How To Update Your Godox TT685 and V860 F flash for Fujifilm X-T2

Just got news that Godox released a firmware update for their TT685F and V860F flashes from Fujirumors.com, my favourite source of anything Fuji. One of the reasons why I switched from Yongnuo to Godox was because they had the ability to update firmware, and coincidentally, they released one a day after Fujifilm released their firmware version 3.0 for my X-T2.

Unfortunately, it's not a simple to upgrade the Godox as with the Fujifilm camera. Because I had two TT685F flashes, I decided to try one. 

First of all, the download link of the Godox firmware provided is broken (as of today 2nd Dec 2017) on the English page. Good news is I found the same file on the Chinese page here: http://www.godox.com/CN/Downloads.html. Does it change the flash interface language? I'll soon find out!

Next, download the Godox G1 firmware update software that's found on the same page (not Godox G2 which is different updater software). My second hurdle was found when I realised it only works on Windows whereas I have a MacBook. Good thing for virtual machines software. 

The next step is to extract the rar files, where there is one instruction PDF and the firmware file.

The instruction file might see a bit vague, so I'll try to explain it from my experience. 

Here's what you need to do:

1. Install the updater software

2. After completion, let the drivers get installed (if you missed this step by accidentally cancelling it like I did, then please read on)

3. Run the software. Unfortunately for me, it looked like this when I ran it. :(

4. Change the language to English by pressing the bottom left most button

5. Select your firmware file (.fri file, coz they did it on Friday...)

6. Turn OFF your flash and remove batteries from your flash

7. Connect it via USB to your computer

8. Press the test button once (the lightning button) on your flash to discharge the flash fully

9. The driver should be installed at this stage. If it fails, then manually go to your devices settings in Windows and update the driver manually. Select drivers from C:\Program Files (x86)\Godox G1

10. Press Connect on the updater software. It should say successfully connected

11. Press Upgrade. Once it finishes in a few seconds, you can remove your flash

12. Check firmware version by holding the Zm/C.Fn button on your flash for 3 seconds. It should say Ver 1.1 on the top right corner.

Here are the two new functionalities:

1. Wireless ID. It will only work with the Godox XPro wireless flash triggers, which is still not available for Fujifilm. How it works is basically to further ensure only your trigger works with your flash (setting between 0 to 99) which you need to setup on both flash and trigger.

2. Slave LED. This is basically the blinking red light on the front of the flash when the flash is set to Slave. If you find you don't need this function (coz it irritates the heck out of you), you can now stop it from blinking.

And thank God my flash interface was still in English!

I've tested this firmware briefly with my X-T2 firmware version 3.0 and TTL and HSS works fine. I have not done through testing, so update at your own risk!

Hope this helps someone since it wasn't so straightforward as I thought. I still haven't had the time to review my Godox gear for Fujifilm, but I shall soon. But so far I'm loving them!