What it is
fwupd updates the firmware in your hardware: the system BIOS or UEFI, SSDs, docks, keyboards, mice and more. Hardware vendors publish their updates to the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS), and fwupd downloads and installs the ones that apply to your devices, so you don’t need the vendor’s Windows tool.
fwupdmgr get-updates
fwupdmgr update
Why it’s here
- Security fixes below the OS. Firmware has bugs too, and some are serious.
- No Windows required. Many vendors ship their updates through LVFS.
- Signed updates. Firmware is checked before it’s installed.
On CoreDesktop
fwupd is installed from pacman, and fwupd-refresh.timer is enabled so the list of available firmware stays current. Each update checks for firmware updates and tells you if there are any, but doesn’t install them, as firmware often needs a reboot. When it says there are, run fwupdmgr update.