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Updating Firmware with the Konnected App

How the Konnected app and our cloud build service make updating and maintaining your Konnected device settings easy

The Konnected app in concert with our cloud  build service make updating the firmware on your Konnected device easy and quick.

This article applies to Konnected devices running the ESPHome firmware, which is the default firmware on all new products.

We use ESPHome under the hood to make your Konnected device work, but let's face it, most users don't know much or care about this developer-centric firmware platform. That's why we've built the Konnected app and cloud build process to make the process easy and accessible to all. This article explains how firmware updates work, what the version numbers mean, and why Konnected's custom-compiled approach provides superior performance and reliability.

See choosing a firmware update method for more options for updating your device firwmare.

Understanding Version Numbers

When you view your device information in the Konnected app or Home Assistant, you'll see two distinct version numbers:

Project Version

The Project Version (e.g., "1.4.0") refers to the specific Konnected firmware configuration for your device model. This number indicates the functional release of features, bug fixes, and improvements made by Konnected to your device's capabilities. Each product line (Alarm Panel Pro, GDO blaQ, etc.) has its own project version numbering.

The Build Version is a fourth digit added to the end of the project version when delivered via our cloud build service, that indicates the build number for each specific device. For example, "1.4.0.5" would mean the 5th build for this device. Each time you generate a firmware update, the build number increments by one.

ESPHome Version

The ESPHome Version (e.g., "2024.12.1" or "2026.1.3") indicates the underlying ESPHome framework version that your device is built upon. ESPHome is the open-source platform that powers Konnected devices, providing the core functionality for communication with your smart home system.

You might see this displayed as: Firmware: 1.4.0 (ESPHome 2024.12.1)

How Firmware Updates Work

Unlike traditional devices that use the same firmware file for every device, every Konnected firmware update is custom-compiled specifically for your device with your unique configurations. Here's how the process works:

  1. You configure your device settings (zones, sensors, outputs, etc.) in the Konnected app
  2. When you tap "Build Now", your configuration is sent to Konnected's cloud build infrastructure
  3. The system compiles a custom firmware binary incorporating your specific settings
  4. The app downloads this custom firmware and installs it on your device over-the-air (OTA) via your local network

Why Custom Compilation Matters

This build-on-demand approach provides significant advantages:

Speed and Efficiency: Most device features and settings are configured at compile time rather than runtime, allowing ESPHome to squeeze maximum performance from the microcontroller hardware. Your device runs leaner and faster because it's optimized for exactly what you need.

Always Up-to-Date: Konnected's cloud build infrastructure automatically pulls the latest ESPHome framework every few days, so when you update firmware via the app, you'll always get the latest stable version without manually tracking releases.

Customized for Your Setup: Your device only includes the components and configurations you actually use, reducing memory usage and potential points of failure.

When to Update Firmware

Firmware updates are not delivered automatically. You need to open the Konnected app, tap on Settings for each device, confirm the settings and initiate a firmware update for each device. As we develop new capabilities for Konnected devices, you can use this process to update device firmware to take advantage of these updates and features.

Consider updating when:

  • A new project version is released with features or fixes relevant to your setup
  • You're experiencing issues that may be resolved in newer releases
  • You're changing your device configuration (zones, sensors, network settings)
  • A significant ESPHome framework update is available with stability improvements

Finding Release Notes

Detailed release notes for all Konnected firmware updates are available on GitHub:

https://github.com/konnected-io/konnected-esphome/releases

Release notes include:

  • Project version updates for each product line
  • New features and improvements
  • Bug fixes and stability enhancements
  • ESPHome framework version information

Privacy and Alternative Methods

The Konnected cloud build service is entirely optional. If you prefer complete privacy and control:

  • Manage your own firmware using ESPHome Dashboard
  • WiFi credentials don't need to be included in the firmware - use alternative connection methods like Captive Portal, the Konnected app provisioning, or BLE (Improv WiFi)
  • Flash firmware updates via USB cable
  • Use Ethernet connectivity to avoid WiFi credentials entirely

For advanced users interested in local firmware management, see the ESPHome section for articles and advice for managing and configuring your firmware the manual way.

The custom-compiled firmware approach ensures your Konnected device is optimized for your specific setup while staying current with the latest platform improvements - all managed seamlessly through the mobile app.