The Ledger Nano S firmware version 1.6 is ready for testing+Final Version!

[Lucius]

I found this information on Ledger Reddit, and it was published one day ago, which is a bit strange considering that testing ends at the end of today. However, information about the beta testing program has been released on Ledger site a week ago. Ledger was probably targeting more experienced users, but they also wanted to get more beta testers by posting on Reddit.

For those who decide to test the new 1.6 firmware, standard warning is about backup of seed/PIN. It is also important to note that the update cannot be made through standard Ledger Live, but there is a special downloadable version via Ledger GitHub.

Users who successfully upgrade to firmware version 1.6 will need to continue using the customized version of Ledger Live until new firmware release which is scheduled in the next 1-2 weeks.

More info and all links on Reddit : Launching Beta Test Campaign | Ledger Nano S Firmware update + Ledger Beta Testing Program

[bitmover]

Personally, I see no reason to participate.
If they had new coins support (like forks on a fork season) or some other benefit...
But just to download a beta firmware on my device. That's not very attractive idea.

[Lucius]

bitmover, the purpose of beta testing is to find possible problems in new firmware before the release of the final version. There are people who are happy to participate in the process, and also those who do not want too many complications that can arise from such testing.

However the good news is that we could finally get new firmware after a long time, and it should solve the reset problem on Nano S. As far as I can see the new firmware brings a lot of improvements, and maybe most important thing is that app capacity is back as it was before 1.5.5.

They posted link to what is new in FW 1.6.0 :

What’s new in firmware 1.6.0?
Firmware version 1.6.0 includes security and cryptographic enhancements, many user experience improvements, increased app storage capacity, and bug fixes. Please find more information about this update in our blog post.

Release notes - Ledger Nano S FW 1.6.0

[Pmalek]

What’s new in firmware 1.6.0?
Firmware version 1.6.0 includes security and cryptographic enhancements, many user experience improvements, increased app storage capacity, and bug fixes. Please find more information about this update in our blog post.

This is good, thanks for sharing the info. But I have to agree with bitmover on this.
I understand that it is important to test the new firmware before it gets released to the public but I am not particularly interested in putting my money at risk while doing so. Even after the release I am planning to watch how it performs for a few weeks to see if any bugs get detected and only then upgrade my firmware. 

[HCP]

I wouldn't mind checking it out... love living on the bleeding edge

But unfortunately, I'm travelling at the moment... and my recovery seed mnemonic is a bit closer to home... securely stored in a watertight, fireproof safe... in an underground cavern... in a pool of sharks.... wearing lasers... the whole facility guarded rabid minions... accompanied by angry dogs that have bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you^[1]

So, no thoughts of attempting a firmware upgrade at the moment! Even though I would love to test the claims regarding app storage capacity etc.


[1] Bonus iNteRnet pOiNtZ for anyone who guesses that reference without having to Google it!

[Pmalek]

accompanied by angry dogs that have bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you^[1]

Hmm, is it Candyman from the Candyman franchise? He shoots bees out of his mouth if I remember correctly.
Send us a picture of your security setup so we can replicate it 

[crwth]

Now I would know what to do with my Ledger Nano S (because I have been using Nano X for my transactions). Mostly because I do think that it's going to be useful not just for me but for the whole Ledger Community. I'm thankful that they have extended it until Monday (November 11, 2019) and I had a chance to join. It's voluntary, but what the heck. At least I will be updated to the latest one before anyone else.

For the Beta test campaign, I do think it's going well. It's said on the Beta Telegram Channel that it's a 100% updated, so maybe extending the time for beta testers could be critical to find those annoying bugs that could affect their image. We will never know.

I will update once I have finished installing the latest firmware.

So to anyone who wants to try it, it's still up until November 11.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Hardening PIN code entry by randomizing the order of digits and symbols to mitigate a potential attacker from counting button clicks to guess the PIN code.

Isn't this attack already prevented by randomizing the digit that you start on for each character? This means that scrolling left and right on each individual character will have a random order of digits? As someone whose hardware wallet never leaves the house (and as such, this vector of attack is a non-issue), this seems like its going to be a bit of a PITA.

An entirely new user interface that brings app capacity back to where it was with version 1.4.2.

I don't really care about capacity since I have little interest in most altcoins, but glad to see they have finally addressed this issue, as it did seem like "planned obsolescence" when the Nano X was released.

angry dogs that have bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you

I think your security set up could be improved by the addition of a robotic Richard Simmons.

[LeGaulois]

Sorry to bump this topic instead to create another one.
The new firmware is now alive. The device is now supposed to support more applications (since the firmware takes now less space). With a few changes in UI and security
https://www.ledger.com/new-firmware-update-for-ledger-nano-s

How to upgrade it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2W0qqCd-IY

The update is released progressively so you might not see it immediately
Waiting for you guys so I can upgrade safely

[HCP]

Waiting for you guys so I can upgrade safely  

Yes... got the email about 5 minutes ago... but I'm having some issues with my newly installed robotic Richard Simmons security system (o_e_l_e_o winz 10 internetz!)...

or, more correctly... I'm still travelling and don't have access to the seed mnemonic, so I don't want to attempt to update in case it wipes the device

Did anyone actually install the 1.6 beta or even the new "live" 1.6? Thoughts/comments?

[LTU_btc]

I also got email about release of new firmware. It's good news, because I thought that after release of Nano X, Ledger will abandon Nano S.
But like always, I'm not going rush to update firmware of myvwebsite. I will wait some time to be sure that there is bugs and everything works fine. There is no reason to hurry, because this update isn't big and without very significant and important additions.

[Lucius]

Did anyone actually install the 1.6 beta or even the new "live" 1.6? Thoughts/comments?

I haven't tried it yet, I don't have access to a W10 computer right now, and I don't even want to try W7 because I know how it ended last time. According to comments on Ledger Reddit many do not even see the option to update because the firmware is released progressively, but one user says it takes 3 minutes for him to finish with the update, the other is reporting that he is stuck on MCU update screen.

There is no reason to hurry, because this update isn't big and without very significant and important additions.

I would disagree with that, check the link in LeGaulois post. For everyone who complained that they couldn't install more than 2 or 3 apps at once, the situation improved. Ledger is also fix bug wich causes random reset on some configuration, some users on the forum report that issue.

[LTU_btc]

I haven't tried it yet, I don't have access to a W10 computer right now, and I don't even want to try W7 because I know how it ended last time.

What did happened last time when you tried to update firmware? Because I also have ancient PC with Windows and IIRC there was no issues when I updated Ledger firmware.
Maybe you can try to update firmware using Ledger Live app on your phone if you have OTG cable.

I would disagree with that, check the link in LeGaulois post. For everyone who complained that they couldn't install more than 2 or 3 apps at once, the situation improved. Ledger is also fix bug wich causes random reset on some configuration, some users on the forum report that issue.

Maybe you're right, it's not correct to call it minor update. But for people like me, who keep just few coins on wallet, there isn't many reasons to rush.

[HCP]

According to comments on Ledger Reddit many do not even see the option to update because the firmware is released progressively

I suspect that is to help reduce server load and prevent issues seen in previous updates where users were getting failures due to server overload and the updates failing.

Meanwhile... I'm back from my travels and was wanting to update to 1.6 to try it out... aaaaaaaaand no sign of it in my Ledger Live... I guess "3 days" is not quite "slightly later" enough for Ledger

Important note: the firmware update will be released progressively. If you don’t see it available in your Ledger Live application, don’t worry. This means you will be able to perform it slightly later.

[Lucius]

What did happened last time when you tried to update firmware? Because I also have ancient PC with Windows and IIRC there was no issues when I updated Ledger firmware.
Maybe you can try to update firmware using Ledger Live app on your phone if you have OTG cable.

The last firmware (1.5.5) is just stuck on the bootloader screen, and I failed to finish it on W7. It takes maybe 3 minutes on W10 to finish upgrade from that point. It's not just the operating system, but there is something in the combination with OS and user hardware. I use Nano S + Ledger Live (1.4.2 firmware) without any problems on W7, but after update to 1.5.5 any version of Ledger Live is just crash.

It is not possible to update firmware on the mobile version, at least that's the official answer from Ledger.

fabnormal
The firmware update is only supported on Ledger Live desktop. Ledger Live does not support Windows 7, you may try to use it, but we cannot provide support on this platform if it does not work.

HCP, as far as we can see from the comments on Reddit, users generally complain that they do not see the upgrade option on Ledger Live. It seems that "progressively" has its downsides as well.

[Pmalek]

I checked it yesterday when I was moving some coins and the new firmware is not available to me either. I am not sure how they are "progressively" selecting who gets it and who doesn't. Based on OS, geographical location, amount of apps on Ledger Live (not sure if this is something they can see)...

[Lucius]

My best guess is that it's about geolocation, which is implemented in two possible ways. First is that they allow some countries to update today, and then next day set up some other countries. The second way may be in the occasional rotation of countries in a way that certain countries have several hours each day when updates can be made.

I doubt it's OS-based selection or amount of apps we have on Ledger Live. There may be an algorithm that randomly adds/removes countries, so this all looks a bit like a lottery firmware update

[HCP]

Whatever algorithm they're using, it's starting to be annoying. It's been days since I got the email... and I still don't see the update button in Ledger Live. Either their server infrastructure needs some massive upgrades to support the load or their userbase is HUGE... I know which one I'm betting my money on!

Given the limited storage on the device... how big can a Nano S firmware update actually be anyway?

[tekno]

does it effect for memory? i mean after last firmware upgrade my device capacity decreased i think.

[HCP]

does it effect for memory? i mean after last firmware upgrade my device capacity decreased i think.

I can't answer for certain... as I can't update at the moment But the release notes indicate that they've made some optimisations so that you can install more coin apps. They say it should be similar to the amount of space for apps that was available in the 1.4.2 firmware.

Have a read of the "Increased Capacity" section here: https://www.ledger.com/new-firmware-update-for-ledger-nano-s