How to Upgrade iRobot Robot Firmwares

by Rian

I still do not understand what was the reasoning behind the exclusion of simple ‘update’ button, but not only iRobot has decided not to include the button, the company uses bizarrely phrased error message for a software update, like “Software update is currently unavailable”. This message is somehow equivalent to “your device is up to date”, not “the update server is unreachable”.

Workaround

Before following the workaround, do be mindful this process will reset your map, favorites, schedules, or other settings. Maps can be restored via cloud or from another iRobot device, but favorites not. If you have a customized settings narrowed down, I would recommend double-checking what data you might lose.

1. From the “Product Settings” > “About [device]”, remove the device from account. (note: do not forget to save the map on the cloud when the prompt appears)
2. Add the device back on the account following the app prompts.
3. The app will automatically apply the latest firmware update during the initialization phase.
4. If you had a map from the previous setting, restore it from the cloud.
   

Afterthoughts

I wouldn’t go into details when and why a forced update is needed. iRobot began to push more updates recently, as their software was relatively stagnating in the last few years. It seems iRobot is pushing the updates incrementally, —like most smartphones do— but without the manual choice of opting in the manual update.

As the owner of a Roomba and a Braava, iRobot has been late in the “smart” department of robot vacuum and mop business, and the firmware is in need to updates, fast. Most people are willing to give the new update a shot to fix the existing problem, and frankly iRobot should be aware of the need.

Also, for any and all smart devices makers out there: we need a proper backup. Things fail, it’s a given. Being able to create backup of personalized settings and data is part of IoT being “smart”. Don’t drop the balls on us.