Updated July 2, 2025
This article provides information about the over-the-air (OTA) firmware update process for G6, G7c, G7x, EXO, and G7 Bridge devices.
This article contains the following sections:
Requirements
To update firmware over the air, the G6, G7c, EXO, and G7 Bridge devices must be connected to Blackline Live via a cellular connection. There is a manual firmware update kit for G7 (G7c and G7x) and G7 Bridge, that you must use for devices that cannot connect to a cellular network (that is, devices that are connected via the satellite network, are offline, or are having issues with their connection). Please contact Technical Support for more information about this kit.
G6
In order for the firmware to download, the device's battery level must be at 10% or higher.
G7 Bridge and G7x
Special considerations regarding the firmware update process for G7 Bridge and connected G7x devices include the following:
- Firmware for G7 Bridge will stop or pause if the connection switches from cellular to satellite.
- G7 Bridge must complete its firmware update before linked G7x devices can receive the update.
- G7x firmware can be downloaded over a cellular or satellite connection.
OTA Process
Regardless of the type of device, the firmware update process occurs in three basic steps.
Step 1: Device is Set Up in Blackline Live for a Firmware Update
Blackline Safety assigns the correct firmware update to the device(s). There is nothing you need to do as a customer to initiate getting new firmware for your devices.
Step 2: Firmware is Automatically Downloaded to the Device
After a firmware update is assigned to a device in Blackline Live, it is automatically downloaded during its scheduled synchronization with Blackline Live. You cannot decline or stop it. During the firmware download, the device remains fully operational.
For the download to occur, the device must be:
- Powered on.
- Connected to Blackline Live through a cellular connection (the green connectivity light must be on and solid).
If a device is not powered on, is unable to connect to Blackline Live, or is using a satellite connection, the update either won’t start or is paused until the cellular connection resumes.
NOTE: G7x devices can receive their firmware updates via a cellular or a satellite connection when successfully connected to an updated G7 Bridge.
During the download process, you can track the progress through the Version update status report in Blackline Live. When the firmware download is complete (the percentage displays as 100%), the firmware is fully loaded onto the device and ready to be updated.
Step 3: Firmware is Updated on the Device
During the firmware update, the device is not operational and cannot connect to Blackline Live.
After the firmware download is complete, the firmware update can be initiated on the device in one of the following ways:
- The firmware updates the device automatically when the following occurs:
- G6 only: The device is removed from G6 Dock.
- G6 only: The user initiates a manual update from the Device Settings menu. To display the Device Settings menu, hold the left button for five seconds from the G6 Home screen. From the Device Settings screen, select Manually update firmware. See the Firmware Update Process for G6 for more details .
This functionality is available primarily when G6 is out of range of G6 dock and the user needs to install a new version of firmware on the fly, or does not have G6 dock, allowing for automatic firmware installs. Manual installs are only possible if a new version of firmware has been downloaded successfully to the device and the new version of firmware has not already been installed through an automatic firmware install. - The device has a manual bump test, calibration, or zero sensor.
- The device is powered off, then on.
- From the Version update status report in Blackline Live (G7 devices only): To initiate the update, select Activate downloaded versions. The update process starts for any G7 devices that have pending firmware downloaded but is not yet updated.
WARNING: This action restarts the device. Make sure the device is not being used in the field when using this option as
the device cannot monitor for safety until the update process completes.
Firmware Update Process on G7, G7 Bridge, and EXO
When the firmware update is initiated on G7x, G7c, G7 Bridge, or EXO, the following steps occur.
Note: The images shown in this procedure are for G7c. You may see blue and red lights if your firmware version is 3.445 or earlier (the update will take about two minutes to complete). The firmware update process is the same for EXO, G7 Bridge, and G7x.
- The device goes into a startup sequence, then automatically powers off.
- The device’s LCD goes blank and the device becomes non-responsive to button pushes.
- Blue and yellow lights flash, indicating the firmware is updating.
- When the update completes, the new firmware version briefly displays, before the device goes into its startup sequence. This may take an extra 30 to 60 seconds from its regular startup time.
- The green light comes on and is solid to indicate the device is again connected to Blackline Live and ready for use.
Firmware Update Process on G6
When the firmware update is initiated on G6, the following steps occur:
- The device powers off and displays a blank screen.
- When the device powers back on, the firmware install light pattern starts.
- The lights and sounds end when the device begins its usual startup sequence
Checking your Device Firmware Version
There are two ways to view the current firmware version for G7 and EXO:
- From Blackline Live
- From the Device
To check the device firmware version in Blackline Live:
- Select this link to open the Version update status report: https://live.blacklinesafety.com/ota-firmware/. The installed firmware version displays, as well as the status of any firmware updates in progress.
To check the device firmware version rom the Device:
- Open the main menu, use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll to Advanced info, then press the center button. The Advanced info menu displays.
- Using the up and down arrow buttons, scroll through the Advanced info menu, then select Device info by pressing the center button. The Device info screen opens, displaying your device’s settings.
- Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through the Device info screen to the Firmware section.
- To return to the Advanced info menu, press the OK button.
Technical Support
If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Support team.
North America (24 hours)
Toll Free: 1-877-869-7212 | support@blacklinesafety.com
United Kingdom (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. GMT)
+44 1787 222684 | eusupport@blacklinesafety.com
International (24 hours)
+1-403-451-0327 | support@blacklinesafety.com
