Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

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===Permanent nature of the update===

Once a printer is updated to the new firmware, users ~~cannot~~ revert to previous versions that allows full control of the printer using LAN mode access key while signed into the cloud<ref ~~name="firmware~~-~~update~~-~~introducing~~-~~new~~-~~authorization-control-system-2"~~ />. The option still exists to disable the cloud service.

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://archive.is/wip/oMaEn https://archive.is/oMaEn] - archive.is - accessed 2025-02-13</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 ~~inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory~~ nature of the update ~~for new printers,~~ 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>.

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>

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 ===Permanent nature of the update===
-Once a printer is updated to the new firmware, users cannot revert to previous versions that allows full control of the printer using LAN mode access key while signed into the cloud<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2" />. The option still exists to disable the cloud service.
+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://archive.is/wip/oMaEn https://archive.is/oMaEn] - archive.is - accessed 2025-02-13</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 inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, 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>.
+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>