Theta Z1 Firmware Update Process

The 360° camera is an essential part of every iGUIDE PLANIX camera system. PLANIX's modular design allows users to detach and use the 360° camera independently from the PLANIX core when needed. Because of this, firmware updates to the 360° camera are also done independently from the PLANIX system (i.e. PLANIX is turned off), which is a different process than updating PLANIX firmware.

Note: You are not required to detach the Theta Z1 for a firmware update. The steps in updating the Theta Z1 may vary slightly and is dependent on the current firmware version.

We recommend following our instructions, however, below are some links to Ricoh’s how-to, see below:

Updating the Camera Firmware Using a Smartphone | RICOH THETA Updating the Camera Firmware Using a Computer | RICOH THETA

How to update the Z1 Firmware Via a Smartphone:

Updating the Z1 Firmware:

1. Power on the Theta Z1 and, once powered up, single press the WiFi button (see Figure 1). On the screen on the camera, the Wi-Fi symbol will start to flash once it is ready.

Figure 1 - WiFi toggle

1. Download the Ricoh Theta app on your smart device, see below for some handy links to the app:

   • Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theta360
   • iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ricoh-theta/id1023254741

   Note: from this point on you may need to switch between Wi-Fi connections for Internet connectivity and Z1 communication. During this process, airplane mode is recommended (with Wi-Fi on) as your cellular connection can interfere with the process.

2. Open the Theta App on your smartphone, and log in (or create an account if this is the first time updating the firmware).

3. Once logged in, switch to the "THETA" section on the bottom of the screen. From here you may need to register the RICOH THETA. If this hasn't been completed yet please continue the following steps. If the device has been registered skip to step 8.

4. Press the "Register RICOH THETA" button on the screen, select the "RICOH THETA Z1, and there will be a prompt to turn on the camera, enable the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the camera, and search for the camera.

Note: When searching for the camera make sure the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on, and the smartphone is close to the camera.

1. In order to connect to the camera's Wi-Fi, switch to the phone's Wi-Fi settings, select the camera's Wi-Fi (the camera's Wi-Fi will be called "THETAYN" followed by a series of numbers), and when asked to put in the password simply type the numbers that are shown in the camera's Wi-Fi. Once this is finished switch back to the app.

2. Once the camera has been discovered press "next", and then the camera and smartphone will be connected. Close the screen by pressing the "Show registered RICOH THETA" button at the bottom of the screen.

3. Under the THETA section you will see the registered camera. Scroll down to the "General" section and press the "Update Firmware" section.

4. If an update is available you can select the button "Update" to continue. A new prompt will pop up asking you to press "Update".

5. A new prompt will ask to "connect your smartphone to the internet". At this point switch to the phone's Wi-Fi settings and select any regular Wi-Fi (not the camera Wi-Fi).

6. Switch back to the app and press "Download." This will begin downloading the phone's firmware update. Depending on the size and Wi-Fi speed, it may take a few minutes to download.

Note: Do not switch screens during the download. Doing so will stop the download and cause it to be restarted from the beginning again.

1. Once the download is complete press "Ok" and then switch back to the camera's Wi-Fi. Once connected press the "Transferring Files" button at the bottom of the screen. This may take several minutes to complete, and it is advised not to turn off the camera or phone during this process. The camera will reboot itself during this process too.

2. Once the transfer is completed press "Ok", and then press "Quit the Firmware Update". The camera's firmware is now updated, and the camera can now be turned off.