Node / meshtastic / Meshtastic-Android / files / docs / ht-rHT / user / firmware.md

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---

title: Firmware Updates

parent: User Guide

nav_order: 13

last_updated: 2026-07-07

description: Update your radio firmware over Bluetooth or USB — OTA process, version channels, pre-flight checks, and recovery.

aliases:

Tff7b72- firmware

Tff7b72- update

Tff7b72- ota

Tc9d1d9 - flash

Tc9d1d9---

Tc9d1d9# Firmware Updates

Keep your Meshtastic radio up to date with the latest firmware for new features, bug fixes, and security improvements.

Tc9d1d9## Checking for Updates

Tff7b721. Open the connected radio's configuration and, under **Advanced**, tap **Firmware Update**. The entry appears only for OTA-capable devices.

Tff7b722. The app checks for available firmware versions.

Tff7b723. Available updates show the version number and changelog summary.

Tc9d1d9## Update Methods

Tc9d1d9### OTA (Over-The-Air) via Bluetooth

The most common update method for Android users:

Tff7b721. Ensure your radio is connected via Bluetooth.

Tff7b722. Navigate to the Firmware Update screen.

Tff7b723. Select the desired firmware version.

Tff7b724. Tap **Update** to begin the OTA process.

Tff7b725. Wait for the update to complete — **do not disconnect** during the update.


Tff7b72> ⚠️ **Warning:** Interrupting a firmware update can brick your device. Ensure your radio has sufficient battery (>50% recommended) and maintain Bluetooth proximity during the entire process.


Tc9d1d9### In-App USB Update

When your radio is connected over **USB/serial** (rather than Bluetooth), the Firmware Update screen offers **USB File Transfer**. The app reboots the device into DFU mode, then prompts you to save the Ta5d6ff`.uf2` file to the device's DFU drive using the system file picker. This option appears only on a USB/serial connection — it is not available over Bluetooth.

Tff7b72> ℹ️ **nRF bootloader note:** A vendor bootloader supplied as a `.zip` (e.g. RAK WisBlock RAK4631) has to be flashed with a serial DFU tool such as `adafruit-nrfutil` — copying that `.zip` to the drive won't work. A bootloader supplied as an `update-....uf2` **can** be installed by copying it to the drive; that is how the app's own bootloader upgrade works. The app surfaces a hint when the serial-only route applies.

Tc9d1d9### Factory Erase and Bootloader Upgrade

On a **USB/serial** connection, nRF52 and RP2040 devices also offer **Erase and reinstall** and, where an upgraded bootloader is published for the board, **Upgrade bootloader**.

Erasing wipes everything on the device — channels, keys and all settings — and there is no backup, so the app asks for confirmation first. Both operations write two files in turn, so you will be asked to select the device's update drive twice: once for the erase or bootloader image, then again for the firmware.

The app reads Ta5d6ff`INFO_UF2.TXT` from the drive you select to confirm it really is the device's update drive and to identify the board before writing anything. If it can't confirm which Bluetooth stack your device uses it refuses to erase and points you at the [Tff7b72Web Flasher](Te6edf3https://flasher.meshtastic.org) instead — picking wrong there can leave the device needing a hardware programmer to recover.

Tc9d1d9### Other Flashing Options

For recovery or when neither OTA nor in-app USB is available:

Tff7b72- Use the [Tff7b72Meshtastic Web Flasher](Te6edf3https://flasher.meshtastic.org)

Tff7b72- Or the [Tff7b72Meshtastic CLI tool](Te6edf3https://meshtastic.org/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware) on desktop

Tc9d1d9## Version Channels

| kanal | Deskripsyon |

| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Stable | Recommended for most users; tested releases |

| Alpha | Preview releases; may contain bugs |

| Local File | Flash a firmware file you select yourself, instead of a downloaded release |

Tc9d1d9## Pre-Update Checklist

Before updating:

Tff7b72- Tff7b72[ ] Battery > 50%

Tff7b72- Tff7b72[ ] Stable Bluetooth connection

Tff7b72- Tff7b72[ ] Note your current settings (they may reset on major version changes)

Tff7b72- Tff7b72[ ] Check the release notes for breaking changes

Tc9d1d9## Post-Update

After the firmware is written, the app verifies the update and waits for the device to come back online:


Once the update succeeds:

Tff7b72- The radio will reboot automatically

Tff7b72- Bluetooth connection will re-establish

Tff7b72- Verify your settings are intact

Tff7b72- Confirm the new version under **Currently Installed** on the Firmware Update screen — it's also shown on the node's detail page and the Connections screen


Tc9d1d9## Troubleshooting

Tc9d1d9### Update Stuck

If the update appears frozen:

Tff7b72- Wait at least 5 minutes before intervening

Tff7b72- If truly stuck, power-cycle the radio

Tff7b72- Attempt the update again


Tc9d1d9### Device Won't Boot After Update

If your device fails to boot:

Tff7b721. Try connecting via USB to a computer

Tff7b722. Use the web flasher in recovery/DFU mode

Tff7b723. Flash a known-good firmware version

Tff7b724. Check the Meshtastic Discord for device-specific recovery steps

Tc9d1d9### Compatibility Warnings

The app may show warnings when:

Tff7b72- Connected radio firmware is below minimum supported version

Tff7b72- Major version mismatch between app and firmware

Tff7b72- Deprecated features need migration

Tff7b72> ⚠️ **Important:** Always update the Meshtastic app before or alongside firmware updates to ensure compatibility.

Tc9d1d9## Related Topics

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Connections](Te6edf3connections) — reconnecting after a firmware update

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Flashing firmware guide](Te6edf3https://meshtastic.org/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware) — full firmware flashing walkthrough on meshtastic.org

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72Supported devices](Te6edf3https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices) — check firmware compatibility by device

Tff7b72- [Tff7b72FAQ](Te6edf3https://meshtastic.org/docs/faq/) — common questions on meshtastic.org

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