Baofeng Walkie-Talkie Software Download: Drivers, Tools & Programming Guide
Essential Downloads for UV-5R, BF-888S, UV-32, UV-9R, DM-32UV and More
Welcome to the official Baofeng UK software hub. Here you can find all the necessary programming tools to customise your radio’s frequencies, channels, and settings. Whether you are unlocking the full potential of a UV-5R or configuring a commercial BF-888S, our resources ensure you stay connected.
Below, you will find our comprehensive step-by-step programming guide, followed by the specific download links for your radio model.
How to Programme Your Baofeng Radio: A Step-by-Step Guide
Programming your radio doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these four steps to ensure your radio is set up correctly on the first try.
1 Get the Right Hardware
Before downloading any files, ensure you have a USB programming cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.
⚠️ Important: Many connection issues stem from cheap, counterfeit cables that Windows refuses to recognise. We recommend the Official Baofeng PC03 USB Programming Cable — guaranteed to work with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
2 Install the Baofeng Programming Cable Drivers
Do not plug your cable in yet. First, download and install the correct drivers for your operating system.
If you plug the cable in and your computer does not recognise it, or you see a “Prolific” error in Device Manager, you need a USB driver fix. Download the Prolific PL2303 or CH340 drivers from the section below to resolve these errors.
💡 How to identify your driver: Plug in the cable, open Device Manager, look under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. If you see “Prolific” — install the Prolific driver. If you see “CH340” — install the CH340 driver. If you recently upgraded to Windows 11, consider upgrading to the Newest PC03 Programming Cable for guaranteed compatibility.
3 Choose Your Programming Method
You have three methods to programme your Baofeng radio. Choose the one that suits your setup:
- Best for model-specific OEM settings and factory unlocking
- Each model has its own dedicated CPS version
- Required for DM series DMR radios
- Windows 10 and Windows 11 only
- Free and open-source — best for beginners
- Works on Windows 10, 11 and macOS
- Clone channels between radios with ease
- Built-in UK repeater frequency database
- ⚠️ Use CHIRP-next — Legacy is no longer maintained
- Wireless Bluetooth programming from your smartphone
- No PC or USB cable required
- Available on iOS and Android
- Some models need the BT-A1D Adapter
📱 OLA Radio App — Bluetooth Programming Details
✔️ No Adapter Needed (Built-in Bluetooth)
- UV-5R Mini
- UV-32 GPS
- UV-28 Pro GPS
🔌 Requires BT-A1D Bluetooth Adapter
- UV-5R, UV-5RH, UV-5RH Pro, UV-5RM Plus
- BF-888S (UHF & PMR446), UV-K5 Plus
4 Read, Edit, and Write
Once your cable is connected and drivers are installed (or your Bluetooth adapter is paired):
- Open the software and click Read from Radio — this saves your current settings as a backup before making any changes.
- Enter your desired frequencies and sub-tones (CTCSS / DCS). UK users can load pre-set repeater frequencies directly within CHIRP-next.
- Click Write to Radio to upload the new settings to your device.
💡 UK Frequency Reminder: Always ensure any frequencies you transmit on are within your licence permissions. Visit the PMR446 licence-free guide if you need to operate without an Ofcom Amateur Radio Licence.
Software Download List
Select your radio series below to find the correct programming software and user manual download.
UV-6R
UV-B5
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How to Programme Baofeng UV-5R Series with Programming Software
Since the Baofeng UV-5R series share the same Factory CPS software and CHIRP-next supports most UV-5R models, this programming guide is a helpful reference for the following models:
Baofeng UV-5R Mini, UV-5RH, UV-5RH Pro, UV-5R+/UV-5R+ Plus, UV-5RA/UV-5RA+/UV-5RAX+, UV-5RAX (2M/1.25M), UV-5RE/UV-5RE Plus, GT-3, BF-F8/BF-F8+, BF-F9 and more.
Preparation Before Programming
1. Computer System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit) — Recommended. macOS supported via CHIRP-next or OLA Radio App.
- Hard Disk Space: At least 200 MB available
- Minimum RAM: 4 GB recommended
2. Programming Cable
- Option A — USB Cable (CH340 / Prolific): Install the correct driver before plugging in. Download the matching driver from the links above.
- Option B — FTDI Cable: No driver installation needed. Plug in and use directly. Works natively on macOS.
- Option C — Bluetooth (OLA App): Use the BT-A1D Bluetooth Adapter or a built-in Bluetooth model. No PC required.
🛍 Shop Official PC03 Programming Cable →
3. Software Download & Install
- Turn on your computer and confirm the system meets the requirements above.
- Download the Factory CPS for your model from the table above, or download CHIRP-next (free).
- Install the software before connecting your radio.
4. Connect Your Walkie-Talkie to the Computer
- Connect the USB end of the programming cable to your computer.
- Connect the other end to your walkie-talkie’s speaker/mic port.
- Once both ends are connected, turn on your radio. Ensure it has sufficient battery power during programming.
Baofeng UV-5R CHIRP-next Programming Process
Step-by-Step Guide:
1 Open CHIRP-next → Download From Radio
Open CHIRP-next (latest version). Click Download From Radio under the “Radio” menu. This reads and backs up your current radio settings before any changes are made.
2 Select COM Port, Vendor & Model
Select the corresponding cable driver port (COM port). Under Vendor, select Baofeng. Under Model, select UV-5RX (or your specific model). Click OK to read the radio.
💡 Model Selection Tip: For UV-5RM Plus → select UV-5RM. For UV-K5 Plus → select UV-K5. Always match the exact model to avoid data transfer errors.
3 Edit Channels in the Memories Tab
You will arrive at the Memories page. Here you can adjust: Channel number, TX Frequency, RX Frequency, CTCSS/DCS sub-tones, High/Low Power, and Wide/Narrow Band settings.
4 Adjust Settings
Switch to the Settings tab to adjust global radio parameters: VOX Function, Squelch level, Backlight, DTMF, FM Radio, Voice Prompt, Scanning mode, VFO Mode and more.
5 Upload to Radio
Once all edits are complete, click Upload To Radio under the “Radio” menu to write all settings to the device. Reboot your radio to apply all changes.
✔️ Tip: Save your CHIRP configuration file (.img) to your computer as a backup. You can reload it later or clone it to another compatible radio of the same model.
UV-5R Factory Software Programming Process
1 Open Software & Select COM Port
Download and open the Factory CPS software for your model. Click “Communication” and choose your COM Port, then click the Confirm button.
2 Read Data from Radio
Click the Read button, then click Read again in the pop-up dialogue to download the current settings from your radio. Do not disconnect the cable during this step.
3 Edit Channel Parameters
You will arrive at the Channel Parameters page. Adjust: Channel number, TX/RX Frequency, CTCSS/DCS tones, High/Low Power, and Wide/Narrow Band settings as required.
4 Configure Optional Features
Click “Edit” → “Optional Features”. A pop-up window will appear where you can adjust: VOX Function, Squelch, Backlight, DTMF, FM Radio, Voice Prompt, Scanning, and VFO Mode.
5 Configure DTMF (Optional)
To configure DTMF functions (for selective calling or repeater access tones), click “Edit” → “DTMF” to open the DTMF configuration page.
6 Write Settings to Radio
Click the Write button, then click Write again on the confirmation pop-up to upload all settings to your radio. Reboot your radio after writing is complete to apply all changes.
Frequently Asked Questions & Common Issues
The most common cause is a missing or outdated USB driver. Follow these steps:
- Do not plug your cable in yet.
- Download and install either the Prolific PL2303 or CH340 driver from the links on this page.
- Plug in your cable. Open Device Manager and confirm it appears under “Ports (COM & LPT)”.
- If you see a “Prolific error”, your cable may be counterfeit. Upgrade to the Official PC03 Programming Cable, guaranteed to work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
For most users, we recommend CHIRP-next.
- ✔️ CHIRP-next — best for beginners, cloning channels between radios, UK repeater data, and macOS support.
- ✔️ Factory CPS — for model-specific unlocking, GPS settings (e.g. UV-5RH Pro, UV-32, UV-28 Pro), and DM series DMR programming.
- ✔️ OLA Radio App — for Bluetooth-enabled models or with the BT-A1D adapter. No PC needed.
Yes. The software and drivers on this page are compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. However, Windows 11 applies stricter driver signing requirements. If your cable is old or a cheap copy, it may not connect reliably. We recommend upgrading to the Newest PC03 Programming Cable for guaranteed Windows 11 compatibility.
Yes! The free OLA Radio App allows wireless Bluetooth programming — no PC or cable required.
- No adapter needed (built-in Bluetooth): UV-5R Mini, UV-32 GPS, UV-28 Pro.
- Requires BT-A1D Adapter: UV-5R, UV-5RH, UV-5RH Pro, UV-5RM Plus, BF-888S (UHF & PMR446), UV-K5 Plus.
These are two different USB-to-serial chipsets used in programming cables:
- Prolific PL2303 — Common in older Baofeng cables. Install the Prolific driver if Device Manager shows “Prolific”.
- CH340 — Used in newer cables including the official Baofeng PC03. Install the CH340 driver if Device Manager shows “CH340”.
Software settings (like Squelch and power level) can help slightly, but software cannot change the physical transmission power of your radio. The most effective upgrade: Replace the stock “rubber duck” antenna with a NA-771 High Gain Antenna. This can improve reception range noticeably and immediately.
This is almost always a false positive. Factory CPS software is older and comes from a publisher not recognised by Windows, triggering warnings in antivirus programs like Windows Defender. Files downloaded from our official website (baofengradio.co.uk) are safe to use. You may need to temporarily disable your antivirus or add a folder exception to complete the installation.
The official Factory CPS software is Windows-only. Mac users have two great options:
- ✔️ CHIRP-next — fully supports macOS. Use with the PC03 Programming Cable (FTDI chip, natively supported by macOS — no driver needed).
- ✔️ OLA Radio App — available on iPhone/iPad via the App Store. Programme wirelessly via Bluetooth — no cable or PC required.
Yes, for transmitting on most frequencies. Most Baofeng radios (like the UV-5R) can transmit on frequencies requiring an Ofcom Amateur Radio Licence. It is illegal in the UK to transmit on these bands without a valid licence. However, you can legally listen (receive only) on any frequency without a licence. For licence-free operation, use PMR446 licence-free radios and frequencies only. Always check current Ofcom regulations before transmitting.
Owning a Baofeng radio is perfectly legal in the UK. Transmitting on licensed frequencies (such as amateur VHF/UHF bands) requires a valid Ofcom Amateur Radio Licence. For licence-free legal operation, use PMR446-approved radios and channels only. Always ensure full compliance with current Ofcom regulations.