Editing Bambu Lab Authorization Control System (section)

==Impact on third-party integration and user choice==

===Changes to third-party access===
The new authorization system replaces direct network API access with a more limited URL-based interface through Bambu Connect. Third-party software can only interact with the printer by sending specific URL commands to Bambu Connect.<ref name="bambu-connect" /> The interface requires three parameters:

*<code>path</code>: The absolute file system path to the 3MF file (e.g., /tmp/cube.gcode.3mf)
*<code>name</code>: The name of the file (e.g., Cube)
*<code>version</code>: A fixed value of 1.0.0 for compatibility

A complete command must be formatted as:

 bambu-connect://import-file?path=%2Ftmp%2Fcube.gcode.3mf&name=Cube&version=1.0.0

This interface only allows basic file transfer and print initiation. All other printer-control functions previously available to third-party software are now exclusive to Bambu's own applications. The path and name parameters must be URL-encoded using encodeURIComponent or equivalent functions<ref name="bambu-connect" />.

===Reduced home-automation capabilities===
While basic status monitoring remains available (e.g., print-progress updates in Home Assistant), the new firmware removes the ability for home-automation systems to control printer functions. Users can no longer:
*Start or stop prints remotely using Home Assistant, BTT Panda Touch,<ref name=":0">https://www.facebook.com/BIGTREETECH/posts/pfbid0SNZGxvf7NRdmyVgHf6y9yNedNbU2RrCfdT8gugTSD4AYfr5BHneNF9H1EbwyYiJEl</ref> or other third-party accessories or software interfaces
*Control printer temperatures or cooling
*Automate printer behaviors based on sensor data or events
*Access camera feeds through third-party applications<ref name="bambulab-forum-135400/9">https://forum.bambulab.com/t/this-new-auth-system-will-make-me-sell-my-printers/135400/9</ref>

===Permanent nature of the update===
Once a printer is updated to the new firmware, users can still revert to previous versions that allows full control of the printer using LAN mode access key while signed into the cloud.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/21/24349031/bambu-3d-printer-update-authentication-filament-subscription-lock-answers - theverge.com - accessed 2025-02-15</ref> The option still exists to disable the cloud service.

The manufacturer states this change is required for security, but community members note that many of the security vulnerabilities being addressed stem from Bambu's own cloud-centric design choices rather than inherent risks of local network control<ref name="bambulab-forum-134549/12">https://forum.bambulab.com/t/bambu-studio-1-10-2-public-beta/134549/12</ref>. The update forces users into using Bambu Connect middleware if they want to retain limited cloud functionality.

This can be characterised as a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software and home-automation tools, but also only affects users actively choosing to use Bambu Cloud at the same time. The nature of the printer update is used to demonstrate how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase, although in this case the changes affect only people already choosing to use the cloud service<ref name="bambulab-forum-3643/9">https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.

For users that would want to use a third-party slicer while using their cloud service, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect and the new firmware is only available as opt-in beta at the moment.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>