A complete guide to upgrading UniFi Access Point firmware manually or automatically.

Keeping your UniFi Access Points up to date ensures optimal performance, improved stability, and enhanced security. This guide outlines all available methods to update UniFi AP firmware—including through the UniFi Network application, manually via URL, and directly via SSH.

Why Updating Firmware Matters

Regular firmware updates for UniFi APs offer:

• Security patches for known vulnerabilities
• Improved wireless performance and bug fixes
• New feature support for the latest UniFi controller versions
• Compatibility with newer UniFi switches, gateways, and software

Method 1: Automatically via UniFi Network Controller

This is the easiest and most common way to update UniFi firmware.

To automatically upgrade UniFi AP firmware:

1. Log into your UniFi Controller (UniFi Network application).
2. Go to the Devices tab.
3. Select the AP you want to upgrade.
4. Click the Upgrade button if a new version is available.
5. Wait for the AP to download and install the firmware.
6. The AP will reboot automatically once finished.

🛠️ You can configure scheduled upgrades or apply upgrades across multiple devices.

Bonus: Change Firmware Release Channel

To switch between Official, Release Candidate, or Early Access builds:

• Go to Settings > System > Firmware
• Choose your desired update channel

Method 2: Manually via UniFi Controller (Firmware URL)

This method allows you to manually push a specific firmware version—even if UniFi hasn’t listed it yet in the controller.

Steps:

1. Log into your UniFi Network Controller.
2. Go to the Devices tab.
3. Select your AP, then click the gear icon (Device Settings).
4. Scroll down to Manual Firmware Update.
5. Visit the official Ubiquiti Firmware Download Page.
6. Copy the direct URL for the firmware .bin file corresponding to your AP model.
7. Paste the URL into the Manual Firmware field.
8. Click Upgrade.

The device will fetch the file, install it, and reboot automatically.

Method 3: Manually via SSH

If you prefer command-line control or need to recover an AP outside the controller, use SSH.

Prerequisites:

• Know the IP address of the UniFi device
• Have SSH access enabled
• Have valid SSH credentials (either ubnt/ubnt for factory-default or as configured in the controller)

Example SSH Process:

1. Open Terminal (macOS/Linux) or PuTTY (Windows).
2. Connect using:

ssh [email protected]

3. Enter your password when prompted.
4. Run the firmware upgrade command:

upgrade https://dl.ui.com/unifi/firmware/XXX/unifi_ap_upgrade.bin

Replace the URL with the direct firmware link for your AP model.

5. The AP will download, apply the update, and reboot.

Troubleshooting Firmware Updates

If your UniFi AP isn’t updating:

• ✅ Make sure the device is adopted and online
• ✅ Confirm there’s enough power (avoid low-voltage PoE)
• ✅ Reboot the device and try again
• ✅ Use a different firmware version or try manual update
• ✅ Factory reset the AP (hold the reset button for 10 seconds), then re-adopt it

For SSH updates, confirm firewall rules allow outbound traffic on port 443 (HTTPS).

Summary: UniFi AP Firmware Upgrade Options

Keeping UniFi AP firmware updated is part of maintaining a healthy network. Whether you’re updating one device or an entire site, UniFi gives you flexible tools to manage firmware on your terms.