What firmware is
Firmware is the built-in software that makes a device run. Your phone has an operating system you update regularly; a smart plug, camera, speaker or thermostat has firmware doing the same job in a smaller package. Because it is less visible, it is easy to forget that it exists.
Makers release firmware updates for several reasons: to fix bugs, add features, improve connection reliability, and close security flaws once they are discovered. Security flaws are the main reason to care. Once a weakness is publicly known and a fix exists, any device that has not installed the fix stays exposed to it.
Why updates matter for connected gadgets
Every connected device on your network is a possible entry point. Unlike a laptop, many gadgets have no antivirus program or warning pop-ups, so the update is often the only protection the maker can deliver after sale. The same reasoning is behind advice about phone software updates, and it applies equally to a doorbell or a speaker.
Keep expectations realistic. An updated device is not guaranteed to be safe, and some updates change settings or features. But running current software is one of the most reliable ways to reduce risk, and it costs little.
How to find updates
Methods vary from product to product and menus change, so look for these general patterns.
Automatic updates. Many devices and apps have an option for automatic or scheduled updates. If one exists, it is usually worth turning on, since it removes the need to remember. Some devices install updates overnight and restart themselves.
The companion app. Most smart devices are managed through a phone app. Look in the device’s settings for terms such as firmware, software version, about, device information or check for updates. The app often shows the current version and tells you if a newer one exists.
The device’s own settings page. Some cameras, hubs and network storage drives have a web page or on-screen menu with a system or maintenance section. Updates may be listed there.
The manufacturer’s support site. Search for your exact model on the maker’s support or downloads page. It may list the latest firmware version, release notes and a support or end-of-life statement. Only download firmware from the maker’s official site or app, never from a link in an email or a third-party download page. Fake update prompts are a known trick, and the advice about safe software downloads applies here too.
Notifications and emails. Some makers email you about important updates. Watch for these, but be cautious of messages that urge you to click a link; go to the app or the official site yourself instead.
Make updating a habit
A short routine works better than occasional bursts of effort.
- Make a simple list of your connected devices: what they are, who made them and where updates are found. Your router may show a connected device list that helps you spot anything you forgot.
- Turn on automatic updates wherever they are offered.
- Every few months, open each app and check for pending updates on devices that do not update themselves.
- After a power cut or a long period offline, check again, because some devices miss updates while disconnected.
- Don’t ignore update notices in the app. Postponing “until later” often turns into months.
Updating the hub or router matters too. The article on router firmware updates covers the device that sits in front of everything else on the network.
Before you install
Updates usually go smoothly, but a few precautions help:
- Keep the device powered and connected for the whole process. Interrupting an update can leave it unusable.
- Read the release notes if they are provided, especially if the update removes or changes features.
- If a device controls something important, such as a lock or alarm, avoid updating it at a critical moment, and make sure you know how to use the manual alternative.
- After the update, check that your settings, schedules and passwords were kept. It is a good moment to confirm the default login was replaced; see the article on connected device passwords.
When a device stops receiving updates
Sooner or later, many devices reach the end of their support. The maker may stop issuing security fixes, close its cloud service, or go out of business. Signs include no new firmware for a long time, a support page marking the model as discontinued or “end of life,” or an app that is no longer maintained.
An unsupported device is not necessarily dangerous overnight, but any flaws found afterward will stay unfixed. Reasonable steps include:
- Reduce its exposure. Put it on a guest network, away from computers and phones, and turn off remote access you don’t need.
- Limit what it can do. Disable cameras, microphones or cloud features that are not essential, and remove the device from accounts you no longer need linked.
- Use strong credentials. Make sure it has a unique password, not the factory one.
- Consider replacing it, particularly if it has a camera or microphone, or controls something sensitive. Weigh the value of the gadget against the risk, and check the new product’s support commitments before buying.
- Retire it properly. When it is time to dispose of or sell the device, follow the steps in the article on smart device resets so your account and data do not travel with it.