Bootloader too old for OTA rollback. Flash via USB once to update the bootloader

[morris2009]

Some of my Athom-tech devices now show up with the 'bootloader too old for OTA rollback warning after building with ESPhome 2026.5.0-dev
May not be a very big issue, but how would it be fixable, since you can't plug them into a USB socket to update the bootloader?

[17:20:47.996][I][app:141]: ESPHome version 2026.5.0-dev compiled on 2026-04-24 17:18:29 +0200
[17:20:47.996][I][app:143]: Project China Athom Technology.Smart Plug V3 version v2.0.1
[17:20:47.996][I][app:148]: ESP32 Chip: ESP32-C3 rev0.4, 1 core(s)
[17:20:47.997][W][app:183]: Bootloader too old for OTA rollback. Flash via USB once to update the bootloader

[Roving-Ronin]

@morris2009
This is a new feature (OTA rollback) that was added in ESPHome in the last few releases / month. Read the warning "Flash via USB once to update the bootloader" .

As I assume your talking about things like Athom Plugs (with no USB port), there is no fix for this, apart from destroying the sealed container to solder some jumper wires onto the terminals and then doing a USB firmware update or buying new plugs (when) that are factory flashed with this newer ESPHome version(s).

Otherwise we just have to accept it is what is it and move on / ignore the warning.

[morris2009]

Yes, apologies for being incomplete. I was talking about the Athom plugs.
unfortunate that there is no way to update the bootloader without destroying the sealed container, but oh well.
Tnx!