Q3 2026 | MCUXpresso Software, Tools & Developer Quarterly Update

[#1]

MCUXpresso 26.09 Has Arrived: Here's What's New

If your workflow includes MCUXpresso, this release is worth a closer look.

Here's a breakdown of what's new and why it matters.

EdgeFast Open

MCUXpresso SDK 26.09.00 migrates from the EdgeFast Bluetooth stack for i.MX RT and MCX devices connected to an NXP radio co-processor (e.g., IW6xx devices) to the EdgeFast Open Bluetooth stack. EdgeFast Open is an open-source Bluetooth host stack based on the stack from the Zephyr community. This migration will make Bluetooth-based applications smaller size (Flash and RAM) due to architecture changes versus the previously used EdgeFast Bluetooth stack. Given that EdgeFast Bluetooth adopted Zephyr Bluetooth stack API’s the migration from EdgeFast Bluetooth to EdgeFast Open is expected to be minimally disruptive. For uses who want to continue using the EdgeFast Bluetooth stack, this continues to be supported and maintained on the SDK 26.06.00-LTS release that was introduced in Q2.

Documentation

SDK release notes have been updated to improve the quality, and relevance of results when using the built-in search tools. Example product documentation has also been reworked to improve readability, and useability in the web-based interface.

Security updates

Migration to MBEDTLS 3.x has been complete for all middleware components that depend on security. MBEDLS 4.2 is starting to be introduced into MCUXpresso SDK, offering a gradual transition to the next MBEDTLS LTS release.

RTOS updates

Updated FreeRTOS kernel and libraries for improved reliability, security and ecosystem compatibility

New product introduction support

MCXE327, MCXN556S (123-WLCSP), MCXN947T, MCXC352/353, MCXA556/557 (WLCSP), i.MX RT2660 , i.MX 93 Cortex-A55, i.MX 8M Mini Cortex-A53, i.MX 95 Cortex-A55, FRDM-IMXRT1152, FRDM-MCXE32B, KW43-LOC, MCXW70-LOC.

Toolchain and IDE updates

• IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm updated to v9.70.2
• MCUXpresso toolchain components aligned with the 26.06.00 release

Learn more: SDK documentation and GitHub Release Notes

Over the past three months, the MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code team has delivered a series of updates focused on productivity, usability, and next-generation development workflows.

Experimental Agentic AI Toolkit

The headline feature this quarter is experimental access to the Agentic AI Toolkit, enabling developers to interact with MCUXpresso through AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot. Developers can install repositories, create and build projects, program devices, perform debugging tasks, and execute MCUXpresso-specific workflows directly from AI chat sessions.

Energy Measurement with MCU-Link Pro

LinkServer 26.09 introduces Target Power and Energy Measurement support for MCU-Link Pro and NXP development boards with power measurement circuits, providing visibility into device power and energy consumption directly within the development workflow. It includes both command-line and standalone GUI usage of the features. This helps developers better understand and optimize energy usage on their target hardware, up to CI/CD integration, and automated testing.

Easier Project Management

July and August releases delivered numerous customer-requested improvements that simplify everyday development, including faster project imports, improved repository management, more reliable project conversion from MCUXpresso IDE, better build configuration handling, and enhanced archive support.

Better DSP and eIQ Example Support

Developers working with DSP and eIQ examples will benefit from improved build automation that eliminates unnecessary toolchain errors when using supplied binaries, reducing setup complexity and improving the out-of-box experience.

Experimental Secure Debug Authentication

An additional experimental feature, Secure Debug Authentication, adds support for authenticating with protected devices before establishing a debug session when required by the device security configuration.

Explore the latest updates in the Visual Studio Marketplace Changelog and discover how MCUXpresso for VS Code continues to make embedded development more productive, intelligent, and efficient.

Learn more: MCUXpresso VS Code Documentation and Extension Change Log

MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool (SEC) 26.09 - Broad coverage, stronger security, one unified tool

MCX Family Support & Improvement

• Added support for MCX E32x, L14x and W70x
• Secure Installer erasure improvement for MCX A1xx/2xx/3xx and L14x, L25x

Other significant updates

• Added support for i.MX RT1150, i.MX RT1185/118C, KW43 and i.MX 943 processors
• Debug authentication integrated into VS Code

Six clicks to secure your IP

• Blog — Prototype to secure deployment in six clicks
• Video — Six steps to secure your IP with MCUXpresso
• Training — How to build a secure image with MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool

Learn more: MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool

SPSDK 3.11.0 - Build your own secure production workflow

New features include:

• Added IPED tool for external flash encryption (nxpimage)
• Added debug mailbox command for MCX C1xx devices (nxpdebugmbox)

New devices supported include i.MX RT1150/1152, MCX A557, MCX E32x, MCX W70 and KW43 families.

Learn more: SPSDK

Config Tools 26.09 – Faster setup, timely insights

MCU Tools

• Now support preliminary public releases of processor data

i.MX Updates

• DDR Tool extended with new boards and memories
• System Manager has updated validation engine

Learn more: MCUXpresso Config tools and Config tools for i.MX release notes

Real-Time Edge 3.5 Released in July

• Fast Boot: Enables boot of two Cortex-A cores in parallel and decreases boot time especially for use cases with RTOS on Cortex-A core.
• Consolidated Images: Leveraging Yocto Multiconfig to enable single system image covering multiple boards (from same family).
• Updated Base: Now rebased on Linux Kernel 6.18.20 / Yocto Wrynose.

GUI Guider v2.0.1 Released in August

• Figma-to-GUI Guider import
• New UI for GUI Guider
• Visual flowchart-style event system
• Added FRDM-MCXA577, FRDM-MXCA287 & FRDM-MXCA266
• LVGL v9.4 support across MCX, RW, i.MX RT and i.MX platforms

MCU on Eclipse

• Installing MCUXpresso Installer in DevContainer | MCU on Eclipse

• Tool Time | LinkedIn Live Event Tool Demonstrations
  • July – Serial Memory Tool – a smarter way to configure and work with serial memory in VS Code
  • August – MCUXpresso Installer – create consistent development environments and simplify your setup experience
  • September – G-Knob – Connecting click shields to FRDM Boards using MCUXpresso Tools

• EdgeVerse Techcast | Apple • Spotify • YouTube
• Audit Alert: Andrei's Expert Take on NXP's Software Suite
• Steering Success: Automotive Developers Take the Wheel in the Application Code Hub
• Empowering Developers with Long-Term Support in MCUXpresso SDK
• Winning with Efficient Performance: Why Architecture Matters More Than Clock Speed
• The Sound of Smart Glasses: Building Conversational AI at the Edge
• Unlocking Embedded Development: Insights from DigiKey's Experts and Tech Forum

• Application Code Hub | Spotlights
  
  • RW612 Connectivity Momentum
    • BLE Relay: Multi Peripheral to Single Central Connection
• • RW612 Wi-Fi Secure MQTT Demonstration
  • Wi‑Fi Access Point to Ethernet Layer‑2 Bridging
  • Wi-Fi Sensing using Sniffer on RW61x with Zephyr OS

• MCXC162 focused on Low-Power and Motor Control
  • Low Power Presence Detection
  • Low Power Temperature Sensing
  • One shunt FOC on MCXC162

• Remote-System Architectures
• Wireless UART Throughput on RT1060EVKC and IW416
• Servo Motor Multi-Control via Wireless UART

• High-Value Peripheral Enablement
• NFC Controller on MCXC242, 6-Color ePaper Display on MCXA266

• AI enablement
• Agentic AI Network Management System (i.MX 8M Plus / 95 - Ara240)

•