LF Audio | Help Center

Firmware Updates

advanced

The RTC supports over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates for both itself and the connected base station. Updates are downloaded over WiFi from LF Audio's update servers and installed automatically.

Updating the RTC

When Connected to a Base Station

If the RTC is connected to a base station, the update uses the base station's WiFi credentials automatically:

  1. Long-press the screen or encoder button to open the menu
  2. Select Advanced
  3. Select FW Update
  4. The RTC connects to the base station's WiFi network, checks for a newer firmware version, and downloads it if available
  5. Progress is shown on screen as a percentage
  6. Once the download and installation are complete, the RTC automatically restarts with the new firmware

When Not Connected to a Base Station

You can update the RTC's firmware even without a base station connection. The RTC will try to connect using saved WiFi credentials, or guide you through selecting a network:

  1. Long-press the screen or encoder button to open the menu
  2. Select Advanced
  3. Select FW Update
  4. The RTC tries to connect in this order:
    • Cached base station WiFi — credentials saved automatically from previous connected updates
    • Saved custom networks — up to 5 networks you've connected to before (most recent first)
    • WiFi discovery wizard — if no saved credentials work, the wizard opens to let you select a network
  5. The update proceeds the same as a connected update

WiFi Discovery Wizard

If the RTC needs to connect to a new WiFi network for updates, the WiFi discovery wizard walks you through the process:

  1. The RTC scans for available WiFi networks
  2. A list of detected networks appears, sorted by signal strength
    • Networks you have previously saved are marked with a star
    • Select Enter Manually at the bottom to type in a hidden network name
  3. Select a network from the list
  4. Enter the WiFi password using the character wheel — rotate the encoder or swipe to select characters, then press the encoder or tap to confirm each one
  5. The RTC connects to the network and begins the update
Tip

The RTC remembers up to 5 WiFi networks. When you successfully update using a new network, it is saved automatically for future use.

Managing Saved WiFi Networks

You can view and manage your saved WiFi credentials in Settings > WiFi:

  • View your saved networks and the cached base station WiFi
  • Remove individual saved networks
  • Add a new network manually
  • Clear the cached base station WiFi credentials
Note

The RTC needs a WiFi network with internet access to download firmware updates. If the RTC connects to a WiFi network but cannot reach the update server, it will display a "no internet access" message — try a different network.

During the Update

  • The screen shows the current status message and download progress
  • Do not power off the RTC or base station during the update
  • The update process typically completes within a few minutes depending on your WiFi speed
  • If the update takes longer than expected, a safety timeout will automatically stop the process so you can retry

If the Update Fails

  • The RTC will display an error message explaining what went wrong
  • Common issues include WiFi connectivity problems or being unable to reach the update server
  • You can safely retry the update — a failed update does not affect the currently installed firmware
  • Make sure you are within range of your WiFi network and that the network has internet access

Updating the Base Station

You can also trigger a firmware update for the connected base station directly from the RTC:

  1. Make sure the RTC is connected to the base station (you should see the main volume screen)
  2. Long-press to open the menu
  3. Select Advanced
  4. Select Update Base
  5. The RTC sends an update request to the base station
  6. The base station will then handle its own update process — connecting to WiFi, downloading, and installing
  7. The RTC monitors and displays the base station's update progress
Warning

Do not power off the base station during its firmware update. Wait for the process to fully complete.

Checking Your Current Version

You can view the RTC's firmware and hardware versions in System Info from the main menu. To check the base station's firmware version, open Base Info from the main menu.

How Updates Work

The RTC checks for updates by connecting to LF Audio's cloud update server. The server provides a manifest listing the latest available firmware versions. If a newer version is available, the firmware binary is downloaded and installed. The RTC verifies the download before applying it to ensure the firmware is valid.

The LF Audio AuralSync app also shows firmware changelogs so you can see what's new in each update.