We release updates to the Spotter firmware periodically. See Spotter Firmware Releases for an overview of all Spotter firmware releases.

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.

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Table of Contents

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A note on legacy Spotters, e.g., Spotters with 4-digit Spotter IDs like SPOT-1234

This guide describes how to update the firmware on current-generation Spotters. For help updating the firmware on a legacy Spotter **to the final legacy version (v1.12.0), contact the Sofar Support Team. Be sure to include the Spotter ID in your email!

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Check your Spotter’s firmware status

1. In the Spotter Dashboard, find your Spotter in the Spotter map.

2. Click More data to open the Spotter Details view and then click Status to switch to the Status tab.

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   Looking for a shortcut? Enter the following URL into the address bar. Just replace the X’s with the actual Spotter ID:

   spotter.sofarocean.com/spotter/SPOT-**XXXXXX**?#status

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3. Scroll down to the System section and look under Firmware. The current firmware version of the Spotter you selected, as of its most recent check-in with the Dashboard, will be displayed there.

   

4. If a firmware update is available, there will be a callout below the current firmware version.

   

   Example callout.

Follow the recommended update path

The callout in the Status tab of the Dashboard describes how to update your Spotter. Follow the recommendations tailored to your Spotter:

• If the callout recommends a remote over-the-air update: You can start the update from the Dashboard. Follow the Remote over-the-air update instructions.

  

  Example callout. Update Spotter remotely over-the-air.

• If the callout recommends a USB installer update: Follow the USB installer update instructions.

  

  Example callout. Update Spotter via USB installer.

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In some cases, you may be able to unlock remote over-the-air firmware updates by doing something like switching from IDLE to RUN mode, enabling cellular telemetry, or charging your Spotter. If so, the Dashboard callout will prompt you to take that action. After you do, refresh the Status tab and follow the updated recommendations. If you are unable to take the recommended action, you can update via USB installer.

Example callout. User must enable cellular telemetry to unlock remote over-the-air updates.

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Remote over-the-air update

1. In the Status tab under Firmware, click Get started.

   

2. In the pop-up, click Start update.

   

3. The firmware update’s progress is displayed on the page.

   

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   Do not make any changes to your Spotter or its settings while the update is in progress.

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4. Upon completion of the update, the outcome is displayed on the page.

   1. Successful → The current firmware version is updated, and there is a “Firmware update successful” message.

      

   2. Unsuccessful, can be retried → The current firmware version is unchanged, and there is an orange alert message above the callout. Follow the updated instructions in the callout to retry updating the Spotter’s firmware.

      

   3. Unsuccessful, support required → The current firmware version is unchanged, and there is a red alert message. Contact the Sofar Support Team for help troubleshooting.

      

USB installer update

The installation process depends on which firmware version your Spotter is currently running. To find your Spotter’s current firmware version, see Check your Spotter’s firmware status. Then click the link below that corresponds to that firmware version to open the applicable instructions.

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Spotters running v2.15.6 or lower

Firmware v2.15.7 Installation Instructions

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