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Rescue Reset

Last Resort Only

Rescue reset is a last resort procedure for unbricking a Bond product that has become completely unresponsive. It erases all data on the device and restores the original factory firmware. You almost certainly do not need this. If your device is still communicating with the Bond Home app—even if it's misbehaving—try Revert Firmware Version first.

Rescue reset exists as an insurance policy against firmware defects that prevent a device from booting.1

What Rescue Reset Does

Rescue reset performs two operations:

  1. Erases the device database—all devices, settings, Wi-Fi credentials, and learned remote signals are permanently deleted.
  2. Restores the original factory firmware—the device reverts to the firmware version it shipped with, which may be very old.

Wi-Fi Compatibility

Devices that shipped several years ago may have factory firmware that predates support for newer Wi-Fi standards (e.g., WPA3-only networks). After rescue reset, you may need to temporarily configure your router to allow WPA2 connections in order to set up the device and update its firmware.

Compared to Revert Firmware Version

Revert Firmware Version switches to the previous firmware (one version back) while preserving your database. Rescue reset is far more drastic: it erases everything and goes back to the original factory firmware. Use revert first whenever possible.

Bond Bridge, Bond Bridge Pro, and Firefly

These products have a setup button (small recessed button) and are powered by a DC adapter. The rescue reset procedure is performed during power-on.

Procedure

  1. Unplug the power adapter from the device.
  2. Press and hold the setup button (use a paperclip if recessed).
  3. While still holding the setup button, plug in the power adapter.
  4. Continue holding the button. The LED will begin flashing white.
  5. Keep holding until the LED turns solid red.
  6. Release the setup button.

The device will erase its database, restore the factory firmware, and reboot. After reboot it will enter setup mode, ready to be configured through the Bond Home app.

Reboot Button Shortcut

Some models (such as newer Fireflies) have a reboot button in addition to the setup button. On these devices, you do not need to unplug and replug the adapter. Instead, press and hold the setup button, then tap the reboot button to power-cycle the device while continuing to hold the setup button through the LED sequence.

Smart by Bond Ceiling Fans

Smart by Bond (SBB) ceiling fan receivers are installed inside the fan canopy and have no physical buttons accessible to the user. Instead, rescue reset is triggered by holding a button on the fan's handheld remote while applying power to the fan.

Procedure

  1. Cut power to the fan at the wall switch or breaker panel.
  2. Press and hold the breeze button on the same model of handheld remote that shipped with the fan (it does not need to be paired). If your remote has a speed 3 button instead of a breeze button, use that—they send the same RF command.
  3. While still holding the button, restore power to the fan at the wall switch or breaker.
  4. Continue holding the button for up to 15 seconds.
  5. The fan light will blink 7 times and the fan will spin up briefly on speed 1 (~10 seconds) to confirm the reset.
  6. Release the button.

The receiver will erase its database, restore the factory firmware, and reboot into setup mode.

Note

The remote does not need to be paired with the fan for rescue reset to work. The receiver listens for the raw RF command regardless of pairing state, but only during the first few seconds after power-on. However, you must use the handheld remote that shipped with the fan—a Mate or Sidekick remote cannot trigger rescue reset on an SBB fan.

Mate Remotes

Mate universal remotes (MT-1500 series) have a bootloader that supports rescue reset via the K3 button (the third physical button from the left on the face of the remote).

Procedure

  1. Remove the batteries from the Mate remote.
  2. Press and hold the K3 button.
  3. While holding K3, insert the batteries.
  4. The screen will display "RST" and then show a progress bar as the factory firmware is restored.
  5. Release the button once the screen shows activity.

After the factory firmware is loaded, the Mate will reboot and enter its initial setup state. You will need to re-pair it with your Bond Bridge and reconfigure any programmed devices.

Availability

Rescue reset on Mate restores the factory firmware image. This is only useful if a firmware update has caused the remote to become unresponsive. If the Mate is functioning but has incorrect device settings, a Wipe through the Bond Home app or via the Mate's built-in settings menu is a better option.

Sidekick for Shades (SKS-500)

Sidekick for Shades does not support firmware updates, so there is no firmware to roll back. However, it does support a database reset that clears all stored channel and technology settings—effectively restoring the unit to its out-of-box state.

Procedure

  1. Remove the battery from the Sidekick.
  2. Press and hold the channel 3 button.
  3. While holding the button, insert the battery.
  4. The channel 3 LED will blink while the button is held.
  5. After approximately 5 seconds, all LEDs will flash 5 times to confirm the reset.
  6. Release the button.

Rolling Code Counters

Rescue reset on Sidekick erases the entire database, including rolling code counters. This means the Sidekick's rolling codes will be out of sync with any previously paired motorized shades. You will need to re-pair the Sidekick with each shade motor after performing this reset. This is only worth doing if the Sidekick is completely stuck and unresponsive to button presses.

Summary

Product Button Power Action Hold Time Confirmation Firmware Restored
Bond Bridge / Bridge Pro / Firefly Setup Plug in adapter (or tap reboot button) Until solid red LED solid red Yes
Smart by Bond fan Breeze / Speed 3 Restore AC power Up to 15 sec 7 blinks + fan spin Yes
Mate remote K3 Insert batteries Until screen activity "RST" on screen Yes
Sidekick for Shades Channel 3 Insert battery ~5 sec All LEDs flash 5x N/A (no FW updates)

For Developers: Local API

If the device is still reachable over the network, rescue reset can be triggered via the local API. This endpoint is intentionally undocumented in the OpenAPI specification to avoid accidental use.

PUT http://<bond-ip>/v2/sys/reset
{ "type": "rescue" }

This is equivalent to the physical button procedure: it erases the database, selects the factory firmware partition, and reboots.

The bond-cli tool also supports this:

bond reset rescue

Danger

The API rescue reset has the same consequences as the physical procedure. All data will be lost and the device will revert to its original factory firmware. There is no confirmation prompt.

  1. In our experience, rescue reset has never been needed outside of internal testing and early alpha programs. We test our beta and stable firmware releases to a standard that should never require this operation. We publish these procedures here as a last resort for customers and partners who may find themselves with a truly unresponsive unit. ↩