Bluetooth is already on and your device is ready to connect.

If the grey link icon isn’t visible:

  1. Press the blue Home button to open the main menu.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Select the Bluetooth (phone) icon on the left.
  4. On the App Connect page, turn Bluetooth on.
  5. Return to the home screen → the grey link icon should now appear.

2. Connect Your Device to the App

  1. Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is turned on.
  2. On the app home screen, tap “No devices. Add your first Bento device.”
  3. The app will search for nearby Bento devices via Bluetooth.
  4. Select your Bento Lab from the list when it appears.
  5. Once connected, your device will appear under Devices on the home screen, ready to use with your thermocycler profiles.

Managing Devices

Once your Bento Lab is connected, it will appear on the Devices screen as a clickable item. Tap your device to see four main options:

  1. Thermocycler Profiles on Device
    • Shows the programs saved directly on your Bento Lab.
    • These are stored on the device itself, so you can access them even without your phone.
  2. New Thermocycler Profile
    • Create a new thermocycler program from the app.
    • You can choose to save the profile either to your phone or directly to your Bento Lab.
    • Saving to the Bento Lab makes it available offline, stored on the device rather than just in the app.
  3. Settings
    • Rename your Bento Lab using the Edit icon.
    • View your device information, including type, serial number, and software version.
    • Remove the device from the app if needed.
  4. Manual
    • Opens the online copy of the Bento Lab user manual for reference.

Using Thermocycler Profiles

The Thermocycler Profiles section lets you create and manage programs for your Bento device.

1. Opening Saved Profiles

  • Tap Thermocycler Profiles on the home screen.
  • You’ll see any profiles you’ve already saved, or you can create a new one.

2. Creating a New Profile

  • Tap the ➕ button at the bottom-right corner.
  • Choose between:
    • PCR profile – for setting up a full PCR program.
    • Heat block profile – for simple heating/cooling steps.

3. Editing Profiles

  • Tap on any step to adjust its settings.
  • To add a new step, tap on an existing step and press the ➕ icon — this duplicates the step, and you can then edit it as needed.
  • To change the number of cycles, tap the dotted-line box and edit the cycle count.
  • To include or exclude steps from a cycle, drag the dotted-line box up or down until it covers the steps you want.
  • Drag and drop steps to reorder them.
  • To set touchdown, tap the downwards arrow on the right-hand side of a step.
  • To exit editing, tap anywhere in the white area outside the steps.

4. Saving Profiles

  • Tap the save icon (bottom-right) to Save to Phone. You’ll be asked to give the profile a name.
  • Alternatively, tap on the profile name at the top to rename it — this also prompts you to save.
  • Once saved, your profiles will be ready to run with your connected device.

5. Managing Saved Profiles

  • On the Thermocycler Profiles page, you’ll see a list of your saved profiles.
  • Tap the three dots on the right-hand side of a profile to open management options:
    • Open – load and edit the profile.
    • Rename – give the profile a new name.
    • Copy to Device – saves the program directly onto the Bento Lab, so you can run it without using the app.
    • Duplicate – creates a copy of the profile.
    • Delete – permanently removes the profile from your phone.

6. Running Profiles

  • You need to be connected to a Bento Lab device to run a profile.
  • If no device is connected, the Play button (bottom-right corner) will appear greyed out.
  • Once a device is connected, tap the Play button. A screen will appear titled “Run Thermocycler.”
  • You’ll be asked to select the device you want to run the program on (if more than one is connected, you can choose which to use).
  • After selecting the device, tap Run to start, or Cancel to go back.
  • The program will begin, showing progress in the app. The device lid will also start heating automatically.

7. Cancelling a Run

  • If you want to stop a run in progress, tap the big red ❌ button at the bottom-right corner.
  • A confirmation message will appear: “Cancel Thermocycler Profile?”
  • Tap Confirm to stop the run, or Cancel to continue running.

Need help?

If you have any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us.