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📻 Meshtastic Firmware Update Guide

This guide provides instructions for updating firmware on various Meshtastic-compatible devices.

📑 Table of Contents

📋 Prerequisites

Before beginning any firmware update, ensure you have:

  • 🔌 A USB data cable (not just a charging cable)
  • 🌐 For web flasher: A compatible browser (Chrome or Edge recommended)
  • 💻 For CLI updates: The latest version of the Meshtastic CLI installed
  • 📥 The appropriate firmware file for your device from the Meshtastic releases page
  • 🐍 For wired updates with CLI: Python 3.x and esptool
  • 📱 For OTA updates: An Android device with Bluetooth capabilities

🌐 Using the Web Flasher

The easiest way to update firmware on most Meshtastic devices is using the browser-based flasher tool:

  1. 🔌 Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable
  2. 🖥️ Visit flasher.meshtastic.org in a WebUSB compatible browser (Chrome or Edge recommended)
  3. 📋 Select your device type from the dropdown menu:
    • 🔍 Auto-detect option: The web flasher can automatically detect many common device types - look for “Auto” or “Auto-detect” at the top of the device selection dropdown
    • If auto-detection doesn’t work, manually select your specific device model
  4. 🔄 Choose the firmware version you want to install:
    • ✅ Select “Release” for stable firmware
    • 🧪 Select “Alpha” for testing new features (may be unstable)
    • 🎛️ Select “Custom” if you have a specific firmware file to upload
  5. 🔗 Click “Connect” and select your device from the popup dialog:
    • On Windows: You’ll see your device listed with a COM port (e.g., “USB Serial Device (COM3)”)
    • On macOS: You’ll see your device with a /dev identifier (e.g., “usbmodem1101”)
    • On Linux: You’ll see your device with a /dev/ttyUSB or /dev/ttyACM identifier
    • Select the appropriate device from this list
  6. ⚡ Click “Flash” to begin the update process:
    • The screen will show detailed progress information
    • 🔄 DFU Mode Prompt: Some devices may need to enter Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode during flashing
    • If prompted to enter DFU mode, follow the on-screen instructions which typically involve:
      • Pressing and holding specific button combinations on your device
      • For most ESP32 devices: Hold the BOOT button while pressing and releasing RESET
      • The web flasher will display specific instructions for your device model
    • Once in DFU mode, the flashing process will continue automatically
  7. ⏳ Wait for the process to complete - you’ll see a progress bar and log messages
  8. 🎉 Once finished, your device will automatically reboot with the new firmware

Note: The web flasher requires a browser that supports WebUSB, which is currently only Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers. Firefox and Safari are not supported.

✨ Advantages of the Web Flasher:

  • 📥 No software installation required
  • 🔍 Auto-detection of device types
  • 🙂 User-friendly interface
  • 💻 Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS
  • 🤖 Automatically handles bootloader mode for many devices
  • 📱 Interactive guidance for entering DFU mode when needed

** Video: **

📡 Updating RAK19007/19003 Nodes

The RAK19007 and RAK19003 can be updated using the following method:

  1. 🔌 Connect your RAK device to your computer using a USB cable

  2. 🔍 Identify the correct serial port:

    • Windows: Check Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT)
    • macOS: Run ls /dev/cu.* in Terminal
    • Linux: Run ls /dev/ttyUSB* in Terminal

  3. 🔄 Put the device in bootloader mode:

    • Press and hold the BOOT button
    • Press and release the RESET button
    • Release the BOOT button

  4. ⚡ Flash the firmware using Meshtastic CLI:

meshtastic --device [PORT] --flash [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE]

Replace [PORT] with your device’s serial port (e.g., COM3 on Windows or /dev/ttyUSB0 on Linux) and [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE] with the path to your downloaded firmware file.

Alternatively, you can use esptool directly:

esptool.py --port [PORT] --baud 921600 write_flash 0x10000 [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE]
  1. 🔄 After flashing is complete, press the RESET button to restart the device with the new firmware.

Note: The Web Flasher method described earlier is often easier and recommended for most users updating RAK devices.

📟 Updating Heltec Nodes

Heltec devices (like the Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V2) can be updated with these steps:

  1. 🔌 Connect your Heltec device to your computer via USB

  2. 🔍 Identify the serial port as described in the RAK section above

  3. 🔄 Put the device in bootloader mode:

    • Press and hold both the PROG and RESET buttons
    • Release the RESET button
    • Release the PROG button

  4. ⚡ Flash the firmware using Meshtastic CLI:

meshtastic --device [PORT] --flash [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE]

Alternatively, use esptool:

esptool.py --chip esp32 --port [PORT] --baud 921600 write_flash 0x10000 [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE]
  1. 🔄 Press the RESET button after flashing completes.

🛰️ Updating Seedstudio T1000E

The Seedstudio T1000E follows a similar update process:

  1. 🔌 Connect the T1000E to your computer via USB
  2. 🔍 Identify the serial port
  3. 🔄 Enter bootloader mode (consult your device documentation for the exact button combination)
  4. ⚡ Flash the firmware using the Meshtastic CLI:
meshtastic --device [PORT] --flash [PATH_TO_FIRMWARE]
  1. 🔄 After flashing completes, reset the device.

For more detailed instructions, visit the Get Started with T1000-E Tracker

📱 Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates for RAK Nodes

⚠️ ADVANCED USERS ONLY: This procedure requires technical knowledge and carries risks including potential device bricking if interrupted. Beginners should use the Web Flasher method.

RAK devices with the RAK4631 chipset (nRF52840-based) can be updated over Bluetooth using an Android device. This method is perfect for nodes installed in hard-to-reach locations where physical access is difficult.

📲 Using the nRF Device Firmware Update App

  1. 📥 Install the Required App:

  2. 📥 Obtain the Correct Firmware:

    • Visit the Meshtastic Github Repository
    • For the latest beta: Select the “Meshtastic Firmware…” link at the top
    • For older versions: Select the “releases” link below that
    • Download the “firmware-nrf52840-(version).zip” file to your computer
    • Unzip the file and locate the “firmware-rak4631-(version)-ota.zip” file
    • Transfer this file to your Android phone

  3. ⚙️ Configure nRF DFU App Settings:

    • Open the nRF DFU app
    • Go to Settings (gear icon)
    • Configure the following settings (recommended by Meshtastic developers): 
      Packets receipt notification: On
Number of packets: 5
Reboot time: 5000ms
Scan timeout: 10000ms
Request high MTU: Off
Disable resume: Off
Prepare object delay: 500ms
Force scanning: Off
Keep bond: On
External MCU DFU: Off
    • These specific settings help ensure a successful update process

  4. 🔄 Perform the OTA Update:

    • Get within Bluetooth range of your RAK node (within 2-3 meters)
    • In the nRF DFU app, select the firmware file you transferred to your phone
    • The app will scan for available devices
    • Select your RAK node from the list of discovered devices
    • Click “Start” to begin the update process

  5. ⏳ Update Process:

    • Keep your Android device near the RAK node during the entire update
    • The process may take 5-10 minutes to complete
    • Do not close the app or let your phone screen turn off
    • The app will display progress information during the update
    • Once complete, the device will automatically reboot with the new firmware

⚠️ Important Notes for OTA Updates

  • 🚨 This process is for advanced users who understand the risks involved
  • 🔋 Ensure your RAK device has sufficient battery power (at least 50% recommended)
  • 📶 Do not move the Android device away from the RAK node during the update
  • ⚠️ Interrupting the update process may render your device unusable
  • 📱 Keep your phone screen on during the entire update process
  • 🔄 If the update fails, you may need to retry or fall back to the wired update method
  • 🌐 This method only works with RAK devices that use the nRF52840 chipset (RAK4631-based nodes)
  • 📡 The device may show as “Offline” in your mesh network during the update process

⚠️ Disclaimer: Use OTA updates at your own risk. While this method has worked for many users, we cannot guarantee it will work in all situations. If your device is mission-critical or difficult to physically access should something go wrong, consider using the more reliable wired update methods described earlier in this guide.

🔍 Troubleshooting OTA Updates

  • If the update fails to start, try restarting both the node and your phone
  • Ensure no other apps are connected to your Meshtastic device during the update
  • If you can’t see your device in the scan list, make sure it’s powered on and within range
  • For persistent issues, verify you’re using the correct firmware file specifically for OTA updates
  • The OTA zip file must be the one specifically prepared for OTA updating, not the regular firmware file

For more detailed instructions, visit the PV Mesh OTA Update Guide

🔧 Troubleshooting

🚨 Common Issues and Solutions

  1. 🔎 Device Not Detected:

    • Try a different USB cable
    • Try a different USB port
    • Install or update device drivers

  2. ❌ Flashing Fails:

    • Ensure the device is in bootloader mode
    • Try a lower baud rate (e.g., 115200 instead of 921600)
    • Make sure you’re using the correct firmware for your device

  3. 📱 OTA Update Fails:

    • Ensure your Android device and RAK node are close to each other
    • Check that both devices have sufficient battery power
    • Try disconnecting and reconnecting before attempting again
    • Verify your OTA app settings match the recommended configuration
    • Try disabling battery optimization for the update app
    • For nRF DFU app: Make sure you’re using the correct -ota.zip file

  4. 🔄 Device Doesn’t Boot After Update:

    • Perform a factory reset by holding the appropriate buttons for your device
    • Re-flash using the wired method

  5. 🌐 Web Flasher Issues:

    • Make sure you’re using Chrome or Edge browser
    • Try different USB ports or cables
    • If the device isn’t recognized, manually put it in bootloader mode
    • If prompted to enter DFU mode but can’t get it to work, try manually entering bootloader mode first, then reconnect
    • Clear browser cache and try again
    • If auto-detection fails, try selecting your device model manually

  6. 🔄 DFU Mode Issues:

    • If your device won’t enter DFU mode, try different button combinations
    • Some devices require timing the button presses precisely
    • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable before attempting again
    • Check that you’re using a data-capable USB cable, not just a power cable

📚 Additional Resources

🔄 Last updated: 2025-09-11