How to Connect Your Emotiv Headset to Emotiv.dev
Christian Burgos
Updated on
Nov 10, 2026
How to Connect Your Emotiv Headset to Emotiv.dev
Christian Burgos
Updated on
Nov 10, 2026
How to Connect Your Emotiv Headset to Emotiv.dev
Christian Burgos
Updated on
Nov 10, 2026
Connecting your Emotiv headset to emotiv.dev involves a few setup steps. You'll need an Emotiv account, a registered Cortex app, and the Emotiv Launcher.
Once everything is configured, you can connect your headset and launch an experience directly from emotiv.dev. Giovani from the Emotiv team walks through the process in this video.
Watch the video: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
What Do I Need to Connect a Headset to emotiv.dev?
You need an Emotiv account, an Emotiv headset, the free Emotiv Launcher and a Cortex app registered to your account.
An Emotiv account: Your EmotivID is the same account you use to buy headsets.
An Emotiv headset: The video uses an MN8. emotiv.dev lists the headsets that Cortex can see on your computer, and you pick the one you are wearing.
The Emotiv Launcher: A free desktop application that connects to your headset over Bluetooth and provides access to Cortex on your computer.
A Cortex app: An application registered to your Emotiv account that provides the Client ID and Client Secret needed to connect to Cortex.
Step 1: Create an Emotiv Account
Go to emotiv.com, select Account, and sign in or create a new account.
Open emotiv.com and select Account in the top menu.
On the page that opens, go to My Account, or create a new account if you do not have one yet.
Step 2: Register a Cortex App
Open My Account, select Cortex Apps, choose Register new, name your app and register it, then copy your Client Secret and Client ID.
In My Account, select Cortex Apps.
Select Register new.
Enter an app name and an App ID. Choose a name you'll recognize.
Turn on Enable EEG for Professional devices only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset. Leave it off for an MN8 or Insight.
Select Register.
Copy your Client Secret and save it somewhere safe. Emotiv does not show it again after this step.
Tick the box that confirms you saved the secret, then select Confirm and Close.
Copy your Client ID from the app list.
Should I turn on "Enable EEG for Professional devices"? Only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset such as the Epoc X or Flex.
If you're using an MN8 or Insight headset, leave this option disabled. Raw EEG on professional headsets also requires the paid EEG license, so Emotiv's registration guide recommends contacting Support before you register, so the right license is linked to your account. With Insight and MN8, all Cortex data streams are available at no additional cost.
Step 3: Install the Emotiv Launcher
Download the Emotiv Launcher from emotiv.com, install it, open it and sign in with your Emotiv account. The download is free.
On emotiv.com, open Products, then Software, then Launcher, or go straight to the Emotiv Launcher page.
Select Download Now For Free, choose your operating system and install it.
Open the Launcher. A browser tab asks you to sign in with your EmotivID. Choose your account and continue to the Emotiv Launcher.
Keep the Launcher open whenever you use emotiv.dev. It runs in the background.
Step 4: Connect Your Headset to emotiv.dev
Open emotiv.dev, select Headset setup, check that the Launcher is running, enter your Client ID and Client Secret, save them in your browser, and test the connection.
Go to emotiv.dev and select Headset setup.
In the Launcher tab, select Check the Launcher. You should see that the Launcher was found and that you are signed in. Since you registered your Cortex app in Step 2, you can now enter its credentials.
In the Your keys tab, paste your Client ID and Client Secret, then select Save in this browser.
Select Test connection. The first time, you will see that the app is not approved yet. That is expected.
Open the Emotiv Launcher and approve the app. You only need to do this once.
Return to emotiv.dev and select Test connection again. Each check should now pass: Cortex is reachable, you are signed in, and the app is approved in the Launcher.
Emotiv.dev saves your keys in your browser only and states that it never receives them. The Test connection button checks the Launcher, your Emotiv account, the app approval, your credentials and your headset, and it names the step that fails.
Step 5: View EEG Data on emotiv.dev
Open the Experiences page, launch Raw EEG, acknowledge the notice, and select your headset to view your live EEG signal.
Select Go to the experiences.
Choose Raw EEG and select Launch.
Read the real-time performance metrics and AI-based EEG processing notice, then select Acknowledge. Select Use simulated data if you want to preview without your headset.
In Which headset?, select the headset you're wearing. If it doesn't appear, select Refresh list.
Your live EEG signal will now appear on screen.
The notice explains that emotiv.dev uses AI and machine learning to estimate cognitive performance metrics such as Attention and Engagement and affective metrics such as Stress. It also states that affective, or emotion-state, metrics are not to be used for workplace or educational deployments.
Raw EEG access depends on your headset and your account license. emotiv.dev notes that professional devices, the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex, require the paid EEG license. If you do not have a headset to hand, select Watch a real recorded EEG to see how the signal looks.
What Can You Do With Your Connected Headset?
You can launch any experience on emotiv.dev with your own signal, or take your Cortex app into your own code.
Raw EEG: Every channel your headset sends, in microvolts, one color per electrode.
NeuroFlight: Fly a ship through an asteroid field, steering with head movement at first and then with a mental command you train.
Mind Weather: A sky that shifts with your engagement, with attention and stress read from Cortex metrics.
Developers can use the same Client ID and Client Secret to authenticate their own applications with the Cortex API and start from Emotiv's code examples on GitHub.
What If the Connection Test Fails?
The Test connection button identifies which part of the setup failed. Follow the corresponding troubleshooting instructions below, then test the connection again.
The app is not approved: Open the Emotiv Launcher, approve the app, then test again. This is expected the first time.
The Launcher is not found: Install and open the Emotiv Launcher, and keep it running while you use emotiv.dev.
You are not signed in: Sign in to the Launcher with your Emotiv account.
Your headset does not appear: Make sure the headset is on and the Launcher is open, then select Refresh list.
Your credentials are rejected: Paste your Client ID and Client Secret again. Emotiv does not show the secret after registration, so store it safely.
If a step still fails, contact Emotiv Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cortex app?
A Cortex app is the registration in your Emotiv account that gives an application a Client ID and a Client Secret. emotiv.dev uses them to talk to Cortex, the service the Emotiv Launcher runs on your computer.
Where are my Client ID and Client Secret stored?
emotiv.dev saves them in your browser only and states that it never receives them. Select Forget keys in Headset setup to remove them.
Does my EEG data go to emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev's setup page states that apps talk to Cortex from your browser over a connection on your own computer, so your EEG data does not travel to emotiv.dev. Features that use EmotivIQ and Emotiv Cloud ask for your consent first.
Which headsets work with emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev shows the headsets detected by Cortex on your computer. The video uses an MN8, and Emotiv's registration guide covers Insight, MN8, Epoc X and Flex. Raw EEG on the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex requires the paid EEG license.
Can I try emotiv.dev without a headset?
Yes. Previews run on a simulated signal until you save your keys, and you can select Use simulated data or Watch a real recorded EEG in the Raw EEG experience.
Is the Emotiv Launcher free?
Yes. The Emotiv Launcher is a free download from emotiv.com.
Next Steps
Watch the full walkthrough: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
Open emotiv.dev and launch your first experience.
Explore the Cortex API documentation and the Emotiv developer page.
Connecting your Emotiv headset to emotiv.dev involves a few setup steps. You'll need an Emotiv account, a registered Cortex app, and the Emotiv Launcher.
Once everything is configured, you can connect your headset and launch an experience directly from emotiv.dev. Giovani from the Emotiv team walks through the process in this video.
Watch the video: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
What Do I Need to Connect a Headset to emotiv.dev?
You need an Emotiv account, an Emotiv headset, the free Emotiv Launcher and a Cortex app registered to your account.
An Emotiv account: Your EmotivID is the same account you use to buy headsets.
An Emotiv headset: The video uses an MN8. emotiv.dev lists the headsets that Cortex can see on your computer, and you pick the one you are wearing.
The Emotiv Launcher: A free desktop application that connects to your headset over Bluetooth and provides access to Cortex on your computer.
A Cortex app: An application registered to your Emotiv account that provides the Client ID and Client Secret needed to connect to Cortex.
Step 1: Create an Emotiv Account
Go to emotiv.com, select Account, and sign in or create a new account.
Open emotiv.com and select Account in the top menu.
On the page that opens, go to My Account, or create a new account if you do not have one yet.
Step 2: Register a Cortex App
Open My Account, select Cortex Apps, choose Register new, name your app and register it, then copy your Client Secret and Client ID.
In My Account, select Cortex Apps.
Select Register new.
Enter an app name and an App ID. Choose a name you'll recognize.
Turn on Enable EEG for Professional devices only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset. Leave it off for an MN8 or Insight.
Select Register.
Copy your Client Secret and save it somewhere safe. Emotiv does not show it again after this step.
Tick the box that confirms you saved the secret, then select Confirm and Close.
Copy your Client ID from the app list.
Should I turn on "Enable EEG for Professional devices"? Only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset such as the Epoc X or Flex.
If you're using an MN8 or Insight headset, leave this option disabled. Raw EEG on professional headsets also requires the paid EEG license, so Emotiv's registration guide recommends contacting Support before you register, so the right license is linked to your account. With Insight and MN8, all Cortex data streams are available at no additional cost.
Step 3: Install the Emotiv Launcher
Download the Emotiv Launcher from emotiv.com, install it, open it and sign in with your Emotiv account. The download is free.
On emotiv.com, open Products, then Software, then Launcher, or go straight to the Emotiv Launcher page.
Select Download Now For Free, choose your operating system and install it.
Open the Launcher. A browser tab asks you to sign in with your EmotivID. Choose your account and continue to the Emotiv Launcher.
Keep the Launcher open whenever you use emotiv.dev. It runs in the background.
Step 4: Connect Your Headset to emotiv.dev
Open emotiv.dev, select Headset setup, check that the Launcher is running, enter your Client ID and Client Secret, save them in your browser, and test the connection.
Go to emotiv.dev and select Headset setup.
In the Launcher tab, select Check the Launcher. You should see that the Launcher was found and that you are signed in. Since you registered your Cortex app in Step 2, you can now enter its credentials.
In the Your keys tab, paste your Client ID and Client Secret, then select Save in this browser.
Select Test connection. The first time, you will see that the app is not approved yet. That is expected.
Open the Emotiv Launcher and approve the app. You only need to do this once.
Return to emotiv.dev and select Test connection again. Each check should now pass: Cortex is reachable, you are signed in, and the app is approved in the Launcher.
Emotiv.dev saves your keys in your browser only and states that it never receives them. The Test connection button checks the Launcher, your Emotiv account, the app approval, your credentials and your headset, and it names the step that fails.
Step 5: View EEG Data on emotiv.dev
Open the Experiences page, launch Raw EEG, acknowledge the notice, and select your headset to view your live EEG signal.
Select Go to the experiences.
Choose Raw EEG and select Launch.
Read the real-time performance metrics and AI-based EEG processing notice, then select Acknowledge. Select Use simulated data if you want to preview without your headset.
In Which headset?, select the headset you're wearing. If it doesn't appear, select Refresh list.
Your live EEG signal will now appear on screen.
The notice explains that emotiv.dev uses AI and machine learning to estimate cognitive performance metrics such as Attention and Engagement and affective metrics such as Stress. It also states that affective, or emotion-state, metrics are not to be used for workplace or educational deployments.
Raw EEG access depends on your headset and your account license. emotiv.dev notes that professional devices, the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex, require the paid EEG license. If you do not have a headset to hand, select Watch a real recorded EEG to see how the signal looks.
What Can You Do With Your Connected Headset?
You can launch any experience on emotiv.dev with your own signal, or take your Cortex app into your own code.
Raw EEG: Every channel your headset sends, in microvolts, one color per electrode.
NeuroFlight: Fly a ship through an asteroid field, steering with head movement at first and then with a mental command you train.
Mind Weather: A sky that shifts with your engagement, with attention and stress read from Cortex metrics.
Developers can use the same Client ID and Client Secret to authenticate their own applications with the Cortex API and start from Emotiv's code examples on GitHub.
What If the Connection Test Fails?
The Test connection button identifies which part of the setup failed. Follow the corresponding troubleshooting instructions below, then test the connection again.
The app is not approved: Open the Emotiv Launcher, approve the app, then test again. This is expected the first time.
The Launcher is not found: Install and open the Emotiv Launcher, and keep it running while you use emotiv.dev.
You are not signed in: Sign in to the Launcher with your Emotiv account.
Your headset does not appear: Make sure the headset is on and the Launcher is open, then select Refresh list.
Your credentials are rejected: Paste your Client ID and Client Secret again. Emotiv does not show the secret after registration, so store it safely.
If a step still fails, contact Emotiv Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cortex app?
A Cortex app is the registration in your Emotiv account that gives an application a Client ID and a Client Secret. emotiv.dev uses them to talk to Cortex, the service the Emotiv Launcher runs on your computer.
Where are my Client ID and Client Secret stored?
emotiv.dev saves them in your browser only and states that it never receives them. Select Forget keys in Headset setup to remove them.
Does my EEG data go to emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev's setup page states that apps talk to Cortex from your browser over a connection on your own computer, so your EEG data does not travel to emotiv.dev. Features that use EmotivIQ and Emotiv Cloud ask for your consent first.
Which headsets work with emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev shows the headsets detected by Cortex on your computer. The video uses an MN8, and Emotiv's registration guide covers Insight, MN8, Epoc X and Flex. Raw EEG on the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex requires the paid EEG license.
Can I try emotiv.dev without a headset?
Yes. Previews run on a simulated signal until you save your keys, and you can select Use simulated data or Watch a real recorded EEG in the Raw EEG experience.
Is the Emotiv Launcher free?
Yes. The Emotiv Launcher is a free download from emotiv.com.
Next Steps
Watch the full walkthrough: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
Open emotiv.dev and launch your first experience.
Explore the Cortex API documentation and the Emotiv developer page.
Connecting your Emotiv headset to emotiv.dev involves a few setup steps. You'll need an Emotiv account, a registered Cortex app, and the Emotiv Launcher.
Once everything is configured, you can connect your headset and launch an experience directly from emotiv.dev. Giovani from the Emotiv team walks through the process in this video.
Watch the video: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
What Do I Need to Connect a Headset to emotiv.dev?
You need an Emotiv account, an Emotiv headset, the free Emotiv Launcher and a Cortex app registered to your account.
An Emotiv account: Your EmotivID is the same account you use to buy headsets.
An Emotiv headset: The video uses an MN8. emotiv.dev lists the headsets that Cortex can see on your computer, and you pick the one you are wearing.
The Emotiv Launcher: A free desktop application that connects to your headset over Bluetooth and provides access to Cortex on your computer.
A Cortex app: An application registered to your Emotiv account that provides the Client ID and Client Secret needed to connect to Cortex.
Step 1: Create an Emotiv Account
Go to emotiv.com, select Account, and sign in or create a new account.
Open emotiv.com and select Account in the top menu.
On the page that opens, go to My Account, or create a new account if you do not have one yet.
Step 2: Register a Cortex App
Open My Account, select Cortex Apps, choose Register new, name your app and register it, then copy your Client Secret and Client ID.
In My Account, select Cortex Apps.
Select Register new.
Enter an app name and an App ID. Choose a name you'll recognize.
Turn on Enable EEG for Professional devices only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset. Leave it off for an MN8 or Insight.
Select Register.
Copy your Client Secret and save it somewhere safe. Emotiv does not show it again after this step.
Tick the box that confirms you saved the secret, then select Confirm and Close.
Copy your Client ID from the app list.
Should I turn on "Enable EEG for Professional devices"? Only if you plan to see raw EEG from a professional headset such as the Epoc X or Flex.
If you're using an MN8 or Insight headset, leave this option disabled. Raw EEG on professional headsets also requires the paid EEG license, so Emotiv's registration guide recommends contacting Support before you register, so the right license is linked to your account. With Insight and MN8, all Cortex data streams are available at no additional cost.
Step 3: Install the Emotiv Launcher
Download the Emotiv Launcher from emotiv.com, install it, open it and sign in with your Emotiv account. The download is free.
On emotiv.com, open Products, then Software, then Launcher, or go straight to the Emotiv Launcher page.
Select Download Now For Free, choose your operating system and install it.
Open the Launcher. A browser tab asks you to sign in with your EmotivID. Choose your account and continue to the Emotiv Launcher.
Keep the Launcher open whenever you use emotiv.dev. It runs in the background.
Step 4: Connect Your Headset to emotiv.dev
Open emotiv.dev, select Headset setup, check that the Launcher is running, enter your Client ID and Client Secret, save them in your browser, and test the connection.
Go to emotiv.dev and select Headset setup.
In the Launcher tab, select Check the Launcher. You should see that the Launcher was found and that you are signed in. Since you registered your Cortex app in Step 2, you can now enter its credentials.
In the Your keys tab, paste your Client ID and Client Secret, then select Save in this browser.
Select Test connection. The first time, you will see that the app is not approved yet. That is expected.
Open the Emotiv Launcher and approve the app. You only need to do this once.
Return to emotiv.dev and select Test connection again. Each check should now pass: Cortex is reachable, you are signed in, and the app is approved in the Launcher.
Emotiv.dev saves your keys in your browser only and states that it never receives them. The Test connection button checks the Launcher, your Emotiv account, the app approval, your credentials and your headset, and it names the step that fails.
Step 5: View EEG Data on emotiv.dev
Open the Experiences page, launch Raw EEG, acknowledge the notice, and select your headset to view your live EEG signal.
Select Go to the experiences.
Choose Raw EEG and select Launch.
Read the real-time performance metrics and AI-based EEG processing notice, then select Acknowledge. Select Use simulated data if you want to preview without your headset.
In Which headset?, select the headset you're wearing. If it doesn't appear, select Refresh list.
Your live EEG signal will now appear on screen.
The notice explains that emotiv.dev uses AI and machine learning to estimate cognitive performance metrics such as Attention and Engagement and affective metrics such as Stress. It also states that affective, or emotion-state, metrics are not to be used for workplace or educational deployments.
Raw EEG access depends on your headset and your account license. emotiv.dev notes that professional devices, the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex, require the paid EEG license. If you do not have a headset to hand, select Watch a real recorded EEG to see how the signal looks.
What Can You Do With Your Connected Headset?
You can launch any experience on emotiv.dev with your own signal, or take your Cortex app into your own code.
Raw EEG: Every channel your headset sends, in microvolts, one color per electrode.
NeuroFlight: Fly a ship through an asteroid field, steering with head movement at first and then with a mental command you train.
Mind Weather: A sky that shifts with your engagement, with attention and stress read from Cortex metrics.
Developers can use the same Client ID and Client Secret to authenticate their own applications with the Cortex API and start from Emotiv's code examples on GitHub.
What If the Connection Test Fails?
The Test connection button identifies which part of the setup failed. Follow the corresponding troubleshooting instructions below, then test the connection again.
The app is not approved: Open the Emotiv Launcher, approve the app, then test again. This is expected the first time.
The Launcher is not found: Install and open the Emotiv Launcher, and keep it running while you use emotiv.dev.
You are not signed in: Sign in to the Launcher with your Emotiv account.
Your headset does not appear: Make sure the headset is on and the Launcher is open, then select Refresh list.
Your credentials are rejected: Paste your Client ID and Client Secret again. Emotiv does not show the secret after registration, so store it safely.
If a step still fails, contact Emotiv Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cortex app?
A Cortex app is the registration in your Emotiv account that gives an application a Client ID and a Client Secret. emotiv.dev uses them to talk to Cortex, the service the Emotiv Launcher runs on your computer.
Where are my Client ID and Client Secret stored?
emotiv.dev saves them in your browser only and states that it never receives them. Select Forget keys in Headset setup to remove them.
Does my EEG data go to emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev's setup page states that apps talk to Cortex from your browser over a connection on your own computer, so your EEG data does not travel to emotiv.dev. Features that use EmotivIQ and Emotiv Cloud ask for your consent first.
Which headsets work with emotiv.dev?
emotiv.dev shows the headsets detected by Cortex on your computer. The video uses an MN8, and Emotiv's registration guide covers Insight, MN8, Epoc X and Flex. Raw EEG on the EPOC, Epoc X and Flex requires the paid EEG license.
Can I try emotiv.dev without a headset?
Yes. Previews run on a simulated signal until you save your keys, and you can select Use simulated data or Watch a real recorded EEG in the Raw EEG experience.
Is the Emotiv Launcher free?
Yes. The Emotiv Launcher is a free download from emotiv.com.
Next Steps
Watch the full walkthrough: https\://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO8-b6OAJYg
Open emotiv.dev and launch your first experience.
Explore the Cortex API documentation and the Emotiv developer page.
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