diff --git a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
index 4c3fc5f..45560e2 100644
--- a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
+++ b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi.py
@@ -27,11 +27,13 @@
 """
 
 import struct
+import os
 import time
 from micropython import const
 from adafruit_bus_device.spi_device import SPIDevice
 from digitalio import Direction
 
+
 __version__ = "0.0.0+auto.0"
 __repo__ = "https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_ESP32SPI.git"
 
@@ -568,10 +570,10 @@ def disconnect(self):
         if resp[0][0] != 1:
             raise OSError("Failed to disconnect")
 
-    def connect(self, secrets):
+    def connect(self):
         """Connect to an access point using a secrets dictionary
         that contains a 'ssid' and 'password' entry"""
-        self.connect_AP(secrets["ssid"], secrets["password"])
+        self.connect_AP(os.getenv("ssid"), os.getenv("password"))
 
     def connect_AP(self, ssid, password, timeout_s=10):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
         """Connect to an access point with given name and password.
@@ -587,6 +589,12 @@ def connect_AP(self, ssid, password, timeout_s=10):  # pylint: disable=invalid-n
                 f"Connect to AP: {ssid=}, password=\
                     {repr(password if self._debug_show_secrets else '*' * len(password))}"
             )
+
+        if ssid is None or password is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "Must provide ssid and password in settings.toml."
+                "Please add them there and try again."
+            )
         if isinstance(ssid, str):
             ssid = bytes(ssid, "utf-8")
         if password:
diff --git a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.py b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 0070b94..dad0185
--- a/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.py
+++ b/adafruit_esp32spi/adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 """
 
 # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
-
+import os
 from time import sleep
 from micropython import const
 import adafruit_requests as requests
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ class ESPSPI_WiFiManager:
     def __init__(
         self,
         esp,
-        secrets,
         status_pixel=None,
         attempts=2,
         connection_type=NORMAL,
@@ -41,7 +40,6 @@ def __init__(
     ):
         """
         :param ESP_SPIcontrol esp: The ESP object we are using
-        :param dict secrets: The WiFi and Adafruit IO secrets dict (See examples)
         :param status_pixel: (Optional) The pixel device - A NeoPixel, DotStar,
             or RGB LED (default=None). The status LED, if given, turns red when
             attempting to connect to a Wi-Fi network or create an access point,
@@ -55,8 +53,8 @@ def __init__(
         # Read the settings
         self.esp = esp
         self.debug = debug
-        self.ssid = secrets["ssid"]
-        self.password = secrets.get("password", None)
+        self.ssid = os.getenv("ssid")
+        self.password = os.getenv("password")
         self.attempts = attempts
         self._connection_type = connection_type
         requests.set_socket(socket, esp)
@@ -65,18 +63,18 @@ def __init__(
         self._ap_index = 0
 
         # Check for WPA2 Enterprise keys in the secrets dictionary and load them if they exist
-        if secrets.get("ent_ssid"):
-            self.ent_ssid = secrets["ent_ssid"]
+        if os.getenv("ent_ssid") is not None:
+            self.ent_ssid = os.getenv("ent_ssid")
         else:
-            self.ent_ssid = secrets["ssid"]
-        if secrets.get("ent_ident"):
-            self.ent_ident = secrets["ent_ident"]
+            self.ent_ssid = os.getenv("ssid")
+        if os.getenv("ent_ident") is not None:
+            self.ent_ident = os.getenv("ent_ident")
         else:
             self.ent_ident = ""
-        if secrets.get("ent_user"):
-            self.ent_user = secrets["ent_user"]
-        if secrets.get("ent_password"):
-            self.ent_password = secrets["ent_password"]
+        if os.getenv("ent_user") is not None:
+            self.ent_user = os.getenv("ent_user")
+        if os.getenv("ent_password") is not None:
+            self.ent_password = os.getenv("ent_password")
 
     # pylint: enable=too-many-arguments
 
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_aio_post.py b/examples/esp32spi_aio_post.py
index ef24db7..84c6e9d 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_aio_post.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_aio_post.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import time
 import board
 import busio
@@ -11,12 +12,18 @@
 
 print("ESP32 SPI webclient test")
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+if (
+    os.getenv("ssid") is None
+    or os.getenv("password") is None
+    or os.getenv("aio_username") is None
+    or os.getenv("aio_key") is None
+):
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password', 'aio_username' and 'aio_key'"
+        " in settings.toml. Please add them there and try again."
+    )
+
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
 
 # If you are using a board with pre-defined ESP32 Pins:
 esp32_cs = DigitalInOut(board.ESP_CS)
@@ -43,7 +50,7 @@
 # GREEN_LED = PWMOut.PWMOut(esp, 27)
 # BLUE_LED = PWMOut.PWMOut(esp, 25)
 # status_light = adafruit_rgbled.RGBLED(RED_LED, BLUE_LED, GREEN_LED)
-wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, secrets, status_light)
+wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, status_light)
 
 counter = 0
 
@@ -55,12 +62,12 @@
         payload = {"value": data}
         response = wifi.post(
             "https://io.adafruit.com/api/v2/"
-            + secrets["aio_username"]
+            + os.getenv("aio_username")
             + "/feeds/"
             + feed
             + "/data",
             json=payload,
-            headers={"X-AIO-KEY": secrets["aio_key"]},
+            headers={"X-AIO-KEY": os.getenv("aio_key")},
         )
         print(response.json())
         response.close()
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_cheerlights.py b/examples/esp32spi_cheerlights.py
index 7ded593..8e54e7c 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_cheerlights.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_cheerlights.py
@@ -12,21 +12,23 @@
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
 
 print("ESP32 SPI webclient test")
 
 DATA_SOURCE = "https://api.thingspeak.com/channels/1417/feeds.json?results=1"
 DATA_LOCATION = ["feeds", 0, "field2"]
 
-esp32_cs = DigitalInOut(board.D9)
-esp32_ready = DigitalInOut(board.D10)
-esp32_reset = DigitalInOut(board.D5)
+# If you are using a board with pre-defined ESP32 Pins:
+esp32_cs = DigitalInOut(board.ESP_CS)
+esp32_ready = DigitalInOut(board.ESP_BUSY)
+esp32_reset = DigitalInOut(board.ESP_RESET)
+
+# If you have an externally connected ESP32:
+# esp32_cs = DigitalInOut(board.D9)
+# esp32_ready = DigitalInOut(board.D10)
+# esp32_reset = DigitalInOut(board.D5)
+
 spi = busio.SPI(board.SCK, board.MOSI, board.MISO)
 esp = adafruit_esp32spi.ESP_SPIcontrol(spi, esp32_cs, esp32_ready, esp32_reset)
 """Use below for Most Boards"""
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@
 )  # Uncomment for Most Boards
 """Uncomment below for ItsyBitsy M4"""
 # status_light = dotstar.DotStar(board.APA102_SCK, board.APA102_MOSI, 1, brightness=0.2)
-wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, secrets, status_light)
+wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, status_light)
 
 # neopixels
 pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.A1, 16, brightness=0.3)
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_ipconfig.py b/examples/esp32spi_ipconfig.py
index 5f67044..e2c8d13 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_ipconfig.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_ipconfig.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import time
 import board
 import busio
@@ -8,12 +9,12 @@
 import adafruit_esp32spi.adafruit_esp32spi_socket as socket
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
+if os.getenv("ssid") is None or os.getenv("password") is None:
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password' in settings.toml. "
+        "Please add them there and try again."
+    )
 
 HOSTNAME = "esp32-spi-hostname-test"
 
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@
 print("Connecting to AP...")
 while not esp.is_connected:
     try:
-        esp.connect_AP(secrets["ssid"], secrets["password"])
+        esp.connect_AP(os.getenv("ssid"), os.getenv("password"))
     except OSError as e:
         print("could not connect to AP, retrying: ", e)
         continue
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_localtime.py b/examples/esp32spi_localtime.py
index 01dd93b..9157c3b 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_localtime.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_localtime.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import time
 import board
 import busio
@@ -10,12 +11,12 @@
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
+if os.getenv("ssid") is None or os.getenv("password") is None:
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password' in settings.toml. "
+        "Please add them there and try again."
+    )
 
 print("ESP32 local time")
 
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@
 )  # Uncomment for Most Boards
 """Uncomment below for ItsyBitsy M4"""
 # status_light = dotstar.DotStar(board.APA102_SCK, board.APA102_MOSI, 1, brightness=0.2)
-wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, secrets, status_light)
+wifi = adafruit_esp32spi_wifimanager.ESPSPI_WiFiManager(esp, status_light)
 
 the_rtc = rtc.RTC()
 
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_secrets.py b/examples/esp32spi_secrets.py
index 02b75eb..d82733a 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_secrets.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_secrets.py
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+# THIS FILE IS DEPRECATED.
+# Use settings.toml instead.
+
 # This file is where you keep secret settings, passwords, and tokens!
 # If you put them in the code you risk committing that info or sharing it
 
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_settings.toml b/examples/esp32spi_settings.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b31d73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_settings.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+# This file is where you keep secret settings, passwords, and tokens!
+# If you put them in the code you risk committing that info or sharing it
+
+# The file should be renamed to `settings.toml` and saved in the root of
+# the CIRCUITPY drive.
+
+ssid="yourssid"
+password="yourpassword"
+timezone="America/New_York"  # Check http://worldtimeapi.org/timezones
+aio_username="youraiousername"
+aio_key="youraiokey"
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_simpletest.py b/examples/esp32spi_simpletest.py
index 7e01ad6..be95ff0 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_simpletest.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_simpletest.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import board
 import busio
 from digitalio import DigitalInOut
@@ -8,12 +9,12 @@
 import adafruit_esp32spi.adafruit_esp32spi_socket as socket
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
+if os.getenv("ssid") is None or os.getenv("password") is None:
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password' in settings.toml. "
+        "Please add them there and try again."
+    )
 
 print("ESP32 SPI webclient test")
 
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@
 print("Connecting to AP...")
 while not esp.is_connected:
     try:
-        esp.connect_AP(secrets["ssid"], secrets["password"])
+        esp.connect_AP(os.getenv("ssid"), os.getenv("password"))
     except OSError as e:
         print("could not connect to AP, retrying: ", e)
         continue
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_simpletest_rp2040.py b/examples/esp32spi_simpletest_rp2040.py
index decd13e..2503cdd 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_simpletest_rp2040.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_simpletest_rp2040.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import board
 import busio
 from digitalio import DigitalInOut
@@ -8,12 +9,12 @@
 import adafruit_esp32spi.adafruit_esp32spi_socket as socket
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
+if os.getenv("ssid") is None or os.getenv("password") is None:
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password' in settings.toml. "
+        "Please add them there and try again."
+    )
 
 print("Raspberry Pi RP2040 - ESP32 SPI webclient test")
 
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@
 print("Connecting to AP...")
 while not esp.is_connected:
     try:
-        esp.connect_AP(secrets["ssid"], secrets["password"])
+        esp.connect_AP(os.getenv("ssid"), os.getenv("password"))
     except OSError as e:
         print("could not connect to AP, retrying: ", e)
         continue
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_tcp_client.py b/examples/esp32spi_tcp_client.py
index e635d0c..b0360ca 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_tcp_client.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_tcp_client.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
-from secrets import secrets  # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
+
 import board
 from digitalio import DigitalInOut
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 esp = adafruit_esp32spi.ESP_SPIcontrol(spi, esp32_cs, esp32_ready, esp32_reset)
 
 # connect to wifi AP
-esp.connect(secrets)
+esp.connect()
 
 # test for connectivity to server
 print("Server ping:", esp.ping(HOST), "ms")
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_udp_client.py b/examples/esp32spi_udp_client.py
index 176e7a8..416cab9 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_udp_client.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_udp_client.py
@@ -8,12 +8,8 @@
 from adafruit_esp32spi import adafruit_esp32spi
 import adafruit_esp32spi.adafruit_esp32spi_socket as socket
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+# Set wifi details and more from a settings.toml file
+
 
 TIMEOUT = 5
 # edit host and port to match server
@@ -29,7 +25,7 @@
 esp = adafruit_esp32spi.ESP_SPIcontrol(spi, esp32_cs, esp32_ready, esp32_reset)
 
 # connect to wifi AP
-esp.connect(secrets)
+esp.connect()
 
 # test for connectivity to server
 print("Server ping:", esp.ping(HOST), "ms")
diff --git a/examples/esp32spi_wpa2ent_aio_post.py b/examples/esp32spi_wpa2ent_aio_post.py
index 227bf91..6be1f90 100644
--- a/examples/esp32spi_wpa2ent_aio_post.py
+++ b/examples/esp32spi_wpa2ent_aio_post.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2019 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
 
+import os
 import time
 import board
 import busio
@@ -11,12 +12,16 @@
 
 print("ESP32 SPI WPA2 Enterprise webclient test")
 
-# Get wifi details and more from a secrets.py file
-try:
-    from secrets import secrets
-except ImportError:
-    print("WiFi secrets are kept in secrets.py, please add them there!")
-    raise
+if (
+    os.getenv("ssid") is None
+    or os.getenv("password") is None
+    or os.getenv("aio_username") is None
+    or os.getenv("aio_key") is None
+):
+    raise RuntimeError(
+        "Must provide 'ssid', 'password', 'aio_username' and 'aio_key'"
+        " in settings.toml. Please add them there and try again."
+    )
 
 # ESP32 setup
 # If your board does define the three pins listed below,
@@ -39,7 +44,7 @@
 """Uncomment below for ItsyBitsy M4"""
 # status_light = dotstar.DotStar(board.APA102_SCK, board.APA102_MOSI, 1, brightness=0.2)
 wifi = ESPSPI_WiFiManager(
-    esp, secrets, status_light, connection_type=ESPSPI_WiFiManager.ENTERPRISE
+    esp, status_light, connection_type=ESPSPI_WiFiManager.ENTERPRISE
 )
 
 counter = 0
@@ -52,12 +57,12 @@
         payload = {"value": data}
         response = wifi.post(
             "https://io.adafruit.com/api/v2/"
-            + secrets["aio_username"]
+            + os.getenv("aio_username")
             + "/feeds/"
             + feed
             + "/data",
             json=payload,
-            headers={"X-AIO-KEY": secrets["aio_key"]},
+            headers={"X-AIO-KEY": os.getenv("aio_key")},
         )
         print(response.json())
         response.close()