Let’s get you connected.

01 Before you start

This guide follows the current project target: TI-84 Plus CE running OS 5.8.4. Other calculator models and OS versions are not confirmed for TI84AI. Your purchase includes the calculator and installed TI84AI hardware and software.

• A charged, compatible calculator with TI84AI hardware installed.
• A phone or computer for account and Wi-Fi setup. Routine AI module updates can be started in the TI app; a computer and data cable remain an option for app installation.
• A Wi-Fi network with internet access.
• Your own API account with OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini) or DeepSeek, with available API credit or billing.

Back up important calculator files before installing software. Use TI84AI for learning and only where your school or instructor permits it.

02 Reinstall the app (optional)

Skip this section for a newly supplied TI84AI calculator. Use it if you need to restore the app after deleting it or resetting your calculator.

First: Delete the existing PONG program

Before using either reinstall method below, remove the old PONG program. If PONG is already missing, skip to your preferred method.

1. Exit PONG: press CLEAR from the Pong game, or GRAPH from the AI helper, to return to the calculator’s home screen.
2. Press 2nd, then + (MEM) to open the memory menu.
3. Select 2: Mem Management/Delete, then 7: Prgm.
4. Use the arrow keys to highlight PONG, then press DEL. Select 2: Yes and press ENTER to confirm. Delete only PONG.
5. Press 2nd, then MODE (QUIT) to return to the home screen. Continue with one of the reinstall methods below.

See TI’s program deletion instructions for more help.

Option 1: Restore directly from the AI module

The AI module includes a copy of the calculator app that you can reinstall without a computer or external USB cable.

1. With the external USB cable disconnected, turn the calculator off and back on.
2. Within 4 seconds of powering on, open 2nd → LINK → RECEIVE, then press ENTER so the calculator shows Waiting….
3. Wait for the AI module to send PONG. Keep the calculator powered on until the transfer finishes.

If you miss the startup window, turn the calculator off and back on, then try again.

Option 2: Transfer from a computer

1. Turn off the calculator, connect the USB cable to the calculator and your computer, then turn the calculator on.
2. Download PONG.8xp from Downloads.
3. Use TI Connect CE to send PONG.8xp to your calculator. Choose Archive as the destination.
4. Disconnect the computer’s USB cable after the transfer.

Finish the device setup below before launching the helper. To launch, press PRGM, select PONG, then press ENTER twice.

03 Create your AI API key

OpenAI is the default, and the steps below use it. TI84AI also works with Claude, Gemini and DeepSeek: create a key in the Claude Console, Google AI Studio or the DeepSeek Platform, add credit or billing there, and paste it into that provider’s field on the device page in step 4. You can save keys for several providers and switch between them later, on the device page or on the calculator under SETUP › AI Settings. Requires AI module firmware 1.1.10 or later; see Keeping up to date to Update AI module firmware.

Create your key while your phone or computer still has its normal internet connection. OpenAI API usage is paid separately from your calculator purchase.

1. Sign in or create an account at the OpenAI API Platform.
2. Open the platform’s billing settings and add prepaid API credits. You pay upfront, and API usage is deducted from your balance as you go. $10 is a good starting balance and can go a long way for short homework questions with a lower-cost model. How long it lasts depends on the model you choose, the length of questions and answers, and photo use. Review the current model pricing before adding credit.
3. Choose or create a project for your calculator, then open API keys and create a secret key. A name such as TI84AI calculator will help you identify it later.
4. Copy the key and keep it private. You’ll paste it into your device’s local configuration page in step 4. Do not enter it on ti84ai.com or send it to support.
5. Review your project’s spending controls. A spend alert is only a notification; an enforced monthly limit stops traffic once tracked spend reaches the cap, with possible small overages while enforcement catches up.

Official references: API quickstart and spend limits. OpenAI’s dashboard labels and billing options may change.

04 Connect Wi-Fi & save your key

Power on the calculator and TI84AI hardware. On a fresh installation, the setup hotspot uses these defaults; use your supplied credentials if they have been changed.

1. Join TI84-Setup from your phone or computer. Stay connected if it warns that the network has no internet.
2. Type http://192.168.4.1 into your browser’s address bar. This is the device’s local page, not this website.
3. In AI Settings, paste your key into the field for its provider. With an OpenAI key, keep the default model selected—it is the preferred model for TI84AI. With a Claude, Gemini or DeepSeek key, choose one of that provider’s models from the Model list. If you choose a different model, make sure it is available to your account and supports image input for photo questions. Select Save AI settings.
4. Add your normal Wi-Fi network and password. Plan to use your calculator in other locations, such as school? Add those Wi-Fi network names and passwords too. If your phone supports a personal hotspot, you can also save its network name and password for use on the go. Choose your preferred network, then select Save Wi-Fi networks. You can switch between saved Wi-Fi networks directly from the TI app when you change locations.
5. Optional: Change the setup hotspot password in the setup-network section and select Save setup network. Reconnect using the new credentials if needed.
6. Wait for the status panel to show a Wi-Fi connection and internet access. Keep the calculator’s external USB cable disconnected, read and acknowledge the on-device warning, and enable TI USB mode.

If the hotspot is missing, open the calculator app’s Settings → 4: Turn setup hotspot on. A fresh module also starts the hotspot when no station network is saved.

05 Ask your first question

1. Press PRGM, select PONG, and press ENTER twice. Press MODE to enter the helper.
2. Check the top status bar for USB, WIFI, NET, and AI. A saved key is not proof of a successful API request; your first answered question confirms it works.
3. Try Solve x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0 and explain the steps. Press ENTER to send.
4. Read the answer and use the arrow keys to scroll. Press WINDOW to ask a follow-up, such as Why did you choose -2 and -3?

For a photo question, press APPS with ALPHA off to open the live preview and aim the camera. Press ENTER or TRACE to capture, check the attached photo with STAT, then send your question with ENTER. Capturing alone does not call the AI provider.

06 Keep the software up to date

With version 1.0.96 or later installed on both the calculator and AI module, you can update AI module firmware directly from the TI app.

1. Connect the calculator to Wi-Fi with internet access.
2. In the helper, open SETUP → Update AI module firmware.
3. Review the installed and available versions. Press ENTER to install, or CLEAR to cancel before installation.
4. Keep the calculator powered on while the update downloads and the AI module restarts. Wait for AI module updated.

If the download fails, the current firmware remains available. Your saved settings are preserved.

Adding the update menu to an older installation

Download the matching files from Downloads. In the module’s local setup page, select ti84-helper-ota.bin and choose Upload and restart. Install the matching PONG.8xp using the app installation instructions. This one-time update adds the new menu.

Updating the calculator app

The firmware update also includes the latest calculator app for transfer, but does not replace PONG while it is running. To install it, follow the app reinstallation instructions, starting by deleting the existing PONG program. Then choose direct recovery from the AI module or transfer PONG.8xp from a computer after disabling the module’s TI USB mode.