Short answer: Nothing changes for SmartSDR for iOS and macOS users.

As in the past, once Flex releases a new firmware version, I will ensure that my apps work seamlessly with that version (which I already did for v4), and shortly afterward I will add the new features as well (which has also already happened for v4). That was the case for firmware 1, 2, 3, and now 4.

And the best of all: it’s free. Updates were provided for free over the Apple App Store.

And this will stay this way as long as there are enough new users for my apps.

So regardless of whether it’s a one-time license payment like in the past or a subscription model like nowadays, there is no change for SmartSDR for macOS and iOS. Once the radio is licensed for a certain feature, you will be able to use it in the app, and usually soon afterward you will be able to use most — if not all — new features introduced with new firmware versions.

I may not implement every feature of the Windows version, but as you know, there are plenty of additional features in my apps like FT8.

For example, the USB pass-through feature will not be available in my apps for several reasons, but there is a better alternative available (Waveshare Remote CAT support).

Or the Voice Keyer, which was already available in my macOS version long before Flex firmware 4, so I am not planning to add a second solution to my apps.

There are also some features introduced under the Flex Early Access subscription which may not be implemented because they might be too dynamic and preliminary. Once they are stable, they might make it into the apps, but not as long as there are instabilities and constant changes. I would rather spend my time on new app features or modes.

And finally, the good thing with my apps is that they work with any FlexRadio firmware — 1, 2, 3, or now 4. So you can even connect to other radios, e.g., at your HAM radio club or a fellow operator who may already be running a newer firmware.

Even if you want to try out new firmware features, you can connect remotely to another radio (maybe a Flex demo station) that already has the new features subscribed and try them out, without the need to install other software.

That’s different from the Windows version of SmartSDR or the Maestro, which always need to run a version matching the radio firmware.

However, in any case, regardless of firmware version 1, 2, 3, or even 4, I recommend always updating to the latest release within a major firmware version, as Flex will continue to roll out bug fixes even for older versions.

Along with that, it is important to keep the app up to date. So always check if you are using the latest app version too.

At the moment, most support cases I receive from users having issues with my apps are simply because they have not updated yet.