Firmware Backup using wz_mini_hacks via SSH

[occultrefuse]

Hello,

I have a Cam v3 and a computer with macOS. Is it possible to create a backup of the original Wyze firmware using wz_mini_hacks via SSH? I'm considering installing thingino on the camera long-term but I'd like to have a firmware backup in case I ever need to sell it or give it to someone else who isn't tech savvy. Thanks.

[HeyItsDaddy]

I'll put this thought out there for someone to validate...if you have any of the Wyze firmwares (most of us using multiple Cam V3's have 4.36.9.139 permanently on the root of a SD card used specifically for flashing firmware), and you put the camera into manual firmware flash mode (holding down Setup while plugging it in) would do the trick no matter what firmware you had on there at the time, right? Unless there was some higher level root key/identifier it's also blowing away, I'd think this method would always work.

But, @gtxaspec would know all this and be able to answer in a heartbeat. <3

[occultrefuse]

From the wiki at themactep/thingino-firmware (link):

If you don't perform a full backup of your camera's flash storage, installation on Wyze devices is a one-way process. Without a backup, you won't be able to restore Wyze services on the device, ever. The flash storage holds your unique information needed to connect to the Wyze cloud.

[endertable]

The big point of reference is backing up the .product_config file that is in the /configs directory. That file contains your Wyze assigned MAC address, and your public key to be able to authenticate with Wyze services. Without it, you will NOT be able to connect back with the Wyze ecosystem.

Then, upon restoration, you must be able to place this file back into the /configs directory, reboot, and reinitialize the camera with Wyze services.

[occultrefuse]

Just to add to your post, it seems that the wz_mini_hacks software creates a directory in the SD card root directory called wyze_config_backup. It contains a backup configs directory with everything from [Wyze Camera Root]/configs. It can be copied directly from the SD card to one's desktop.

[wes58]

If you are thinking about thingino you can use Ingenic USB Cloner Tool to backup your firmware - https://thingino.com/cloner