{"id":370,"date":"2026-01-30T00:45:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T00:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/?p=370"},"modified":"2026-01-30T00:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T00:58:08","slug":"rak4631-firmware-update-bluetooth-iphone-ipad-android","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/?p=370","title":{"rendered":"RAK4631 Over the Air Firmware Update (Bluetooth \u2013 iPhone, iPad & Android)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

RAK4631 Firmware Update (Bluetooth \u2013 iPhone, iPad & Android)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

You can update a RAK4631<\/strong> over Bluetooth using a smartphone. The steps are slightly different for Apple<\/strong> and Android<\/strong>, but the overall process is the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

This method has been successfully used outdoors to update a node mounted about 60 feet up a tower<\/strong>. Bluetooth range will be shorter indoors.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Before You Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • The update takes several minutes<\/strong> (sometimes up to 10)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Stay close to the device<\/strong> during the update<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Keep your phone awake<\/strong> (don\u2019t let the screen lock)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Make sure the Meshtastic app is closed<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    What You\u2019ll Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • A smartphone with Bluetooth<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A firmware file downloaded from the Meshtastic website or GitHub
      (you\u2019ll be looking for a file that ends with -ota.zip<\/code><\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A DFU app (depends on your phone type)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      iPhone \/ iPad (iOS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Install the nRF Device Firmware Update<\/strong> app from the App Store<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Download the firmware and unzip it<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Open the nRF DFU app<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Select the file that ends with -ota.zip<\/code><\/strong> (for RAK4631)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Connect to your device<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Open Settings<\/strong> in the app:\n
          \n
        • Turn on Packet Receipt Notification<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Set Number of Packets<\/strong> to 10<\/strong> (try 5<\/strong> if it fails)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Tap Upload<\/strong> and wait for it to finish<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          Android<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Install nRF Connect (version 4.24.3)<\/strong>
            (This older version is required and is available from Nordic Semiconductor\u2019s GitHub)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Download the firmware and unzip it<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Open nRF Connect<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. On the SCANNER<\/strong> tab, find your device and tap CONNECT<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Tap the DFU icon<\/strong> in the top-right corner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Confirm \u201cDistribution Packet (ZIP)\u201d<\/strong>, then tap OK<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          7. Select the file that ends with -ota.zip<\/code><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          8. The update will start automatically \u2014 wait for it to finish<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            After the Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • The device will restart on its own<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Once it comes back online, the update is complete<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              If Something Goes Wrong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Keep calm \u2014 this is normal sometimes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • The device will switch to a recovery mode automatically<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Connect it to a computer with a USB cable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Reinstall the firmware using flash.meshtastic.org<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n\n

                Helpful Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • Don\u2019t let your phone lock or switch apps<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Stay close for the best Bluetooth connection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • If the update fails, retry with a lower packet setting (iOS) or use USB<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  RAK4631 Firmware Update (Bluetooth \u2013 iPhone, iPad & Android) You can update a RAK4631 over Bluetooth using a smartphone. The steps are slightly different for Apple and Android, but the overall process is the same. This method has been successfully used outdoors to update a node mounted about 60 feet up a tower. Bluetooth range […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-meshtastic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=370"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":374,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/370\/revisions\/374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kb.w8par.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}