LEGO Powered Up update to the community [News]

The LEGO Powered Up technology is a followup to the LEGO Power Functions and made its debut in 60197 City Passenger Train and 60198 Cargo Train. LEGO Power Functions will be obsolete from current sets (if not already).

As LEGO seamlessly weaves Powered Up functions into their products, loss of some features and functions can sometimes leave fans more questions than answers. Over the short number of years, there has been more information sharing such as this consolidated FAQ made public. The LEGO Engagement team has also been reaching out to the LEGO community to gather feedback over time. Because of confidentiality and upcoming products, the lack of communication back to the community can sometimes be challenging. But to address that our feedback has been heard, the Powered Up team has released a public statement to share with the community.


Dear AFOLs and Powered Up users,

First of all, we want to thank you for being AFOLs and users of Powered Up. Your feedback is always highly valued and vital to our future roadmap and vision of LEGO® Powered Up.

The LEGO® Powered Up app has a wide spectrum of users. From kids using the app as a remote control for their LEGO trains, Batmobile, or their own creations, to really technical users building amazingly advanced LEGO models, and everyone in between.

We aim to please the entire spectrum of users, without forcing anyone into a one-size-fits-all. We aim to lower the floor so that kids can easily get started with the app. We aim to widen the walls and offer different ways of coding and controlling LEGO models. We aim to raise the ceiling to remove limits for our most advanced users.

This means that when we launch something new, it isn’t always for everyone. Lately, we have launched a few very advanced features (Handset and LPF1 support). We realize that these are way too advanced for kids, but this is not for them – yet. These features are our way of trying to raise the ceiling and making new things possible with the app. In time, we will work on making these features more user-friendly and eventually usable by kids as well.

This does not mean that we have forgotten the kids. We are constantly trying to improve the usability of the app allowing kids to be explorative and creative. For the kids, we are focusing on making the app easier to use. Lately, we have begun the redesign of the overall user interface. This redesign is the first step in making the app easier and more intuitive for kids to use. And, more kid-focused updates are coming in the future.

On a final note, Powered Up’s primary purpose is two-fold. On the one side, we aim to make the Powered Up app the intersection for all connected LEGO play experiences. This means that we aim to support hardware from all connected LEGO play products, new and old, in one way or another, and make sure you can code and control them using the Powered Up app. On the other side, the Powered Up app is a creative tool that lets LEGO builders of all ages make their LEGO models come to life. Whether it is controlling or coding, we want to provide a tool that enables creativity. Your creativity. We want you to know that we listen to you. In the Powered Up team, we are constantly working on improvements and additions of new features.

The last Powered Up update may not have been exactly what you wanted, but it has brought joy to others. Maybe the next update will be right up your alley.

Lastly, we want to let you know that we have heard your wish for better documentation. We are working on several ways to make the Powered Up app easier to use and documentation, help, and support for users of all skill levels are a top priority of ours.

Thank you for being the best fans in the world – stay AWESOME!

Lots of love from the Powered Up team!


Here are some of our LEGO set reviews that have the Powered Up features incorporated into the play.

LEGO 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile  – An in-depth look at the LEGO App-Controlled Batmobile 76112 in action | Amazon

LEGO 71044 Disney Train and Station – All aboard the new 3,000-piece Disneyland LEGO set, 71044 Disney Train and Station | USA $329.99 | CAN $379.99 | UK £299.99

LEGO 17101 Boost Creative Toolbox – LEGO BOOST 17101 Creative Toolbox | US 159.99  | 199.99 CAD | 149.99 GBP

LEGO 42099 4×4 X-Treme Off-Roader – A little dirt never hurt: LEGO Technic 42099 4×4 X-treme Off-Roader |  US $249.99 | CAN $299.99 | UK £199.99

LEGO 42100 Liebherr R 9800 – Moving mountains with the new LEGO Technic 42100 Liebherr R 9800 Excavator  | US $449.99 | CAN $549.99 | UK £399.99

LEGO 42109 App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car – Completing a lap around the test track in LEGO Technic 42109 App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car | US $129.99 | CAN $179.99 | UK £124.99

3 comments on “LEGO Powered Up update to the community [News]

  1. GJBricks

    Be interesting to see what they do going forward. Want to see things like pairing motors for trains added for those of us that want to run 2 motor setups.

  2. Exxos

    I would have liked to see them say, “Wow, this was a horrible idea that really did not belong in lego, we’re canceling all development and firing a bunch of people.”

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