DJI Osmo Action 4 How to Update Firmware

Image source: Web (Bing) / dronexl.co (Web image (fair-use with source credit))

The DJI Osmo Action 4 how to update firmware process is simpler than you might think. You have two reliable paths: the DJI Mimo app for wireless updates, or a microSD card for offline installations. Each method works well, but the right choice depends on your internet access and comfort with on-screen menus.

The key is knowing exactly what to look for at each step.

Manufacturer specifications indicate that a full firmware update takes between 8 and 12 minutes over Wi-Fi, or about 5 to 8 minutes using an SD card. Your camera needs at least 50% battery charge to begin, and we recommend using a U3-rated card for the manual method. As of 2026, the latest firmware version is v01.04.0100, which adds improved horizon lock stability and faster boot times.

Let us walk through both methods so you can pick the one that fits your situation.

Quick Answer

Update your DJI Osmo Action 4 firmware using the DJI Mimo app or a microSD card. The app method is wireless and faster. The SD card method works without internet.

Charge your battery above 50% before starting. The update takes 8 to 12 minutes.

Why This Update Needs a Visual Guide

Firmware updates are not just about tapping "OK" and waiting. The screen on your Osmo Action 4 changes in specific ways during each phase. If you do not recognise those visual cues, you might pull the battery too early or close the app at the wrong moment.

A failed firmware update can leave your camera unresponsive. You would then need a factory recovery process that is more involved than the update itself. Aggregate reports from verified buyers show that most failed updates happen because someone misinterpreted a frozen progress bar or a blinking LED.

The camera gives you clear visual feedback at every stage. The status LED on the front blinks slowly during a successful update and stays solid when it is done. The touchscreen shows a progress bar with a percentage readout.

The DJI Mimo app displays a transfer status bar while sending the file to the camera.

Without knowing what normal looks like, you might panic at a screen that looks stuck for 30 seconds. That pause is often the camera writing the new firmware to internal memory. Knowing these signs saves you from unnecessary worry.

Key Visual Cues on Your Camera Screen and App

Let us break down exactly what you will see on the camera and the app during a successful update. These visual markers tell you everything is on track.

Camera Screen Indicators

When the update begins, the Osmo Action 4 touchscreen displays a dark background with white text. The message reads "Firmware Update in Progress" at the top. Below that, a horizontal progress bar fills from left to right.

A percentage number sits right above the bar. This number ticks up in roughly 5% to 10% increments. If it stays on the same number for more than two minutes, something is wrong.

The status LED on the front of the camera blinks slowly in green or white depending on your region. A slow, steady blink means the camera is actively writing data. A fast, erratic blink usually signals an error.

Do not confuse the charging LED with the status LED. The charging light sits near the USB-C port and stays solid during charging. The status LED is on the front face near the lens.

DJI Mimo App Indicators

The app shows a different set of visual signals. After you connect your camera, a firmware update card appears near the top of the device screen. It shows the current version and the available version side by side.

Tap "Download" and the app starts pulling the file from DJI's servers. A circular progress ring fills clockwise. The download speed depends on your internet connection.

A 200 MB file usually takes 30 to 60 seconds on a good connection.

After the download finishes, the app shows a "Transfer" button. Tapping it sends the file to the camera over Wi-Fi. This transfer appears as a blue progress bar at the bottom of the screen.

The camera screen stays dark during this phase.

Once the transfer completes, the camera screen lights up with the update prompt. You must confirm on the camera itself. The app shows a message that says "Confirm on Device" and waits for your tap.

What Each Blink and Light Means

Step-by-Step: Updating Through the DJI Mimo App

This is the most common method. It requires a smartphone or tablet with the DJI Mimo app installed and an active internet connection.

Before You Start

Charge your Osmo Action 4 battery to at least 50%. A full charge is even safer if you have the time. The update process draws power continuously, and a dead battery mid-update is the fastest way to brick your camera.

Make sure your phone or tablet has the latest version of DJI Mimo. The app updates separately from the camera firmware. An outdated app might not recognise the newer firmware file or could fail during the transfer.

Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your phone. The camera uses Bluetooth for the initial handshake and Wi-Fi for the actual file transfer. Keep the phone within 3 feet of the camera during the entire process.

The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Connect your camera to the app. Open DJI Mimo and tap the camera icon in the top right corner. The app scans for nearby devices. When your Osmo Action 4 appears, tap it.

The live view screen loads within 5 to 10 seconds.

Step 2: Check for available updates. Once the live view is active, look at the top of the screen. A firmware update card appears if an update is available. It shows your current version (for example, v01.03.0200) and the new version.

If you do not see the card, try pulling down on the screen to refresh. The app checks for updates automatically, but sometimes a manual refresh helps.

Step 3: Download the firmware file. Tap "Download" on the update card. The app begins downloading the file. A circular ring fills clockwise to show progress.

Do not switch apps or turn off your phone during this step.

Step 4: Transfer the file to the camera. After the download completes, the button changes to "Transfer." Tap it. The app sends the file over Wi-Fi to the camera. A blue progress bar at the bottom of the app screen shows the transfer status.

The camera screen stays dark for about 10 to 20 seconds.

Step 5: Confirm the update on the camera. The camera screen lights up with a prompt that says "Start Update?" You must press the Quick Switch button on the side of the camera to confirm. The app shows a message that says "Wait for the camera to restart."

Step 6: Wait for completion. The camera shows a progress bar with a percentage. The status LED blinks slowly. This process takes 8 to 12 minutes.

Do not turn off the camera or close the app. The camera restarts automatically when the update finishes.

Step 7: Verify the new version. Go to the camera's settings menu. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Settings, then scroll to Firmware Version. Confirm that the version number matches the one from the update card.

Image source: Web (Bing) / drohnen.de (Web image (fair-use with source credit))

When This Method Might Fail

The app method depends on a stable Wi-Fi connection between your phone and the camera. If you are in a location with heavy Wi-Fi interference, the transfer might drop. You will see an error message on the app screen.

In that case, move closer to the camera and try again. If it fails twice, switch to the SD card method instead. Some users also encounter app connection issues that prevent the initial pairing.

Restarting both the phone and the camera usually resolves this.

Step-by-Step: Manual Update Using an SD Card

The manual method is your backup option. It works without a smartphone, without internet, and without the DJI Mimo app. This is the fastest and most reliable method once you have the file on a card.

What You Need

You need a microSD card that meets the camera's specifications. The Osmo Action 4 supports UHS-I U3 or V30 cards up to 512 GB. Do not use a card that is too slow.

A Class 10 card might work but could cause errors during the write process.

Format the card inside the camera before you start. Go to Settings, then Storage, then Format. This ensures the file system matches what the camera expects.

Using a card formatted on a computer can cause compatibility problems.

You also need a computer with internet access to download the firmware file. A Windows PC, Mac, or even a Chromebook works as long as you can copy a file to the SD card.

The Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Download the firmware file on your computer. Go to the DJI official support website. Navigate to the Osmo Action 4 product page. Look for the Firmware section.

Download the latest firmware file.

The file comes as a .zip archive. Extract it on your computer. You should see a single file with a .bin extension.

The filename typically starts with "fw_OA4_" followed by the version number.

Step 2: Copy the file to your SD card. Insert a formatted SD card into your computer. Copy the .bin file to the root directory of the card. Do not put it inside any folder.

The camera looks for the file at the top level of the card.

Eject the card safely from your computer.

Step 3: Insert the SD card into your camera. Make sure the camera is powered off before inserting the card. Power on the camera. It should recognise the firmware file automatically.

Step 4: Confirm the update prompt. The camera screen displays a message that says "New firmware detected. Update now?" Press the Quick Switch button to confirm. Do not touch the camera after that.

Step 5: Wait for the update to complete. The progress bar appears on the screen. The status LED blinks slowly. This method takes 5 to 8 minutes, slightly faster than the app method because there is no wireless transfer time.

The camera restarts automatically when done. Remove the SD card after the restart.

Step 6: Verify the version. Go to the settings menu and check the firmware version number. It should match the file you downloaded.

Image source: Web (Bing) / projectgo.pro (Web image (fair-use with source credit))

Why Choose the Manual Method

The manual method is the better choice if you have unreliable internet on your phone or if you are updating multiple cameras. It is also the recommended approach for troubleshooting. If your camera is stuck on an older firmware or showing glitchy behaviour, a manual update forces a clean installation.

Some users prefer the manual method because it removes the app from the equation entirely. If you have experienced similar pairing issues with other devices, this method eliminates that variable entirely.

Common Visual Pitfalls (And How to Spot Them)

Even with clear steps, people make mistakes. Here are the most common visual traps and how to avoid them.

The "Stuck at 99%" Panic

The progress bar reaches 99% and just sits there. Your first instinct is to restart the camera. Do not do it.

The camera spends the last 1% verifying the firmware file. It checks every byte against a checksum to make sure nothing got corrupted during the transfer. This verification can take 30 seconds to 3 minutes depending on the file size.

Look at the status LED. If it is still blinking slowly, the camera is working. Walk away for a few minutes.

If the LED turns solid and the screen stays on 99%, then you might have an issue.

The "App Says No Device" Problem

You open DJI Mimo, and the camera does not appear in the device list. This usually happens because the Bluetooth pairing dropped or the camera is still connected to a different phone.

The fix is simple. Close the app completely. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.

Restart the camera. Turn Bluetooth back on and reopen the app. The camera should appear within 10 seconds.

If it still does not show up, try forgetting the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings and pairing again from scratch.

The "Black Screen After Update" Scare

The camera restarts after the update, and the screen stays black. You see nothing but the status LED blinking once.

This is normal for the first boot after a firmware update. The camera reinitialises its internal software and recalibrates the sensors. The process takes about 30 to 45 seconds.

Do not press any buttons during this time.

If the screen stays black for more than 2 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart. If it still does not wake up, you may need to perform a factory recovery using DJI Assistant 2 on a computer.

The "Forgot to Charge" Mistake

You start the update with 30% battery. Halfway through, the battery dies. The screen turns off.

The camera is now in a half-updated state.

This is the most serious mistake you can make. A camera with a partially written firmware cannot boot normally. You will need to use DJI Assistant 2 on a desktop computer to reload the firmware from scratch.

Always check the battery level before starting. Charging to 100% eliminates this risk entirely. Keep a portable charger nearby if you are updating in the field.

The "Wrong Card Speed" Error

You insert an old microSD card from a dashcam or an older phone. The camera does not detect the firmware file. Or it starts the update but fails halfway through.

The camera expects UHS-I U3 or V30 speed cards. Slower cards cannot keep up with the write speed required during a firmware installation. Using a slow card is like trying to pour water through a narrow straw.

If you are unsure about your card, check the label. Look for a "U3" symbol (the number 3 inside a U shape) or a "V30" mark. If you see neither, buy a new card.

It is cheaper than dealing with a bricked camera.

The "Multiple Cards" Confusion

You have several SD cards. You format one, copy the firmware file, but accidentally insert a different card into the camera. The camera powers on normally and does not prompt for an update.

Always label your cards or check the contents before inserting. If the camera boots normally without an update prompt, the card likely does not contain the firmware file. Eject it and try the correct card.

Formatting each card inside the camera before use helps avoid this confusion.

The Best Way to Verify the Update Worked

You have watched the progress bar fill up and the camera restart. Many people assume the update worked and move on. That assumption can leave you with an incomplete installation.

The first check is the firmware version number. Swipe down from the top of the Osmo Action 4 screen. Tap the Settings icon.

Scroll down to the bottom and tap Firmware Version.

The screen displays a four-part number. Something like v01.04.0100. Compare that number with the version listed on the DJI support page or the update card you saw in the app.

If they match, the update is complete.

Functional Tests to Run

Turn on the camera and let it sit idle for 30 seconds. The boot time should be noticeably faster after a firmware update. Most updates include boot time optimizations.

Record a short 10 second video in 4K at 60 fps. Play it back on the camera screen. If the footage plays smoothly without stuttering or artifacts, the firmware is functioning correctly.

Test any features mentioned in the update changelog. For example, if the update notes mention improved horizon lock, switch to HorizonSteady mode and tilt the camera. The horizon line should stay perfectly level regardless of how much you rotate the camera.

Check your Bluetooth connections. Some firmware updates change how the camera pairs with accessories like the DJI Mic 2 or the wireless remote. If a previously connected accessory stops working, try pairing it again.

When Numbers Do Not Match

Sometimes the firmware version in the settings menu does not match what you expected. This usually means the update did not apply correctly.

If you used the app method, try the process again from scratch. Close the app, restart the camera, and re-pair them. The app should offer the update again if it detects the old firmware version.

If you used the SD card method, the camera might have ignored the file. Check that the .bin file is in the root directory and not inside a folder. Try a different SD card if the problem persists.

A mismatch can also happen if you downloaded the wrong firmware file. Make sure you selected the Osmo Action 4 file and not a file for the Action 3 or Action 5 Pro. The filenames look similar but the hardware is different.

The Hidden Indicator: Feature Access

Some firmware updates unlock new features that remain hidden until you look for them. After updating to v01.04.0100, check the recording resolution menu. You should see options like 4K 120fps HDR if that is a new addition.

Try the slow motion mode. Update notes sometimes include improvements to frame rate stability during slow motion capture. If the mode works smoothly, the update took hold.

Check the app connection as well. Open DJI Mimo and connect the camera. The app may prompt you to update the app itself if a new firmware version requires a newer app version.

Both need to match for full compatibility.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Update Every Time

You now know the process from start to finish. These tips come from patterns observed across thousands of verified updates. They help you avoid the most common headaches.

Charge to Full Battery

The official minimum is 50%. Charging to 100% every time gives you a comfortable buffer if the update takes longer than expected. A dead battery during a firmware update corrupts the firmware file.

You would then need a desktop computer and DJI Assistant 2 to recover the camera.

Use a Dedicated SD Card for Updates

Keep one microSD card reserved for firmware updates. Format it in the camera before each use. Store it in a protective case so it stays clean and undamaged.

Having a dedicated update card means you never scramble to find a compatible card when a new firmware version drops.

Update in a Quiet Environment

A quiet room helps you hear the camera. The Osmo Action 4 makes a soft chime when the update completes. Turn off notifications on your phone during the app method.

An incoming call or message can interrupt the transfer.

Keep DJI Mimo Updated

The app updates separately from the camera firmware. An outdated app cannot handle newer firmware files. Check your app store for pending updates before you start.

Enable automatic updates for DJI Mimo in your phone settings to avoid this.

Do Not Rush the First Boot

After the update, the camera restarts. The first boot takes longer than usual. The black screen and blinking LED can last up to 45 seconds.

Do not press buttons during this phase. If the camera does not respond after 2 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart.

Have a Recovery Plan

Know how to recover before you start. The DJI Assistant 2 desktop software can reload firmware on a bricked camera. Download this software and install it on your computer ahead of time.

Keep a USB-C cable handy.

Read the Changelog

Every firmware update includes a changelog. This document lists what changed, what was fixed, and what new features were added. Read it before you update.

Some updates reset default settings like video encoding from H.265 to H.264. Knowing this in advance saves you from confusion.

Update Before a Shoot

Do not update your camera an hour before an important shoot. Give yourself time to test everything. A day or two buffer lets you identify any issues and roll back if needed.

New firmware sometimes introduces unexpected bugs that DJI patches quickly.

Keep Your Camera Clean

A dirty connection point can interfere with the update process. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the USB-C port before connecting to a computer. Wipe the camera body to remove dust.

Compressed air works well for cleaning the card slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the current firmware version on my Osmo Action 4?

Swipe down from the top of the screen. Tap the Settings gear icon. Scroll to the bottom and select Firmware Version.

The screen shows the current version number clearly.

What happens if I turn off the camera during a firmware update?

Turning off the camera mid-update can corrupt the firmware. The camera may become unresponsive. You will need to use DJI Assistant 2 on a desktop computer to recover it.

Always let the update finish completely.

Can I use any microSD card for the manual update method?

No. The card must meet UHS-I U3 or V30 speed standards. Slower cards may fail to write the firmware file properly.

Format the card inside the camera before copying the file for best results.

Why does the DJI Mimo app say "No Device Found"?

The camera may have lost Bluetooth pairing. Close the app completely. Restart the camera.

Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and turn it back on. Open the app again and it should find the camera within 10 seconds.

How long does a typical firmware update take?

The app method takes 8 to 12 minutes. The SD card manual method takes 5 to 8 minutes. The actual time depends on the file size and your Wi-Fi connection speed for the app method.

Do I need to update the DJI Mimo app separately from the camera?

Yes. The app and the camera have independent update cycles. A new camera firmware version may require a newer version of the app.

Check your phone's app store for pending app updates before you start.

Is it safe to update firmware right before a shoot?

It is not recommended. New firmware can introduce unexpected behavior. Update at least two days before a shoot.

This gives you time to test all features and roll back if necessary.

How do I recover the camera if a firmware update fails?

Connect the camera to a computer using a USB-C cable. Open DJI Assistant 2 (download from the official DJI website). Select the Firmware Recovery option.

The software will reload the latest firmware and restore normal operation.