FritzBox users regularly receive software updates that provide new functions on the WLAN router. The first look at FritzOS 7.50, which AVM is now granting, is very exciting.
The next big update for the FritzBox firmware will be FritzOS 7.50. AVM has not yet revealed when that will be finished. But it is clear that there are big plans for numerous new functions and also an opportunity to get a taste of the innovations.
The prerequisite is the laboratory firmware 7.39, which is now available for a whole range of FritzBox WLAN routers:
- FRITZBox 7590 AX, 7590, 7530
- FRITZ Box 6690 Cable
- FRITZ Box 6591, 6660 Cable
- FRITZ Box 6890 LTE
- FRITZ Box 6850 LTE
- FRITZ Repeater 2400
Once updated, you can already test some of the planned innovations for FritzOS 7.50 in advance. How exactly this works with the laboratory versions is explained below. Now let’s show the planned ones New features of FritzOS 7.50.
FritzOS 7.50: WireGuard VPN and Mesh WLAN
FritzOS 7.50 will be a really big release that will upgrade the FritzBox in many places. The improvements alone, which have already been implemented in version 7.39, are diverse. AVM names almost 50 features. The most important innovations:
- WireGuard: The FritzBox gets support for the WireGuard VPN protocol.
- Phone book: Call diverts and call blocks can be applied to callers not in the phone book.
- FritzFon: There is an announcement for calls, alarms and appointments. In addition, an appointment calendar is supported on the FritzFon.
- smart home: Smarthome templates with convenience functions, for example to control WLAN guest access.
- Hard drives: ExFAT-formatted storage media are supported.
- Mesh WiFi: AVM also tackles the topic of mesh WLAN extensively. There are improvements in data rate, automatic channel selection and repeater mode.
- Surface: Adjustments to the FritzBox interface should provide a better overview, for example with WLAN settings.
- broadband: Improvements in interoperability compared to ADSL2+ and VDSL remote stations.
Use FritzBox laboratory firmware
A laboratory update for the FritzBox should be treated with caution and is certainly not something that all users should simply install. The status corresponds to that of a beta version and AVM assumes no liability for problems. Via “System|Update|FRITZ!OS-Version” you get back to the official FritzOS.
If you want to import the laboratory version of FritzOS, you should start an update run in advance in order to have the last stable version on the box. Then look for the download for your FritzBox model.
- Click “Download” and save the file to your computer.
- Unzip the zip file containing the firmware.
- Carry out the update via the FritzBox user interface and select “View: Advanced” in the footer.
- Select “System|Update” from the menu.
- Click on the “FRITZ!OS file” tab. Save the settings of your FritzBox.
- Then enter the name of the laboratory version and the path in the input field (e.g. C:Documents and SettingsUsernameDesktopFRITZ!Box-Labor-xxxx.image).
- Click on “Start update”.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
- The “Info” LED on your FritzBox flashes during the update process. This goes out when the update process is complete. As soon as the update is complete, the FritzBox is restarted and is then ready for operation again.