Update the Stratux software

Updating Stratux means writing a fresh software image to its microSD card. It takes about ten minutes and needs a computer with a microSD card reader.

What you need

  • The latest image from the Download page
  • balenaEtcher (free, for Mac, Windows and Linux)
  • A microSD card reader, and tweezers or fine pliers to remove the card

Steps

  1. Download and unzip. Download the .zip and unzip it to get the .img file. Unzip first, then flash the .img.
  2. Remove the microSD card. Power off Stratux, then pull the card out with tweezers. (It goes back in with the gold contacts facing down.)
  3. Flash it. Open balenaEtcher, choose the .img file, choose the microSD card, and click Flash.
  4. Reinstall and boot. Put the card back in and power on. The first boot takes a few minutes, and you should end with a solid green light.
  5. Let the GPS relearn. After a fresh image the GPS does a cold start: give it 10–20 minutes outside.

Keeping your settings

Your settings live in a file called stratux.conf. Flashing a new image replaces it with defaults. If you've changed settings and want to keep them, back up stratux.conf before you flash and restore it afterward. Ask on Discord if you're not sure how.

Major vs. minor updates

  • Major versions (for example 1.x → 2.0) change the underlying system and must be flashed.
  • Minor versions within the same major version have supported over-the-air updates on some releases. v2.0 removed the old self-update scripts, so check the release notes; flashing the card always works.

Only download Stratux from the Download page or GitHub releases. Old links on forums often point to images that are years out of date.

Video walkthrough

Prefer to watch? See Updating Stratux software on the microSD card.