"Flash" and "Update firmware" buttons on Device page undocumented?

[ian999]

I just linked some Samsung plugs and found new buttons on the Device page:

I cannot find documentation for "flash" and "update firmware". I checked YouTube for device flashing and found it involved a soldering iron, so I'm fairly confused.

I have or want to get a number of devices that are not in the compatibility list, so if these tools are useful, I would really like to master them.

What do/don't they do, and when is it safe to use them?

[aaiyar]

Flash is rapidly and repeatedly turn the device on and off.

Update firmware is to update the firmware (if there is an update available for that particular device).

[bobbyD]

@ian999

when is it safe to use them?

In addition to what @aaiyar already mentioned, "Flash" is a device capability. Just like on/off or set level. Not all devices offer this capability.

"Update Firmware" is a feature offered by built-in Zigbee drivers. This feature was released with 2.2.7 platform update. For more details, please check out this post:

2.2.7 Zigbee OTA updates

Zigbee OTA updates are now available for specific drivers/devices, OTA updates are executed from the driver page by clicking the updateFirmware command, status is output to live logs. We have firmware files for the following manufacturers: Sengled, Philips Hue and Osram/Sylvania Drivers that include the new updateFirmware command are all of the Generic Zigbee bulb drivers, the generic Zigbee outlet driver, the Hue specific device drivers (motion and button controllers) and two of the Sengled …

[marktheknife]

@ian999

I checked YouTube for device flashing and found it involved a soldering iron, so I'm fairly confused.

Different use of the word flash.

Flashing Firmware - Tech-FAQ