Use a manual SD-card update on the R7M when OTA cannot finish, you have no Wi-Fi, or you are on firmware v1.3.1 or below. This article is for the R7M only. If you have an R7X, use the manual firmware update via SD card (R7X). This is not the same as black-screen recovery. If the screen is fully black, or the display does not respond, use the recovery guide instead — the R7M and R7X share the same recovery package.
When to use this method
Your R7M is running firmware v1.3.1 or below.
An OTA update fails or does not complete.
You cannot connect to Wi-Fi for an OTA update.
You want to install the firmware from an SD card.
If the whole screen is black, follow If the screen goes black or an OTA update fails instead. The R7M and R7X share the same recovery package.
What you need
A microSD card. The card is required for system updates and is not included with the display. Use 8–32GB, formatted to FAT32. 32GB is the size we recommend. If the update does not start, try a different, healthy card.
A computer with an SD card reader.
Download the firmware
Download the latest firmware file and save it to your computer.
Prepare the SD card
Insert the microSD card into your computer’s card reader. Copy the firmware file to the root of the card — the main folder, not inside a subfolder. Then eject the card safely.
Install the update
Make sure the RiderNav Display is powered off.
Remove the display from the BMW navigation cradle.
Confirm the screen is completely off.
Insert the microSD card into the side card slot until it clicks.
Power on the display by mounting it back onto the BMW navigation cradle, or by connecting a USB-C cable.
Once it has power, the display will look for the firmware file and start the update. Progress is shown on the screen. Do not power off the display, remove the SD card, or unplug power during the update. When the update is complete, the display restarts on its own. The first startup after the update may take a little longer than usual.
How long it takes
Expect about 5–15 minutes, depending on the firmware size.
The screen shows progress during installation.
The display restarts automatically when it is done.
Confirm the version
Go to Settings → About.
Check the firmware version number.
Confirm it shows the version you installed.
If the update does not start or does not finish
If the update does not start after powering on: confirm the firmware file is in the root of the card, not in a folder. Re-download the file if it may be damaged, and make sure the card is fully inserted.
If the update fails or the display will not boot: try the steps again from the download. Use the correct firmware file for the R7M. If the screen is fully black, switch to black-screen recovery.
If your firmware is already above v1.3.1 and the screen still works, you can use a regular OTA update instead.