We release updates to the Spotter firmware periodically. By keeping the firmware on your Spotter(s) up to date, you’ll always have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and critical fixes.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to find and update your Spotter’s firmware version and get access to release notes and downloads for new and historical firmware updates.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sofar Support Team.

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Table of Contents

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How to find your Spotter’s firmware version

You can easily find your Spotter’s current firmware version in the Spotter Dashboard.

  1. Go to https://spotter.sofarocean.com.

  2. Enter your username and password to sign into the Spotter Dashboard.

  3. Select a Spotter by clicking either the applicable Spotter card or the corresponding yellow icon in the map.

    Firmware_Dashboard_selecting Spotter.png

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    Note: If you can’t see the Spotter cards in your current Dashboard view, you can click the toggle button in the top-left corner of the map to open them up again.

    Toggle Spotter Cards.png

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  4. Click More data to open the Spotter Details view.

    Firmware_Dashboard_More data.png

  5. Click Status to switch to the Status tab.

  6. The current firmware version of the Spotter you selected, as of its most recent check-in with the Dashboard, will be displayed in the Firmware section of the Status tab.

    Firmware_Dashboard_New dashboard view.png

How to update your Spotter’s firmware

Generally, Spotter firmware can be updated via Over-the-Air (OTA) or USB.

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If you have a legacy platform Spotter (any Spotters with 4-digit Spotter IDs, e.g., SPOT-1220), you will need to contact the Sofar Support Team to inquire about updating the firmware to the final legacy version (v1.12.0).

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Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates

OTA updates are only available for Spotter devices that meet the following criteria:

✅ firmware version v2.2.x or later

✅ active cellular line

✅ active cellular connection

If your Spotter device fulfills all requirements and you would like Sofar to initiate an OTA update on your Spotter, send an email request to the Sofar Support Team with the Spotter ID and current firmware version.

USB installer firmware updates

All Spotters with Spotter IDs starting with 3 (e.g., SPOT-30973C) can be updated via USB. You will need:

✅ your Spotter

✅ a USB-C data and charging cable, preferably the one provided with your Spotter

✅ a computer with an active internet connection (or the firmware package already downloaded)

✅ the administrative credentials for the computer you will be using

Instructions for macOS

Instructions for Linux

Instructions for Windows