Bambu Lab Firmware Limits Printer Access 🚫

Bambu Lab is rolling out new firmware that further restricts the ability to access the printer's functionality without using their software, either Bambu's cloud account or 'Bambu Connect'.

I already said the worst aspect of setting up my P1S was the cloud account requirement just to get the thing to turn on and start printing... now they're saying software has to use their app as a middleman for even basic print jobs over my local network?

Their blog post walked back a little bit of what they originally planned, by adding an unsupported 'Developer Mode' that might allow me to use it locally... but they did NOT update their Terms of Service to make me any more comfortable they won't reinstate their anti-consumer firmware lockdowns or further tie their printer functionality to a dumb cloud service.

Relevant links:

- Bambu Lab Jan 20 forum update: https://forum.bambulab.com/t/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/137408
- Bambu Lab Jan 20 update: https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/
- Hackaday article on Bambu Connect Certificate extraction: https://hackaday.com/2025/01/19/bambu-connects-authentication-x-509-certificate-and-private-key-extracted/#comment-8086325

As stated in the video, Prusa provided a MK4 for review, and I purchased the P1S with my own money. I also purchased a few Creality printers, and am now going to recommend them over Bambu Lab printers, for anyone looking to get into 3D printing for a low starting price.

See my sponsorship policies here: https://github.com/geerlingguy/youtube?tab=readme-ov-file#sponsorships

Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Merch: https://www.redshirtjeff.com
2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GeerlingEngineering
3rd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Level2Jeff