Android and iOS
You can also update the firmware on your router through Android and iOS. You must first get the IPConfig app on Android. After you’ve installed it, make sure you’re connected to the router you want to update, and then open it. Under DNS on the main page of the app, you should see the router’s IP address.
Download: IPConfig for Android (Free)
iOS users can see their router’s IP address through Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap on the information icon beside the network you’re connected to, then swipe up until you see Router. You should see the IP address you need besides it.
How to Check Your Router’s Firmware Version
Once you know the IP address of your router, you can type it into any browser to get to it. Usually, you’ll see a login page that keeps your router’s settings safe. If you haven’t changed the default username and password, you will need to look in the user manual for your router.
Since different router brands and models have different views, you must explore your router’s administration tools to find its firmware version. Typically, you’ll find this under the Advanced, Maintenance, Management, System Tools, or Utilities menu.
Once you find the Firmware window, write down the current firmware version of your router. Some routers can also update themselves. If your router has this feature, all you have to do is click the Check or Update button, and it will contact its maker and ask for an update.
If the router has links to updated firmware files that you can download, click on those links to save the files to your computer or phone. Some routers also have the option to update themselves automatically. If so, click its update button, and it will automatically be updated to the latest firmware version.
If your router doesn’t have any of the above features, go to the website of the company that made it, click on Support, and look for the model number. Make sure you put in the right model number, because downloading and installing the wrong firmware will break the hardware.
When you get to the firmware download page for your router, check the version number of the firmware you can download. If it’s newer than the one already on your router, you should download it. If not, you don’t need to do anything because your router is up to date.
How to Update the Firmware on Your Router
Go back to your router’s Firmware page if you need to update it. Find the Browse button to pre-load the new firmware you downloaded from the official manufacturer’s page. Click on Upgrade once you’ve uploaded it.
When the process is done, your router will be running the latest firmware version from the maker.
Keep Your Hardware Secure
Even though it might seem like a lot of work, you should sometimes update your router and other networking hardware. Installing the most recent firmware makes sure that any security holes that may have been discovered since you bought it are fixed. Also, firmware that is newer is usually more efficient, letting you connect to the internet faster and with better quality.
As the internet of things slowly takes over our homes, it’s important to keep all your hardware up to date. Updates aren’t just for smartphones, PCs, and routers; they’re also for all smart devices, like security cameras, TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves.
As long as your hardware or appliance can connect to the internet, you should make sure it’s always up to date. In this way, you reduce security risks for your whole network. After all, the security of your home internet is only as good as its weakest link.
