OTA Firmware Update
If you’re using an Android device you can update the firmware on your RAK 4631 based node over Bluetooth. This is perfect for nodes installed in hard to reach locations.
To get started you need to install the nRF Device Firmware Update app from the Google Play store. Next, you want to obtain the correct OTA firmware file for your device from the Meshtastic Github Repository. Once at the Github site, locate the “Releases” section and select the “Meshtastic Firmware …” link if you want to install the most recent beta. If you want another version, select the “releases” link below that. On the releases page locate the “firmware-nrf52840-(version).zip” file and download it to your computer. Unzip the file and locate the “firmware-rak4631-(version)-ota.zip” file and copy this your phone.
When you open the nRF DFU program, go into the settings and adjust the following items (posted by one of the devs on the Meshtastic Discord server):
- 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
From there, get in Bluetooth range of your node, select the firmware file, the device you want to update and click “Start”. The app should connect with your device and update the firmware. This could take up to 5 or 10 minutes, but it beats climbing up on a roof and disassembling your node.
Disclaimer: use at your own risk - this has worked for me, but I can guarantee it will work for you.