Install firmware updates via command line

Last updated October 08, 2024 15:13

The examples in this tutorial are written with firmware version 1.6.1 Keep in mind that the filenames will be different for each new firmware version.
You will need administrator rights on your computer to do this.

Before you install a firmware update that you downloaded yourself we recommend to verify the firmware update archive, as explained in this article: Verify firmware updates yourself.

Step 1 - Unpack the archive file of the update

This will result in a new folder with 6 files:

AdbWinApi.dll
AdbWinUsbApi.dll
2 .dll files that are required for Windows
fastboot-linux
fastboot-mac
fastboot-windows.exe
The fastboot files are used to enable communication between your computer and your ZERO. There is version for Linux, Mac and Windows.
zero-upgr-production-v1.6.1-1.rc.tar
This is an archive with the actual update files. Don’t unpack this.

Step 2 - Open the location where you unpacked the archive file of the update in a command line window

In Finder, select a folder, right-click it and select Services >> New Terminal at Folder.

On Ubuntu based systems you can select a folder, right-click on it, and then select Open in Terminal. The procedure may vary a bit on other Linux distros.

In the address bar of Windows Explorer, type cmd and press enter.

You can verify that you are in the correct location by displaying the content of the folder with this command:

ls -al

dir

This will show you the 6 files that you just unpacked and confirms that you are in the correct directory.

Step 3 - Connect your ZERO to your computer and activate update mode

Step 4 - In the command line window, double check that your ZERO is recognised

Use this command:

./fastboot-mac devices -l

If you don't have permission to run fastboot-mac, use this command:

chmod u+x ./fastboot-mac

./fastboot-linux devices -l

If you don't have permission to run fastboot-linux, use this command:

chmod u+x ./fastboot-linux

fastboot-windows devices -l

Something like this should show:

1.0.0. fastboot usb:1114112X

This confirms that your ZERO is found.

Step 5 - Now you can perform the update
Use this command:

./fastboot-mac sfu zero-upgr-production-v1.6.1-1.rc.tar

./fastboot-linux sfu zero-upgr-production-v1.6.1-1.rc.tar

fastboot-windows sfu zero-upgr-production-v1.6.1-1.rc.tar

This will install the update on your ZERO. This may take 5-10 minutes to complete.
DO NOT unplug your ZERO while this is running.

When you see the command prompt again, the firmware update is finished. The output will look like this:

Sending 'zero-upgr-production-v1.6.1-1.rc.tar' (114710 KB)	OKAY [ 25.931s]
program package					(bootloader) sfu init
program package                                    (bootloader) sfu init
(bootloader) sfu update
(bootloader) sfu final
OKAY [223.164s]
Finished. Total time: 294.116s

Now you can turn off your ZERO by pressing the power button for 5 seconds. When you start it up again, you can verify which firmware version you're running via Settings >> About this device.

Related articles