RoonPilot primary firmware

Firmware Installer

The primary ESP32-S3 firmware is installed only through this authorized browser installer. Factory and OTA images are not offered as standalone downloads.

Two independent processors. Check the name before the parentheses in the device chooser and select USB JTAG/serial debug unit for this installer. A Factory installation erases the complete ESP32-S3 and all of its settings. An original-firmware backup is optional and useful only if you may want to restore the exact manufacturer-delivered state later.

ESP32-S3 only · USB Web Serial

Install in the browser

Use a current desktop Chromium browser such as Chrome or Edge. Close every serial monitor before continuing. Firefox and Safari do not support this Web Serial workflow.

Entry in the device chooser

These names appear in the Web Installer dialog itself. The name before the parentheses is what matters:

Target device	Windows	macOS
RoonPilot main ESP32-S3	USB JTAG/serial debug unit (`COM…`)	USB JTAG/serial debug unit (`cu.usbmodem…`)
RoonPilot companion, classic ESP32	USB serial (`COM…`)	USB serial (`cu.usbserial…` or `cu.wchusbserial…`)

Select the first row here. No preliminary check in Device Manager, macOS System Information or esptool is required. If the open chooser shows USB serial, unplug USB, turn the USB-C plug at the round RoonPilot device by 180° and reconnect it. The Web Installer immediately detects the device again and shows USB JTAG/serial debug unit.

Erase during a Factory installation

No separate erase is needed beforehand. When the installer offers Erase device, select or confirm it for a first installation or complete recovery. This clean install erases all ESP32-S3 settings, but it does not erase the companion ESP32. Later online updates under System → Firmware update do not require an erase.

In the device chooser that opens next, I will select USB JTAG/serial debug unit for the round RoonPilot device. I understand that this Factory installation erases its current firmware and settings. I have read and accept the RoonPilot Personal-Use Binary License 1.0. I understand that redistribution, modification, reverse engineering, source recovery, competitive analysis and commercial use of RoonPilot-authored portions are prohibited except where mandatory law provides otherwise.

Use a current desktop Chromium browser with Web Serial, for example Chrome or Edge. Open this HTTPS page before connecting the USB device.

Continue after flashing

New installation? Start here.

The First Setup Guide walks through the temporary Wi-Fi network, Roon approval and the zone picker in the correct order.

Open the First Setup Guide

Factory installation

Available only through the Web Installer above. It erases the ESP32-S3 before installing RoonPilot.

Normal updates

Installed directly by RoonPilot under System → Firmware update. No OTA file download is offered.

Separate classic ESP32 · optional

Companion Sleep firmware

It releases shared signals, mutes the unused DAC path and puts the board's second ESP32 into deep sleep. RoonPilot also works fully without it.

The normal installation also needs no Python or command line and uses its own Web Installer. Select USB serial in the browser chooser, not USB JTAG/serial debug unit.

Open Companion Web Installer

Purpose and separate Windows/macOS instructions

Proprietary RoonPilot portions

License and third-party notices

Official, unmodified RoonPilot firmware may be installed and used privately on supported hardware. RoonPilot-authored code, assets and integration may not be redistributed, modified, reverse engineered or used in another product. Independently licensed third-party components retain their own rights and licenses.

License (English)Lizenz (Deutsch)Required notice Third-party notices Installation guide Factory-backup guide