Apeman A79 Firmware Update
This write-up covers what the Apeman A79 is, why firmware updates matter, how to prepare, how to obtain and install firmware updates safely, troubleshooting, rollback considerations, and best practices to keep the device healthy. Assumptions: “Apeman A79” refers to the action camera model made by Apeman (consumer action camera line). If you mean a different device, tell me and I’ll adapt.
The Apeman A79 is a popular budget-friendly dash cam known for its 4K resolution, supercapacitor design (ideal for hot climates), and built-in GPS. However, like any digital device, its performance heavily depends on the software it runs—known as firmware.
If your A79 is freezing, failing to loop record, having GPS signal drops, or showing “File Error,” a firmware update is often the magic bullet. This guide will walk you through why, where, and how to update your Apeman A79 safely. Apeman A79 Firmware Update
| Problem | Possible Solution |
|---------|-------------------|
| Camera does not detect firmware | Ensure file is in the root directory and named exactly as downloaded (e.g., A79FW.bin). Reformat card as FAT32. |
| Update freezes or stuck at 0% | Do not turn off. Wait 5 minutes. If still frozen, the file may be corrupt—redownload and repeat process. |
| Camera won’t turn on after update | Remove battery and USB power for 30 seconds. Reinsert battery and try again. If still dead, contact Apeman support. |
| “No File” message | The card may be too large (>32GB). Use a smaller card or partition it to FAT32. |
This is the most critical part of this review. The Apeman A79 uses the Ambarella A12S chipset. This is the exact same chipset used in the Yi Discovery Action Camera. This write-up covers what the Apeman A79 is,
Because Apeman has not supported the A79 software, the community has discovered that Yi Discovery firmware can be ported to the Apeman A79, though this is a risky process.
The Apeman A79 Firmware situation is a case study in budget electronics. The hardware is a rebranded OEM shell with generic Ambarella internals. The manufacturer provided the bare minimum software to get it on the shelf and moved on. This is the most critical part of this review
Final Rating of Software Support: 2/10. The camera functions as sold, but there is zero post-purchase development. If you need a camera with an active development community and frequent firmware updates, you should look at DJI (Osmo Action) or GoPro. If you already own the A79, enjoy it for what it is—a decent 4K budget shooter—but accept that it will never get better than it is today.