Math class just got a whole lot more entertaining! In this Instructable, I will be teaching you how to download games and other programs on your TI graphing calculator using a program called MirageOS. This method worked for me perfectly on my Windows 10 PC, I believe that it will work no matter what operating system you are using, but I am not sure. So, let's hop in.

Step 1: What You're Going to Need

Here is the list of supplies and materials you will need:

1. A TI graphing calculator (TI-83 or higher)

2. A computer of some sort

3. A mini USB cable

That's it!

Step 2: Downloads

To do this project, you are going to need some downloads.

First, if you don't already have it, you will need the TI Connect software. To get this, go here! Once you get there, scroll down until you see the stuff that says "TI Connect for PC" or "TI Connect for Mac" then click on the appropriate one. Once you have done that, a screen like above will pop up. If you are not sure if your calculator is compatible with TI Connect, click the see the difference button. If your calculator is not in the left column, then it is not supported. If that is the case, this Instructable will not work for you, sorry. If your calculator is compatible, then find the program in the appropriate language, then download it. Once it has downloaded and installed, ignore it for now, you need to get another download.

This next download is called MirageOS. This is the program that will allow you to run the games on your calculator. To get MirageOS, go here! Once it is installed, set it aside for now.

Step 3: Downloading MirageOS

Now, we need to transfer MirageOS to the calculator. To do this, open up the TI Connect Software that we previously installed. Then, click the "Send to TI Device" option. After that is done, another window should pop up. Now, you need to plug your calculator into your computer and ensure that the calculator is on. Now, go back to the "Send to TI Device" window. Now, you need to press the button at the top that says "Select Device". When it has found your calculator click it and then click select. Then, once you have done that, open your files and find the compressed mirageOS folder. When you find it, simply drag the folder into the "Send to TI Device" window. You can't drag single files into the window, so don't even try. When you drag the folder in, all but one file should be marked as "Incompatible Type". We don't need these, so simply click on each one, then click "Remove". Now, all you should have left is the file called MIRAGEOS. All you need to do now is hit "Send to Device".

Step 4: MirageOS

Once the file transfer has finished, check to make sure that it has successfully downloaded on your calculator. To do this, you need to open up the apps on your calculator and go down until you find MirageOS. When you open it up, it should look something like the picture above. To close it, simply press the "MODE" key.

Step 5: Downloading Games

Now that you have MirageOS successfully installed on your calculator, you can get games on your calculator. The game I will be using is Centipede. If you don't want that, then get another game. To get Centipede for your calculator, go here! Once that is downloaded, proceed to put it on your calculator the way that we put MirageOS on the calculator. Once the file transfer has completed, open MirageOS, click the main folder, and a program called CENTIPDM should pop up. Run that program.

Step 6: Some Last Words

With this software installed on your calculator, you can now download any program compatible with your calculator. This could be productive things like a quadratics solver, or just more games. The choice is yours. If you ever get a game and cannot find it in MirageOS, check your programs on your calculator. It should be there if it doesn't require a shell like MirageOS. Thank you for checking this out and I hope you can have some fun with this!