fwupdmgr

command-line firmware update client

TLDR

List the devices fwupd can see

$ fwupdmgr get-devices

Refresh the firmware metadata from LVFS

$ fwupdmgr refresh

Refresh even if the cache is still considered fresh

$ fwupdmgr refresh --force

Show the updates waiting

$ fwupdmgr get-updates

Apply every available update

$ fwupdmgr update

Update one device by its ID

$ fwupdmgr update [device_id]

Show all releases published for a device

$ fwupdmgr get-releases [device_id]

Go back to an older firmware version

$ fwupdmgr downgrade [device_id]

Reinstall the version already running

$ fwupdmgr reinstall [device_id]

Show what has been flashed before

$ fwupdmgr get-history

List the configured remotes

$ fwupdmgr get-remotes

Enable the testing remote to get pre-release firmware

$ fwupdmgr enable-remote lvfs-testing

Check firmware checksums against the vendor's records

$ fwupdmgr verify [device_id]

Report the host's firmware security attributes

$ fwupdmgr security

fwupdmgr is the command-line client for fwupd, the Linux firmware update daemon. It enables updating device firmware including UEFI/BIOS, SSDs, Thunderbolt controllers, and other supported hardware.The tool connects to the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS) to download signed firmware updates. Manufacturers submit firmware to LVFS, which is then distributed to Linux users. Updates are applied either immediately or scheduled for the next reboot, depending on the device type.UEFI updates require the EFI System Partition to be properly mounted and writable.

PARAMETERS

get-devices

Show all devices detected by fwupd

refresh

Download latest firmware metadata from Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS)

get-updates

List available firmware updates for detected devices

update

Download and install firmware updates

get-history

Show firmware update history

downgrade

Downgrade firmware to older version

get-releases

Show available firmware releases for a device

reinstall

Reinstall current firmware

--version

Display fwupdmgr version

INSTALL

sudo apt install fwupd

sudo dnf install fwupd

sudo pacman -S fwupd

sudo apk add fwupd

sudo zypper install fwupd

brew install fwupd

nix profile install nixpkgs#fwupd

CAVEATS

Firmware updates carry risk of bricking hardware if interrupted. Ensure stable power during updates. Some updates require a reboot to apply. The /boot or EFI partition may need to be remounted with write permissions before updating UEFI firmware.

HISTORY

fwupdmgr is part of fwupd, created by Richard Hughes in 2015. The project was developed to bring reliable firmware updates to Linux, partnering with hardware vendors through the Linux Vendor Firmware Service. Major vendors including Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Logitech now distribute firmware via LVFS.

RESOURCES

Source code · Homepage