Firmware update guide
This guide explains how to update the Veetr sailing dashboard firmware to the latest version.
🔄 Automatic Update (Recommended)
The easiest way to update your firmware is through the web dashboard’s built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) update feature:
- Connect to your ESP32 via Bluetooth in the web dashboard
- Go to Settings → Firmware Update
- Click “Check for Updates”
- If a newer version is available, click “Update Firmware”
- Wait for the update to complete (do not disconnect during this process)
📦 Manual Installation
If the automatic update doesn’t work or you prefer manual installation:
Understanding the Files
When you download a release, you’ll see several files:
veetr-X.X.X.bin- The firmware binary to flash to your ESP32veetr-X.X.X.elf- Debug symbols file (only needed for development/debugging crashes)firmware-info.json- Build metadata (version, date, size, etc.)
For normal users: You only need the .bin file.
Option 1: Using ESPTool (Recommended)
-
Download the latest firmware from the releases page
-
Install ESPTool if you haven’t already:
Terminal window pip install esptool -
Connect your ESP32 to your computer via USB
-
Flash the firmware:
Terminal window esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x10000 veetr-X.X.X.binNote: Replace
/dev/ttyUSB0with your actual port (on Windows it might beCOM3, on macOS/dev/tty.usbserial-*)
Option 2: Using PlatformIO
If you have the source code and PlatformIO installed:
- Clone the repository:
Terminal window git clone https://github.com/veetrlabs/veetr.gitcd veetr - Checkout the desired version:
Terminal window git checkout X.X.X # Replace with the version tag - Upload to your ESP32:
Terminal window pio run --target upload
🔍 Verification
After updating, you can verify the firmware version by:
- Connecting to the web dashboard
- Going to Settings → System Info
- Checking the firmware version displayed
⚠️ Troubleshooting
Update Failed
- Ensure your ESP32 is properly connected via Bluetooth
- Try refreshing the web dashboard page
- Check that your device has sufficient battery/power
- Try the manual installation method
Connection Issues
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your device
- Activate Discovery Mode: Press and hold the BOOT button (GPIO0) for 1+ seconds
- Verify the built-in LED (GPIO2) turns on to confirm discovery mode is active
- Clear your browser cache and try again
- Check that the ESP32 is powered on and in discovery mode (LED should be on)
Manual Installation Issues
- Verify the correct port/COM number for your ESP32
- Ensure no other programs are using the serial port
- Try pressing the BOOT button on the ESP32 while connecting
📞 Support
If you encounter issues:
- Check the Issues page for known problems
- Create a new issue with details about your problem
- Include your firmware version, device type, and error messages
Always backup your settings before updating firmware!