Flysky FS-i6 Firmware Upgrade Tutorial - How to Update fsi6 Firmware to 10 channels (Flyplus Beta)

⚠️ NOTE: flashing this new firmware WILL ERASE ALL YOUR MODEL PROFILES ⚠️
Want 4 extra channels on your FS-i6? Me too! In this video I'll walk you through how I upgraded the firmware on my Flysky FS-i6 drone RC transmitter to be able to use four more aux channels (instead of only two), and make use of all the switches and knobs on this radio.
*INSTRUCTIONS*
You will need:
👉 Flysky FS-i6 radio
👉 FlySky data cable (should be included w/ tx)
👉 Computer running Microsoft Windows 10 (for this tutorial) with internet connection
👉 A little bit of patience

(NOTE: this is not an "official" firmware upgrade. This is basically just a DIY mod/hack that someone came up with. Thus, don't expect to get support from FlySky if something goes wrong during this process. Proceed at your own risk.)
👉 Determine if driver is needed
➤Connect data cable to USB port on computer
➤Go to computer Settings then Devices and see if "USB to UART Bridge (COM#)" (or something similar) is listed
➤If it is NOT listed, proceed to next step. If it IS LISTED, skip the next step (driver installation)
👉Download DRIVER for data cable (ONLY IF NEEDED).
➤(CP210x driver will also work (and you *might* need it anyway, if you are planning on connecting a quadcopter to betaflight (this depends on the type of flight controller you have)))
➤Follow installation instructions on Pololu
➤ "IMPORTANT: You must extract the zip archive into a temporary directory. DO NOT attempt to double-click or run any of the files until you have extracted them.
➤ During the installation, Windows will ask you if you want to install the drivers. Click “Install” (Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista) or “Continue Anyway” (Windows XP).
➤ The installer should complete successfully."
👉 Download new FS-i6 firmware
➤ Select most recent version (currently "10ch_MOD_i6_Programmer_V1_5")
➤ Click "Download" or "View Raw" to download file
➤ Open downloaded file and "MOD i6 Programmer" window should pop up
👉 Connect radio to computer via data cable
➤ Press and hold "ok" to enter main menu, and select "System Setup"
➤ Use "down" key to scroll to down to "Firmware Update"
➤ Press "ok" and confirm "yes" to enter update mode
👉 In computer Settings, go to to Devices and locate the "USB to UART Bridge" device
➤ Note where is says "(COM#)" (example: COM6)
👉 In the Mod i6 Programmer window, select the COM port (Serial Port) to match the USB to UART Bridge device
➤ Click "Open Port" (your current firmware version should now be displayed in the little box)
👉 Click "Program"
👉 Radio will beep and restart after successful update
👉 Power off and disconnect radio
👉 Power back on and check function (go to System Setup then Firmware version (FlyPlus Beta 20/01/16 8:27 should be displayed)
👌Ta Da!

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Mandatory Disclaimer:
I participate in the Amazon Affiliates program, which means that if you click on one of the above Amazon links and purchase a product on Amazon, I will receive a teeny tiny commission (at no additional cost to you). Also, various other links listed here may be affiliate links, to which this disclaimer also applies.

**REMEMBER, always use caution and your best judgement when building and flying RC aircraft, be a good neighbor, and HAVE FUN!**

About this channel: Adam makes FUN and HELPFUL videos about building and flying Radio Controlled aircraft, tech, and DIY projects!

[charlesestes]

Great tutorial! I updated my Eachine I6 to the 10 channel firmware with no problems. Thanks very much :)

[BeardedHobbyGuy]

just wanted to say thank you Adam. i know its a very old video, but you are saving me from buying a $400 spectrum radio! now i have a 10 channel radio that i can use for my flaps, aux lighting, and gyro settings awesome sir thank you for the tutorial! updated my fs-i6 successfully to the newer version/ beta for 10 channels.
if i could add a tad of information to this group, if the flysky driver doesn't pop open right away, you may have to remove the usb cable, wait, then reinsert and re-open flysky driver. this worked for me after unsuccessful opening of program for update.
thanks again, adam. good job!

[ico]

Thank you Adam, just upgraded my TGY- i6👏👍

[kdamonsta]

thanks bro!!!! Got data cable worked like a charm...now with All these channels i feel like a boss B) !!!

[lazircamacho]

Thank you Adam, it helps a lot for me, now I am using my flysky i6 upgraded withput any hazzle on my flight thank you

[kentlam]

One of the best firmware update tutorial I have seen. Because of this video, I may update my i6 even I don't have a need.

[danphillips]

I like what you are doing with your channel. I almost want to get a flysky just to follow along even though I have a taranis😎

[KritikAgrawal]

Hi Adam! I am not sure if you'd even read this comment, but if you do, I want to let you know that your videos are really helpful. The way you explain stuff is really cool. Your way of presenting is actually reassuring, and it was only after watching your video that I had the confidence to update my FS-i6. Really thanks for your help!

[thinkcre]

This was very informative 👏 I think you did a good job. 👍

[EmanoelRMoura]

Sou brasileiro, precisava de um vídeo atual sobre esse assunto e sua dica de site para o drive FTDI foi a melhor, foi o único que funcionou corretamente para fazer a leitura da porta e terminar a atualização..
Muito obrigado!!

[CncObsession]

Followed it to a t. At the end of the flash, no power on my transmitter. I saw in the comments below this occurred to someone else too. More studying as to why. Turns out it was the baud rate setting in the com port. Set it to 115500. Reflashed even though no power was showing and heard the beep and all is well. Thanks that took less time than expected ;-)

[droneid]

thank you very much for my knowledge I will try to upgrade my flysky

[christopherosborn]

That was easy, thanks for the walk through.

[Abszurdista-fatalista]

Hi Adam, i successfully upgraded the firmware to the 10ch firmware in your video. Thank you for all the infos 👍My question is, if I bind to the 10ch fs-ia10b receiver and enable PPM output, will it have at least 8ch on the PPM output?

[dandorable]

I see your videos on the fs-i6 transmitter but have a question which has not been covered. My planes work great with this radio, of course using the flysky receiver only, but when I set up my hirobo shuttle zx, I get all controls to work correctly except one. I can mix my throttle with collective using the "throttle" stick but when I idle up, instead of the throttle idling up only, the collective also ramps up, which is not desired for obvious reasons. Can I omit the collective on the idle up switch yet keep collective control on the throttle stick? It does work with my Futaba 8 channel and my Hitech 7 when I had that radio.

[jacobnator-hiir]

interesting.. I got the 6x and looking at what version is on there it's 2019 firmware but I only have aux switches 5 and 6 available to program.. I wonder why it doesn't have all 10 channels.. should I do this to it and see what happens..i don't really need them all but still

[lucywucyyy]

does it have to be the data cable?
mine didnt come with one i only have the flight sim cable and it doesnt seem to be working for me, it shows up as ppm not silicon labs whatever

[aviationRCfly]

I did the same but facing channel 1 stick problem, did stick calibration in transmitter nothing changes, please help.

[unclealig]

hi. once the update to 10ch is done, can i still use my 6channel receiver (like the iA6)? or do i need the 10ch receive (iA10)?

[lodovicocarlos]

hi adam, I have just recently purchased the fs-i6x but the default is only 6 channel, is this mod applicable my transmitter? thanks for your help in advance