WiGLE Upload

Configure WiGLE API integration for uploading wardriving data

Upload your wardriving CSV captures to WiGLE.net to contribute to the global wireless network mapping project.

Prerequisites

  • GhostESP device with GPS module connected
  • SD card mounted for storing CSV captures
  • Wi-Fi connection (for uploading)
  • WiGLE account with API credentials

Getting WiGLE API Credentials

  1. Create a free account at wigle.net
  2. Go to your account page
  3. Find the “API” section and copy your API Name and API Token
  4. Your credentials are in the format: APIName:APIToken

Configuration

On-device Display

  1. Open Menu → Settings → Wigle
  2. Toggle Auto Upload to enable automatic uploads when WiFi connects
  3. Toggle Donate Data to share your scans with WiGLE (recommended)

Command Line

Set your API key:

wigle API <APIName>:<APIToken>

Enable auto-upload at boot:

wigle auto on

Enable data donation:

wigle donate on

View current settings:

wigle show

CLI Commands

Command Description
wigle API <name>:<token> Set your WiGLE API credentials
wigle auto on/off Enable/disable auto-upload at boot
wigle donate on/off Enable/disable data donation
wigle show Display current settings
wigle list List previously uploaded files
wigle upload Manually trigger upload

Auto Upload

When Auto Upload is enabled, GhostESP will automatically upload any pending CSV files when:

  1. The device connects to Wi-Fi (STA mode)
  2. An API key is configured
  3. There are CSV files that haven’t been uploaded yet

Files are tracked in a queue to prevent duplicate uploads.

Manual Upload

To manually trigger an upload:

wigle upload

This will process all pending CSV files and upload them to WiGLE.

Data Donation

When Donate Data is enabled (default), your uploads contribute to WiGLE’s public database. This helps:

  • Map wireless networks globally
  • Research wireless security trends
  • Improve coverage in undermapped areas

You can disable this if you prefer private uploads (WiGLE Pro feature).

CSV Format

GhostESP generates WiGLE-compatible CSV files in the standard format:

WigleWifi-1.6,appRelease=2.0.0,model=GhostESP,release=2.0.0,device=GhostESP,display=LCD,board=ESP32,brand=GhostESP
MAC,SSID,AuthMode,FirstSeen,Channel,RSSI,CurrentLatitude,CurrentLongitude,AltitudeMeters,AccuracyMeters,Type

Files are saved to /mnt/ghostesp/gps/ on your SD card.

Troubleshooting

  • “no API key set”: Run wigle API <name>:<token> to configure credentials
  • Upload fails: Ensure device is connected to Wi-Fi and has internet access
  • Files not uploading: Check that CSV files exist in /mnt/ghostesp/gps/
  • Duplicate uploads: The upload queue tracks files by name and size to prevent duplicates

Notes

  • Uploads require an active Wi-Fi connection (not AP mode)
  • Large uploads may take time depending on file size and connection speed
  • Upload progress is shown in the terminal/logs
  • Files remain on SD card after successful upload