Seamless OTA Firmware Update: MeshCore RAK4631 to 1.12 via Bluetooth

We are excited to share a successful method for upgrading MeshCore 1.11 RAK4631 repeater nodes to the latest 1.12 firmware wirelessly via Bluetooth. This process, facilitated by the MTools application (available on both Android and iOS), streamlines firmware maintenance without requiring physical cable connections.

Pre-requisites

• A MeshCore RAK4631 node (Repeater) running 1.11.
• Latest MTools BLE app installed on your iOS or Android device.
• Target firmware file (1.12).

Step-by-Step Update Guide

1. Activate DFU Mode

Before initiating the update, the node must be placed into Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. This is a critical step:

1. Connect to your repeater node via serial/USB.
2. Enter the Command Line Interface (CLI) mode.
3. Execute the command: start ota

2. Configure MTools Connection

Open the MTools application on your phone and prepare the connection:

• Select Node Type: Ensure you choose the correct node category.
• Select Hardware Type: Verify that RAK4631 is selected to match your hardware.
• Connect: Initiate the Bluetooth connection to your DFU-enabled node.

3. The Update Process

Once connected, proceed with the firmware file transfer. Please Note: This process requires patience.

• Initialization: It may take 1-2 minutes for the process to fully commence after connection.
• Transfer: The file transfer itself typically takes around 5 minutes via Bluetooth LE. Do not interrupt the process or close the app during this time.

Acknowledgments & Resources

A special thank you to Discord community member NerdHerder for researching and sharing this effective workflow.

Technical Reference:
For those interested in the official documentation, you can refer to the MeshCore GitHub FAQ.

Download MTools:
MTools BLE is available for both Android and iOS.
Download MTools App