New AsiAIr Mini won't update firmware

SamoL

Have just received it today. Have tried to update the firmware but it is always stuck at 0% until it timeouts. I have the latest version of Android app installed and I am successfully using (also today) an AsiAir Plus. I have tried to download your app from your link (both of them), but it won't install. So obviously Google is really mad at you 😉
I have attached two screenshots: just before the firmware update and how the update screen looks - until it timeouts (takes too long and I am advised to restart the app / AsiAir - none of which helps). What now? At least it should work with the firmware already on device, because currently my new AsiAir Mini is useless.

w7ay

SamoL What now?

Connect the LAN port of the ASIAIR to the LAN port of your home router with an Ethernet cable (RJ45 at both ends of the cable).

Connect your tablet to the home router instead of to the ASIAIR WiFi hotspot.

See if that works.

Chen

SamoL

It is AsiAir Mini and it only has WiFi. Have tried with many resets and restarts of my Mini at least 30x - and it doesn't work. I haven't uninstalled the app as the downloaded app doesn't want to install. I have another setup imaging with AsiAir Plus and only one mobile phone, so I don't want to loose controll over that one. But I have restarted the app and the phone many times. No success.

SamoL

What is the proper way to factory reset the Mini? It looks like the only option right now. The only other is an update of the mobile app (but I have the latest one, so you will have to release it first).

w7ay

SamoL What is the proper way to factory reset the Mini?

See if you can reset it the way you reset the larger ASIAIR. See if you can follow steps 1 through 5 of my recent post here (Post #5 in the thread):

https://bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/15600-zwo-asi-air-plus-backup/5

In your case, after the 5 second reset, see if the ASIAIR is visible on WiFi.

You must first turn off ASIAIR. Then hold down the reset button while you power it on. And keep holding the reset button down for more than 5 seconds. After releasing the reset button, see if you can now see ASIAIR hotspot. If not, turn power off, and turn power back on and check again.

Can't you just get your dealer to send a replacement? And if they are willing, replace it with the larger model so you won't be stuck with ZWO's WiFi implementation (and not being able to change the WiFi channel, which is essential in a WiFi congested neighborbood).

Chen

SamoL

w7ay Have tried with no luck. Mini behaves a bit differently: after holding reset for 5s (starting from just before powering it), the green led will blink for a while and then Mini will shut down. I have then powered it back on (disconnected and connected the 12V power cord) and it boots up and beeps, but when I connect to it it will again notify me that I need to update firmware (same message as in my first post).
I don't understand why you are suggesting me to replace it with a Plus: every product that ZWO sells needs to work. I bought Mini to use it with my EOS Ra as it can be powered over USB-C. And the dealer will never "upgrade" it for free and even if I send it back for replacement it will cost me money. So: is my Mini now bricked or do you have any other ideas how to get it working?

SamoL

Just a note: Mini doesn't shut down after factory reset. Its power consumption drops when the reset is done and the power supply shuts down. I have tried also with the procedure that exactly matches the one in your post. The result is the same. Mini boots after a factory reset and beeps, but all I am offered after this is to update firmware. So it looks to me like the mobile app is not working. I have a Pixel 5 with the latest Android 13.

w7ay

SamoL it looks to me like the mobile app is not working. I have a Pixel 5 with the latest Android 13.

Do you have a friend with an iPad?

ZWO is currently (since 3 days ago; see their announcement on this forum) in hot water with the Google App Store. Wait a week or two to see if they can fix the code that violates Goole App Store policy.

If you need it in a hurry, you can just try it on a friend's iPad. Or, if you trust servers in foreign countries, you can try the links that ZWO is storing the Android apps for side-loading. Or get a burner phone that does not have information of your life on it.

Chen

SamoL

I will try with someone else's iOS device. I have tried downloading the app form both links and it won't install - and I have enabled installation of apps outside AppStore. i.e. I have used your beta AsiAir app and firmware before. Obviously Google is fighting hard to enforce compliance with their rules. Most probably you currently don't have a working app for users with newest Android (except for those, who have downloaded it before).

SamoL

Update: I have used an iOS device to update the firmware and now my Mini works with my Android phone. So obviously there are serious issues with the Android app.

Walf@ZWO

try this app
Android： https://www.pgyer.com/9UZT
Password：zwo123456
iOS： https://testflight.apple.com/join/27t20sF7

sompi68

Walf@ZWO need the password for download to pgyer.com

SamoL

Have tried downloading from both links. The phone won't install these two, even though I have permissions for apps that are downloaded and in "files". I guess Google has implemented something to prevent installation of apps that were removed from the store. Again: I have Google Pixel 5 and the latest version of Android 13.

Jimmy@ZWO

Thank you very much for your feedback and patient communication.
Unfortunately, we have tried to reproduce the problem you described, but without success.

Is it convenient to repeat the question.
Roll back the Mini firmware to v10.40 and then try to upgrade using the Android App, which logs the failure. If that fails, you can complete the upgrade via iOS and then, crucially, submit the log in the feedback section of the Android APP.

Your help is very important to us!

SamoL

I am not willing to rollback to v10.40, as then I will need again someone else's iOS device to upgrade it. As I have been using it with my Android device to do an actual astrophotography session it might be too late for that.
And besides this: I have reported a bug for my EAF and I was helped here to downgrade it to an older firmware, but the bug was never resolved. I will not be able to use the external temp sensor in the summer again. I would expect that if I invest work into a reproducible bug, you then fix it. Or my motivation might not be so high next time...

Walf@ZWO

sompi68 let me check