How do I upgrade from v1 to Screenly 2?

Last updated: October 30, 2023 (no changes)

The Screenly 1 Player is now in end-of-life (EOL) status, which means that we no longer provide technical support or software updates for the device. To make sure that your digital signage continues to operate as needed, you must set aside time to upgrade to the most recent version of Screenly. This task will require updating the software on your existing digital signage player(s), and some customers may need to buy new hardware. 

Do you need help? 

If you need guidance on how best to approach your upgrade we want to help, contact Support@Screenly.io to request a consultation.  While we can't fly out and upgrade the players for you, there are ways that we can help you get through a large upgrade more quickly and with minimized disruption.  

Check if your Screenly Player’s hardware is up to date or not

1. If you don’t know what version of player hardware you have, skip the sub-steps below and go to step number 2. If you do know, continue reading the below sub-steps:

1. Screenly 2 Player software requires a player with a Raspberry Pi 3 device. This device can be a Raspberry Pi 3 Model 3B, Raspberry Pi 3 Model 3B+, or Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3.
2. If you know that you have one of the above models, continue to the next section titled “A note on SD cards.”
3.  If you know that you are using a Raspberry Pi Zero or Raspberry Pi 2 model, you will need to replace your device with a Raspberry Pi 3 device (ideally the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ for best performance). You can buy a ready-made player here:  United States, Canada, UK, EU & Global.  The new player will come loaded with up-to-date Screenly software. You can  also assemble your own Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ digital signage player from scratch. If you plan to build your own digital signage player,  consult the next section on updating the device’s software.How to tell what model of Raspberry Pi you have.

2.  If you don't know what version of player hardware you have, first log in to Screenly.io. Note that you will need to do the next steps for each screen that you need to check.

1. On the Screens page, click on the name of a screen to view the screens management page.
2. On the right of the screen’s management page there is a status table, and the bottom two boxes in that table will tell you the hardware and software version of the associated device. 
3. 
4. If your “Hardware Version” says “3 Model B” or “3 Model B+,” continue to the next section as your hardware is up to date. If the Hardware Version section says something else, you will need to upgrade to a new player. You can buy a ready-made player here:  United States, Canada, UK, EU & Global.  The new player will come with up-to-date Screenly software pre-installed.
5. If you have more than 30 screens, please submit a support ticket and ask for a version 2 compliance report for your account. We will then send you a spreadsheet with the relevant hardware and software versions of your players to assist you in the updating process.

A note on SD Cards

If you already have a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B or Model B+ device, you do not have to purchase new devices. You can simply follow the steps below and repurpose your existing device with the new Screenly disk image. 

Note that we strongly recommend you purchase a new Class 10 SD card before upgrading to the new Screenly Player disk image. SD cards have a limited lifespan, and changing out your SD card prior to upgrading Screenly will prevent you from having to repeat the upgrade process in the event of an SD card failure. 32GB Class 10 SD cards are commonly available on Amazon and other online retailers for around USD $8. This price often includes shipping.

If you still wish to reuse an old SD card, we strongly recommend that you first perform an "Overwrite Format" function with the SD Formatter prior to flashing out the updated disk image.

Also note that there is no way to upgrade to the most recent version of Screenly without flashing the new Screenly disk image to an SD card or buying a new, pre-flashed card from one of our distributors. 

Updating your Screenly player’s software to the latest version

 For these steps, you will need a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B or Model B+ Screenly Player, a Class 10 MicroSD card (16GB or larger), and a MicroSD Card reader. 

1. Disconnect all cables from your player (power, HDMI and ethernet cables). Failure to do so may result in electric shock and damage to you and your device. 
2. Remove the MicroSD card from your Screenly Player.
   1. To do this, pop the lid off of the device’s case. Depending on your case model, there may be a latch on the bottom of the case that must be pressed to release the lid. 
   2. Carefully lift the circuit board out of the case, grasping it by the metal USB port.. 
   3. On the bottom side of the circuit board, you will find the MicroSD card in a slot. Remove the card and set the main circuit board back into the case. The MicroSD card should slide out easily. If it does not slide out easily, reference the below image, and  double check that you are pulling on the right component. 
3. Follow these step-by-step instructions for writing the new version of Screenly to your MicroSD card.
4. Once the MicroSD card is updated, reinsert it into the SD card slot on your circuit board, put the case back together, and your up-to-date Screenly Player is ready!

What happens if I don’t upgrade my Screenly Player?

Since the Screenly 1 Player is in EOL status, we no longer provide support for this product. While your Screenly 1 Player may be working now, there will inevitably be a device failure or troubleshooting issue in the future. When this issue occurs, your digital signage will be offline until you are able to upgrade to the new Screenly Player. Accordingly, it is best to be proactive about this necessary upgrade, rather than waiting for your digital signs to inevitably go offline.