ZOOM M4 Firmware Update Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions

Introduction

Item to prepare

To update the firmware, you will need the following:

ZOOM M4 recorder
Windows or macOS computer with Internet access
microSD card

microSD Card Requirements:

Supported recording media:
microSDHC: 4 GB – 32 GB
microSDXC: 64 GB – 1 TB

Note: Always format microSD cards on the M4 after purchasing them new or using them with a different device.

Firmware update process overview:

Download the firmware update file.
Extract the ZIP file.
Copy the extracted firmware update file to a microSD card.
Update the firmware on the M4.
Confirm that the firmware has been updated correctly.

Updating the Firmware

This guide explains firmware update to version 1.10 as an example.

Step 1: Download the firmware update file

Download the ZIP file containing the firmware update file from the M4 download page on the ZOOM website. The download page typically offers the M4 Firmware and M4 ASIO Driver. Ensure you download the firmware ZIP file.

Step 2: Extract the ZIP file

On Windows:

Locate the downloaded ZIP file [?️ ZIP]. Select the folder containing the ZIP file. Click the "Compressed Folder Tools" tab (or similar) and then click "Extract all". This will extract the contents of the ZIP file.

After extraction, you will find files such as M4_Firmware_Update_Guide_E.pdf [? PDF], M4_Firmware_Version_History_E.pdf [? PDF], and the essential M4SYSTEM.BIN [⚙️ BIN] file.

On macOS:

After downloading, open the "Downloads" folder. Locate the downloaded ZIP file [?️ ZIP]. Click on the ZIP file to extract its contents. Downloaded files will be shown.

After extraction, you will find files such as M4_Firmware_Update_Guide_E.pdf [? PDF], M4_Firmware_Version_History_E.pdf [? PDF], and the essential M4SYSTEM.BIN [⚙️ BIN] file.

Step 3: Copy the firmware update file to a microSD card

Copy the M4SYSTEM.BIN [⚙️ BIN] file from the extracted folder to the root directory of your microSD card [? microSD].

Steps 4-6: Prepare the M4 for update

The following procedures are the same on both Windows and macOS.

Step 4: Install batteries or connect power

Install new batteries in the M4 or connect an AC adapter. Note: The firmware update is not possible if the remaining battery power is low.

Step 5: Insert the microSD card

Insert the prepared microSD card [? microSD] into the M4's microSD card slot.

Step 6: Power on the M4

Slide the HOLD switch [? HOLD] toward the power button [⏻] (located on the side of the device) until the device powers on. This action turns the M4 power on and opens the Home Screen on the display.

Steps 7-9: Navigate the M4 menu

Step 7: Access the Menu

Press the MENU button [☰ MENU] on the M4. This opens the Menu Screen on the display.

Step 8: Select "System"

Use the Up/Down navigation buttons [⬆️⬇️] to select "System" and press the ENTER button [✅ ENTER] to confirm.

Step 9: Select "Firmware"

Use the Up/Down navigation buttons [⬆️⬇️] to select "Firmware" and press the ENTER button [✅ ENTER] to confirm.

Steps 10-12: Initiate the firmware update

Step 10: Start the update process

Press the UPDATE button [? UPDATE]. The display will show current system information (e.g., SYSTEM: 1.00, BOOT: 1.00, TC: 1.00, CHECKSUM: 4654).

Step 11: Execute the update

Use the Up/Down navigation buttons [⬆️⬇️] to select "Execute" and press the ENTER button [✅ ENTER] to confirm.

Step 12: Confirm restart prompt

Slide the HOLD switch [? HOLD] toward the power button [⏻] until "Goodbye! See You!" appears on the display. This indicates the device is ready to restart for the update.

Steps 13-14: Complete the update and power off

Step 13: Allow update execution

Slide the HOLD switch [? HOLD] toward the power button [⏻] again. The update will be executed automatically, and the REC indicator [? REC] will blink slowly. After approximately 1 minute, a completion screen will appear stating "Firmware Complete! Please restart."

Note: During the firmware update, do not turn the power off or remove the microSD card. If the update fails, the REC indicator [? REC] will blink rapidly. In this case, turn the power off, confirm that the microSD card [? microSD] is loaded correctly, then turn the power on and try updating again.

Step 14: Power off the M4

Slide the HOLD switch [? HOLD] toward the power button [⏻]. This turns the M4 power off.

Note: If the firmware update failed and the unit might not be possible to start (REC indicator [? REC] blinking), turn the power off and repeat steps 1–6.

Confirming that the firmware has been updated correctly

Check the firmware versions used by the M4 to ensure the update was successful.

Steps 1-3: Navigate to Firmware Version

Step 1: Access the Menu