Help: Confused about connecting ESP32-S3 module with 3.5-inch Arduino TFT shield (8 bit parallel interface) #3838
Description
I’m trying to use my ESP32-S3 module (N16R8 variant) with a 3.5-inch TFT Arduino shield (ILI9486 or similar).
I want to run it using Arduino IDE with TFT_eSPI, but I’m confused but I’m confused about which GPIO pins I can safely use for the display’s 8-bit parallel interface.
Here’s what I know so far:
- The ESP32-S3 module has external flash + PSRAM, which uses GPIOs internally.
- Several pins (GPIO0, 2, 8, 9, 45, 46) are strapping pins or USB pins.
- So I’m not sure which GPIOs are actually safe for the TFT data bus (D0–D7) and control pins like WR, RD, CS, DC, and RST.
My setup
- Microcontroller: ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 (bare module, custom breakout)
- Display: 3.5-inch TFT Arduino shield (most likely ILI9486)
- Library I want to use: TFT_eSPI
- Platform: Arduino IDE 2.x
- Connection type: 8-bit parallel (not SPI)
What I need help with
- Which GPIOs on the ESP32-S3 are safe and recommended for the TFT data lines (D0–D7)?
- Are there example configurations (User_Setup.h for TFT_eSPI ) for ESP32-S3 + ILI9486 in parallel mode?