Software Updates

For best results, you should update the software in all Fusion^® devices regularly. Some features, such as the Fusion PartyBus™ group functionality may not work properly unless all connected stereos are using the same software version.

Depending on your stereo and network connections, you may be able to use any or all of these update methods:

If you have one or more stereos with Wi‑Fi^® functionality or connected to a wireless network, you can update the software using the Fusion Audio remote control app (Updating the Software Using the Fusion Audio App).
If you prefer to not use the remote control app, you can update the software using a single-stereo update file loaded onto a USB flash drive (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).
If you have multiple stereos connected using Ethernet cables as part of a Fusion entertainment network, you can update all of the connected stereos using an entertainment package network update file loaded onto a USB flash drive ¹ (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).
If you have any Garmin Spectra™ lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000^® network as the stereo, you can update the stereo and the lighting controller software using an entertainment package network update file loaded onto a USB flash drive ¹ (Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive).
If the stereo is connected to a compatible Garmin^® chartplotter, you can update the stereo using a network full marine package update downloaded from the Garmin website or from Garmin Express™ and loaded onto a memory card ¹ (Network Update Options ).

You can use this table to best determine what update methods are available for your stereo or stereos and find additional information about each type of update.


Devices	Available Update Methods	Update Method Details
A Fusion Apollo™ stereo only	Fusion Audio remote control app USB flash drive (single-stereo update)	None
A Fusion Apollo stereo A Garmin Spectra lighting controller connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo	Fusion Audio remote control app USB flash drive (single-stereo update) USB flash drive (entertainment package network update)	You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update a connected lighting controller. Updating using the remote control app updates the stereo only, and does not update a connected lighting controller.
One or more Fusion Apollo stereos not connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network One or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo or stereos	Fusion Audio remote control app USB flash drive (single-stereo update) USB flash drive (entertainment package network update ¹)	You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers. Because the stereos are not connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network, you must update each stereo individually, using either the either USB flash drive method or using the remote control app. Updating using the remote control app updates the stereo only, and does not update a connected lighting controller.
Multiple Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network with a mix of stereos connected using Ethernet cables and Wi‑Fi connections With or without one or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the stereos	Fusion Audio remote control app USB flash drive (single-stereo update) USB flash drive (entertainment package network update ¹)	You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers. Only stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using an Ethernet cable update at the same time when using the entertainment package network update. Stereos connected using Wi‑Fi technology must be updated individually. If you update using the remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update, it can update multiple stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables as long as they are all the same model. Stereos of different models must be updated individually. The remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update does not update a connected lighting controller.
Multiple Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables only (no stereos connected using Wi‑Fi technology) With or without one or more Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the stereos	Fusion Audio remote control app USB flash drive (single-stereo update) USB flash drive (entertainment package network update ¹)	You must use the USB flash drive entertainment package update method to update the lighting controller or controllers. The entertainment package update method also updates all stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables, regardless of model. If you update using the remote control app or a USB flash drive single-stereo update, it can update multiple stereos connected as part of a Fusion entertainment network using Ethernet cables as long as they are all the same model. Stereos of different models must be updated individually. The remote control app or USB flash drive single-stereo update does not update a connected lighting controller.
One or more Fusion Apollo stereos connected to a Garmin chartplotter using a wired Garmin BlueNet™ or Garmin Marine Network connection. With or without a single or multiple Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as at least one of the chartplotters or stereos	Memory card using a networked compatible Garmin chartplotter (full marine package network update ¹) Fusion Audio remote control app or USB flash drive (single-stereo update)²	The full marine package update method updates all Garmin devices connected to the wired Garmin BlueNet or Garmin Marine Network and the NMEA 2000 network at one time, including connected stereos and lighting controllers. If you have an NRX remote control connected to the stereo, it is not updated as part of the full marine package update method. You must perform updates to those devices individually (Update Options ). If your stereo or stereos are connected to a Garmin chartplotter, you should perform an update using the full marine package update method on a memory card thorough the chartplotter. It is not recommend to use any other update method with this setup. If your stereo or stereos are not running SW version 6.20 or later, you should disconnect it from the Garmin networked devices and perform a single-stereo update. After this update, you can reconnect the stereo and use the full marine package update method for all future updates.

Updating the Software Using a USB Flash Drive

You can update the device software using a USB flash drive. You can prepare a suitable USB flash drive by manually downloading and loading the update files, or you can use the Garmin Express app.

Do not turn off the device or disconnect the power during a software update. Turning off the power during a software update may cause the device to become unresponsive.

NOTE:

You cannot update the software using a USB flash drive formatted using the NTFS file system. If you encounter problems updating the device, format the USB flash drive using FAT32 and try the update process again.
The device may restart a few times while updating the software. This is expected behavior.
You can program only newer versions of software on the device.
You can download an entertainment package to update all Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables and any Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo ¹.
If you have different stereo models connected, you should start an entertainment package update from the newest stereo, such as the MS-RA800. The newest stereo can update all older stereo models, while an older stereo model may not be able to update a newer model.

NOTE: If the stereo you want to update is in a group, you must remove it from the group (Leaving a Group).

Select an option to prepare the USB flash drive for updating the stereo software:
- Download the software update manually and load it onto the USB flash drive (Downloading a Software Update Manually).
- Prepare the USB flash drive using the Garmin Express app (Downloading a Software Update using the Garmin Express App).
After you prepare the USB flash drive with the software-update files, insert the USB flash drive into the stereo and use the stereo interface to proceed with the update (Updating the Software from a Prepared USB Flash Drive).

Downloading a Software Update Manually

You can download the proper update file for your stereo, stereo accessory, or applicable connected entertainment devices from the Garmin website and manually prepare a USB flash drive to update the stereo.

Select an option:
- If you want to download the single-stereo USB software update or an accessory software update file, go to the page for your stereo or stereo accessories on support.garmin.com.
- If you want to download the entertainment package to update all Fusion Apollo stereos connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables, and any Garmin Spectra lighting controllers connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the stereo, go to garmin.com/support/software/marine/.
Download the stereo update file, the accessory update file, or the entertainment package update file.
Insert a properly-formatted USB flash drive of sufficient size into your computer.
Extract the contents of the .zip file to the root of a USB flash drive.

The contents of the software update are contained in a folder named Garmin.
Eject or safely remove the USB flash drive from the computer.

Install the update on the stereo (Updating the Software from a Prepared USB Flash Drive).

Downloading a Software Update using the Garmin Express App

You should use a blank USB flash drive for updates. The update process erases the content and reformats the USB flash drive.

Turn on the stereo.
Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port on the stereo.
Select > SETTINGS > UPDATE > SAVE GARMIN DEVICES.

The stereo writes a small file on the USB flash drive that is used by the Garmin Express app to identify the stereo and connected devices and download the appropriate update file.
After about ten seconds or more, remove the USB flash drive from the stereo.
If necessary, install the Garmin Express app on your computer (Installing the Garmin Express App on a Computer).
Open the Garmin Express app on your computer.
Insert the USB flash drive into the computer.
If available, select your vessel and device or select the option to add a device by reading the USB flash drive.
If updates are available, select Software Updates > Continue.
Read and agree to the terms.
Select the drive letter for the USB flash drive.
Review the reformat warning, and select OK.
Wait while the software update is copied to the USB flash drive.

NOTE: Copying the update file onto the USB flash drive may take from a few minutes up to a few hours.
When the process is complete, close the Garmin Express app.
Eject or safely remove the USB flash drive from the computer.

Install the update on the stereo (Updating the Software from a Prepared USB Flash Drive).

Installing the Garmin Express App on a Computer

You can install the Garmin Express app on a Windows^® or Mac^® computer.

Go to garmin.com/express.
Select Download for Windows or Download for Mac.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Updating the Software from a Prepared USB Flash Drive

Before you update the software, you must load the software update files onto a suitable USB flash drive either manually (Downloading a Software Update Manually) or by using the Garmin Express app (Downloading a Software Update using the Garmin Express App).

Do not turn off the stereo or disconnect the power during a software update. Turning off the power during a software update may cause the stereo to become unresponsive.

NOTE: The stereo may restart a few times while updating the software. This is expected behavior.

Turn on the stereo.
After the stereo boots fully, insert the USB flash drive into the USB port.

NOTE: In order for the update prompt to appear automatically, you must allow the device to fully boot before inserting the USB flash drive.
If you are prompted to update the software automatically, select Install Now to start the update and skip the next step.
If the update prompt does not appear automatically, select an option:
- To update the stereo software, select > SETTINGS > UPDATE > UPDATE DEVICES.
- To update accessories connected to the stereo, select > SETTINGS > UPDATE > ACCESSORIES and select the name of the accessory you want to update.
  
  NOTICE
  
  To ensure all accessories are updated properly, you should update the stereo software first, then update the accessories.
Wait several minutes while the update process completes.

TIP: When using a single-stereo update, if you have multiple stereos of this model connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables, they are all updated at the same time ¹. If you have multiple stereos of different models, you must update each separately. Using an entertainment package instead updates all connected Fusion Apollo stereos, regardless of model.
Leave the USB flash drive in place while the stereo updates.

The stereo may reboot multiple times during the update process.
When prompted, select RESTART to finalize the update process.
After the stereo fully boots after restarting, remove the USB flash drive.

NOTE: If the USB flash drive is removed before the device restarts fully, the update is not complete.

Updating the Software Using the Fusion Audio App

If the stereo has a Wi‑Fi access point or is connected to a Fusion PartyBus network with a Wi‑Fi access point, you can update the stereo software using the Fusion Audio app, available for compatible Apple^® or Android™ on the Apple App Store℠ or the Google Play™ store.

Do not turn off the stereo or disconnect the power during a software update. Turning off the power during a software update may cause the device to become unresponsive.

NOTE: If the stereo you want to update is in a group, you must remove it from the group (Leaving a Group).

NOTE:

The stereo may restart a few times while updating the software. This is expected behavior.
You can program only newer versions of software on the stereo.

If necessary, connect your mobile device to the stereo using one of these methods:
- Connect your mobile device to the stereo using a Bluetooth^® connection.
  
  NOTE: You can use a Bluetooth connection to access the stereo information and allow the app to download an update, but you must switch to a Wi‑Fi connection to transfer the update to the stereo at the appropriate time. You cannot update the stereo using only a Bluetooth connection.
- Connect your mobile device to the stereo using a Wi‑Fi access point on the stereo.
- Connect your mobile device to a Wi‑Fi access point on the same Fusion PartyBus network as the stereo.
Open the Fusion Audio app, and verify that you can see the stereo in the app.
If your mobile device is connected to a Wi‑Fi access point on the stereo or the Fusion PartyBus network, disconnect the mobile device from the Wi‑Fi access point, and connect it to a different Wi‑Fi network with internet access or to the wireless mobile data connection from your carrier.

NOTE: You must connect your mobile device to the internet in order to download the necessary software update files.

TIP: If your Fusion PartyBus network is presently connected to a router with a modem or SIM card that provides internet access, you can leave your mobile device connected to the network instead of disconnecting and using the wireless mobile data connection from your carrier to download the update files.
In the Fusion Audio app, select > GENERAL > Software Update.
Select the Online Software Update.

The app downloads the software update file.
After the app finishes downloading the update file, reconnect the mobile device to the Wi‑Fi access point on the stereo or the Fusion PartyBus network.
If necessary, in the Fusion Audio app, reconnect to the stereo.
If necessary, select > GENERAL > Software Updates > Online Software Update.

The app transfers the software update to the stereo over the Wi‑Fi connection, the stereo updates the software, and then it restarts.

TIP: If you have multiple stereos of this model connected as part of an entertainment network using Ethernet cables, they are all updated at the same time ¹. If you have multiple stereos of different models, you must update each separately.

Network Update Options

When connected to the same Garmin BlueNet network or Garmin Marine Network as a compatible Garmin chartplotter, you can update your compatible Fusion stereos and accessories from the chartplotter.

You can perform a Garmin network update which updates all of the of Garmin and Fusion devices connected to the network.

Updating the Software as Part of a Garmin Network Update

If the stereo is connected to the same Garmin BlueNet network or Garmin Marine Network as a compatible Garmin chartplotter, you can perform a network update on the chartplotter to update all of the connected Garmin devices and Fusion Apollo stereos.

NOTE: A stereo must be running software version 6.20 or later to receive an update over the network. If your stereo is running an earlier software version, you should disconnect it from the network and update it using a USB flash drive before reconnecting and trying a network update.

NOTE: If you have one or more NRX remote controls connected to the stereo, they are not updated as part a marine network update. You must perform updates to those devices individually (Update Options ).

If needed, go to garmin.com/manuals and locate the latest version of the owner's manual for your connected chartplotter.
Select an option:
- Use the ActiveCaptain^® app to initiate the software update.
- Go to garmin.com/support/software/marine/ to download the latest marine update .
  
  NOTE: If you do not use the ActiveCaptain app, you must download the update and install it using a memory card on the chartplotter.
Follow the directions in the chartplotter owner's manual for performing a network update.

The software is updated on all of your connected devices, including the stereo.

NOTE: Depending on the capabilities and software version of your connected chartplotter, it may not include this stereo in the Garmin network update until after the chartplotter is updated to a more-current version. If the stereo is not updated after the network update completes, try performing the network update again. If the stereo is not updated after the chartplotter is up-to-date, perform a manual update on the stereo instead, using the Fusion Audio app or a USB drive (Software Updates).

¹ A stereo must be running SW version 6.20 or later to receive an update over the network. A stereo must be running SW version 6.40 or later to send software updates to other stereos on the network. Update any stereos individually as needed before trying a network update.

² Not recommended. You should use a full marine package network update if your stereo or stereos are connected to a Garmin chartplotter.

Fusion Apollo™ MS-RA800

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