Update firmware over the air (OTA)

IntermediateMeshtasticMeshCoreAbout 20 minutes

You'll need

• A phone
• The right firmware file for your exact device
• A fully charged node

OTA can brick a node

Meshtastic’s docs warn that if an over-the-air update fails, “your device will be left in a non-working state.” If you can reach the node with a USB cable, that’s the safer way.

Meshtastic on nRF52 (RAK and similar)

OTA works on OTA-capable nRF52 devices from RAK; older T-Echo bootloaders don’t support it.

1. Download and unzip the firmware, and find the file ending in -ota.zip for your device.
2. Android: use nRF Connect version 4.24.3 (the docs say the current nRF DFU app doesn’t work with Meshtastic). Connect to the node in the Scanner tab, tap the DFU icon, choose “Distribution Packet (ZIP)” and pick the -ota.zip file.
3. Apple: use the nRF Device Firmware Update app, select the file, connect and upload. Keep the phone awake. If it fails, enable “Packets Receipt Notification” and lower “Number of Packets” (for example, to 5).
4. Wait. It’s slow, and the node reboots when done.

MeshCore

According to the MeshCore FAQ:

• nRF52 devices: send the start ota command, then update with the nRF DFU app.
• ESP32 devices: the node opens a “MeshCore OTA” Wi-Fi hotspot that you connect to for the update.

Check the FAQ’s OTA section for the current steps before you start.

Sources

Checked on October 18, 2026.

1. meshtastic.org/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/ota
2. github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore/blob/main/docs/faq.md