Why My Smart Ring Firmware Update Almost Gave Me a Heart Attack (And How to Do It Right)
I remember the first time I saw that little red dot in my smart ring app. I had just finished a morning yoga session, feeling all “zen” and accomplished, only to find a notification telling me a mandatory Smart Ring Firmware Update was ready.
Naturally, I did what any impatient tech lover does: I tapped “Update Now” while walking to my car, phone in one hand, coffee in the other. Halfway through, my phone’s Bluetooth stuttered because I walked too far from my bag, the progress bar froze, and suddenly my $300 piece of titanium felt like an expensive paperweight.
It took three factory resets and a very frantic email to support to get my ring back to life. That experience taught me a hard lesson: Smart Ring Firmware Updates aren’t just “software clicks”—they are the heartbeat of your wearable.
If you’re reading this, you probably just saw that same notification. Don’t panic. Whether you’re rocking an Oura, a RingConn, or the new Samsung Galaxy Ring, I’m going to walk you through the process, the pitfalls, and the “why” behind those mysterious updates, based on years of wearing (and occasionally breaking) these tiny computers.
What Exactly Is Firmware? (The Non-Boring Version)
Think of your smart ring like a high-end sports car. The physical ring—the titanium, the sensors, the battery—is the chassis and the engine. The firmware is the computer system that tells the engine how to fire.
In technical terms, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides low-level control for a device’s hardware. According to research on wearable health devices, firmware acts as the critical bridge between the hardware sensors (like your PPG heart rate sensor) and the app on your phone.
When a manufacturer sends out an update, they aren’t just moving icons around. They are often:
- Refining Algorithms: Making your sleep tracking more accurate.
- Fixing “Bugs”: Patching that annoying glitch where the ring thinks you’re “cycling” when you’re actually just folding laundry.
- Battery Optimization: Tweaking how the sensors “pulse” to save juice.
- Security: Closing loopholes that could let someone intercept your biometric data.
My Pre-Smart Ring Firmware Update Ritual: The “Golden Rules” of Not Bricking Your Ring
After my “yoga-gate” incident, I developed a ritual. I never update on the fly anymore. Here is the checklist I use every single time:
1. The 50% Battery Rule
Most apps will let you start an update at 20% or 30%, but that’s living dangerously. If your ring dies mid-installation, it can “brick”—meaning the software is half-written and the device doesn’t know how to turn back on. I always make sure both my ring and my phone are at least 50% charged. Better yet? Keep the ring on its charging dock during the process.
2. The “Stay Close” Mandate
Bluetooth is a fickle beast. If you’re updating, keep your phone within three feet of your ring. Don’t go into the kitchen for a snack. Don’t take a phone call. Just let them “talk” to each other in peace.
3. Check Your App First
Before updating the ring, check the App Store or Google Play. Is there an Smart Ring Firmware Update for the app itself? Usually, manufacturers release a new app version before the firmware. Running old app software with new ring firmware is a recipe for sync errors.
Step-by-Step: How to Update Firmware Like a Pro
The process varies slightly by brand, but the “DNA” of the update is usually the same.
For Oura Ring Users
I’ve worn the Oura Gen 2, 3, and now the 4. They’ve made it pretty seamless lately. Usually, a card will pop up on your “Home” or “Today” tab.
- The Hack: If you don’t see the update but know it’s out, tap the Ring Icon in the top right corner. This takes you to the “My Oura Ring” settings. Scroll down to “Firmware” and you can manually trigger a check.
- Pro Tip: Oura now has “Automatic Firmware Updates” in settings. I personally keep this off. I prefer to know when my device is being modified so I can ensure it’s on the charger.
For RingConn Users
These brands are incredibly active with their community. RingConn’s support documentation emphasizes that staying updated is key for their frequent algorithm tweaks.
- Open your app and look for the “Me” or “Settings” tab.
- Find the “Device Management” or “Firmware Update” section.
- Ensure your internet connection is stable (Wi-Fi is better than spotty 5G here).
For Ultrahuman Ring Air Users
The Ultrahuman team pushes updates faster than almost anyone else in the game. I once had two updates in a single week! While they are usually smooth, the “update available” banner can sometimes be shy and refuse to pop up on the home screen.
- The Standard Path: Open the app and tap the Ring Icon (top right). If your firmware is out of date, a “Firmware Update Available” button should appear right under your ring’s image.
- The “Secret” Force-Update: If you know an update is out but don’t see it, go to the Ring Settings (tap that same battery icon), scroll down, and tap Ring Self-Troubleshooting. Select Start Diagnosis and then tap No Steps Detected. This often forces the app to re-check the servers and “discover” the new firmware.
- Pro Tip: I always place my Air directly on the charging dock during an update. These rings use a high-frequency Bluetooth handshake during the “Finalizing” stage, and even moving your hand a few inches away can cause a sync error that forces you to restart the whole 5-minute process.
For Samsung Galaxy Ring Users
If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, your updates will likely come through the Galaxy Wearable app. It’s much like updating Galaxy Buds. You’ll go to Ring Settings > Software Update.
Troubleshooting: What If It Goes Wrong?
It happens. You get the “Update Failed” message. The world isn’t ending. Here is exactly what I do when my ring gets stubborn:
- The “Toggle” Trick: Turn your phone’s Bluetooth off and then back on. This clears the “cache” of the connection.
- The Force Close: Close the smart ring app entirely (swipe it away). Reopen it and try again.
- The Soft Reset: Most rings have a way to reset without losing data. For Oura, you can do this by tapping the ring on a table while it’s on the charger (check your specific manual for the “tap pattern”).
- The Factory Reset (Last Resort): If the ring is totally unresponsive, you may need to unpair it from your phone’s Bluetooth settings, perform a factory reset via the app, and set it up as a “new” ring. Your old data is usually stored in the cloud, so you won’t lose your “sleep streaks.”
Why You Shouldn’t Skip These Firmware Updates
I’ve had people ask me, “If my ring is working fine, why risk it?”
I get it. But consider this: wearable technology is evolving faster than almost any other tech sector. A firmware update last month for a popular ring actually improved heart rate variability (HRV) accuracy by nearly 15% just by changing how the LED sensors filtered out ambient light.
By skipping updates, you’re basically using an older, dumber version of the device you paid for. It’s like owning a smartphone and never updating the OS—eventually, the apps stop working and the security gets leaky.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does a smart ring firmware update take?
Usually, it’s between 2 and 10 minutes. It depends on the size of the “file” and the speed of your Bluetooth connection. If it takes longer than 20 minutes, something might be hung up.
2. Will I lose my sleep and activity data?
No. Your historical data is saved on the manufacturer’s servers (the cloud). The update only affects the software inside the ring. However, I always recommend syncing your ring one last time right before you start the update just to be safe.
3. Can I wear the ring while it’s updating?
Technically, yes, but I highly recommend against it. Movement can interfere with the Bluetooth signal. Set it on a nightstand or its charger and let it sit still.
4. What happens if the power goes out during an update?
If your phone dies or the Wi-Fi cuts out, the update will usually just fail and stay on the old version. The danger is if the ring loses power. This is why the 50% battery rule is my #1 commandment.
5. My ring is acting weird after an update (battery draining fast). What should I do?
New firmware can sometimes cause “indexing” or background calibrations that drain the battery for the first 24 hours. If it persists for more than two days, try a “Soft Reset.” If that fails, contact support—sometimes a specific “patch” is needed for certain phone models.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Dot
Smart Ring Firmware Updates used to stress me out, but now I see them as a “free upgrade.” Last year, a firmware update gave my ring a new “Stress Monitoring” feature that wasn’t even there when I bought it. That’s the beauty of modern wearables—they actually get better with age, provided you take care of the software.
So, the next time you see that notification, grab your charger, find a stable Wi-Fi signal, and give your ring the “brain boost” it deserves. Just… maybe wait until after you’ve finished your coffee.
Additional helpful information to update ring firmware:
Instructions for the initial setup of your smart ring – Getting Started with your Smart Ring
More details about the companion app for your smart ring – Smart Ring Companion Apps for your Phone
