The quick answers owners ask us most often about tracker firmware.
Do I need a plan for firmware updates?
Yes — tracker features, including firmware updates, need an active paid plan. See the Subscription & Billing section of this help center for what's included.
Are updates automatic?
No. We tell you when one is available and you decide when to install it, from GPS tracker settings → Tracker info → Firmware updates.
How often are updates released?
Whenever Ask A Vet publishes new firmware for your tracker's hardware. There is no fixed schedule, and quiet periods are perfectly normal.
How long does an update take?
The update screen shows Est. time of about 10 minutes. Treat it as a rough guide rather than a countdown — it's a general estimate, not a live measurement of your particular update.
Can I use my phone during the update?
| Firmware | Can you use your phone? |
|---|---|
| Main firmware | Yes. The tracker downloads it over the mobile network on its own. Just keep the tracker powered on and connected. |
| Module firmware | Stay on the update screen with the app open, because your phone is the one sending the file. |
Will tracking pause while it updates?
Location reporting may pause while the update installs, and the tracker restarts at the end. It can look off or offline for a few minutes and comes back by itself.
Can I skip an update?
Yes. The prompt is always dismissible — firmware never blocks you from using the app. Dismissing it snoozes that tracker's prompt for 24 hours.
What's actually in an update?
The WHAT'S NEW section on the update screen lists what changed in that release. If a release has no detailed notes, you'll see a short Notes summary instead, and if there's nothing to show the section is hidden.
Why does one of my trackers have an update and the other doesn't?
Firmware is published for a specific hardware version, and you're only offered a version newer than the one installed. Two trackers can genuinely be on different schedules.
Do I need a minimum battery level?
The update screen shows a Battery tile (Good, Fair, Low, Unknown) so you can judge for yourself. Charging first is sensible, especially for a Bluetooth update.
[CONFIRM: whether there is a minimum battery level required for a firmware update, and what the tracker does if it refuses one].
Does a failed update retry by itself?
No — you retry it from the app with Retry update.
Related articles - What is a tracker firmware update? Main firmware vs Module firmware - How to update your tracker's firmware - The firmware update failed or seems stuck - How to postpone a firmware update