Sorry, but this still sounds like ‘mandatory authorization first, LAN mode later.’ If I’m mistaken, please provide a simple phrase saying, ‘You would NEVER need online access for LAN mode,’ like it works right now.
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I believe they covered that under
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And how can that Advanced Lan Mode can be achieved without first updating the firmware?
I am sure they cant just push that function into every machine from their end right?
This is something that needs to be answered for now and, again, they didn’t.
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If you haven’t updated the firmware you still have the original LAN mode which is the same as the Developer (advanced user) mode.
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All of this is why my X1 has been turned off and no updates to Bambu Studio or firmware have been run for the last several months. Also why I haven’t been involved here much. This is just a hobby to me, so I don’t have time to try and nail Jello to the wall on updates. I’m just waiting until the dust settles on a usable printer with usable software so I can print a few things. I feel for those that are trying to make a business out of this, and hope things are resolved quickly.
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I understand that but i still wanted to hear the official response and from their own channels.
It’s not much of a choice for existing users and future users. They can, and will, pull the rug eventually, based on past behavior. Not me going nuts or anything, just stating what is and always was in front of everyone.
I still have to remember that they do things first and only “fix” it if there is any backlash. If there is not, they don’t even communicate.
But thank you 
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I bought the Bambu Lab X1C almost a year ago. I had never owned a 3D printer before, but I was curious and wanted to learn something new. I’m 43 years old, and I really enjoyed how the printer worked and the quality of the prints. When I started, I didn’t even know what a slicer was or the different types of filament. Despite this, I ended up spending over £1,190 just to print a few things.
For me, I don’t need to print every day—I like the idea of printing parts when something breaks, reprinting just the part I need, and using the item for a long time. I was born in the ’80s, and back then, the things we bought were ours to own. If a company tries to force a subscription on me, I will immediately stop using their product. A good example is the Filmic Pro app. I paid for it, thinking I owned it, but later they moved to a subscription model. I refused to subscribe and have stuck with the legacy version of the app until it no longer works.
If any company pulls something similar, I’ll leave them without hesitation—it’s probably better that way. Life is busy enough, and we often forget to enjoy it. When I heard about this story with Bambu Lab, I decided I was done with them. I’ll move on to something else and be more careful with my next choice. For me, this is too little, too late.
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it doesnt shows the camera huh
I hope you reconsider making these changes. I bought the printer only because of the ability to use MQTT to control the printer over Home Assistant and also to use an alternative Slicer. It is nice to you added the dev mode, but it doesn´t state if you control things over MQTT then. Please clarify this. Please make an option to opt out for these changes!
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Dear BambuLab
I am not willing to accept that Bambulab wants to change the printer firmware with the intention of decreasing the ability to work with third-party software and accessories. When I bought my printer from Bambulab I believed it was a company that maintained values such as collaboration and freedom of choice in line with the spirit that has driven the development of 3D printing.
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Bambu Lab’s statement appears to be an attempt at damage control without fully addressing several key issues.
It still appears that Bambu Lab wants to decide what use of the printer is “authorized” or which software/accessories are “legitimate”.
1. “Unsupported” Developer Mode: In an effort at damage control, Bambu Lab has now announced to offer a previously unavailable Developer Mode that supposedly restores functionality that has been available in LAN mode until now, but labels it as “unsupported” [1]. Labeling it “unsupported” makes it at least questionable whether a non-functioning or half-functioning “Developer Mode” would be sufficient cause to return the device as per customer protection laws. This could mean that it may break or degrade at any time in the future, leaving users without recourse.
2. Limited Model Support: The statement only announces Developer Mode for X1, P1, A1, and A1 Mini, and doesn’t explicitly confirm that all future printer models will have access to these features, which is a significant omission [1]. So future models (such as the imminent high-end model) might come without Developer Mode.
3. Questionable Print Farm Software Support: While they mention that “farm management software developers interested in integration can work directly with Bambu Lab to implement proper authorization controls”, there is no indication whether there are certain requirements such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or fees involved, and whether this option is also open for open-source farm management solutions [1].
4. Orca Slicer Integration: The company claims to be “actively working with developers like Orca Slicer,” but statements of the developer suggest that this “collaboration” may not be as extensive as implied. @fever_soft on Twitter [2]:
“‘Working with’ is sort of misleading, and I’m growing tired of being used in the PR game now.”
In an earlier statement the developer wrote [3]:
“I was negotiating for an authorization key to allow OrcaSlicer to communicate with their device like BambuStudio does, but today I was told they won’t support this. Only their slicer can send prints directly; others must use their Bambu Connect”
and nothing in Bambu Lab’s most recent announcement suggests that they have changed this policy.
5. Terms of Service Allow Firmware to Block Printers: While the recent Bambu Lab statement [1] says “We want to make it absolutely clear that all of these claims are entirely false: (…) Firmware updates will block your printer’s ability to print”, their own Terms of Service [4] still state that printers may refuse service without updates and that firmware may update itself. This directly and literally contradicts the claim of user control over updates [1]. Quote from the Bambu Lab Terms of Service [4]:
“Your Bambu Lab product will automatically search for and download new update packages (…) Due to the importance of these updates, your product may block new print job before the updates is installed”
6. Need for Proprietary Bambu Connect Application: The statement [1] doesn’t address why there is a need for Bambu Connect in LAN mode. It makes no guarantees for less frequently used desktop operating systems. As of today, no Linux version is available, much less a version for older or less frequently used operating systems, effectively forcing all users into certain versions of Windows, macOS, and possibly Linux, in order to run a proprietary piece of software which was not needed until now. The statement [1] says “Despite claims to the contrary, LAN mode through Bambu Connect will require neither internet access nor a user account.” However, it has been discovered that Bambu Connect contains a key with an expiration date. Bambu Lab has not explained what will happen to air-gapped machines once that key expires or how to keep the printer functional without having to update Bambu Connect all the time.
7. Inconvenience: The implementation of Bambu Connect with a hardcoded key does not significantly enhance security but will add inconvenience for users of third-party software. This is even acknowledged in their statement but framed as minor (“the difference in users experience is not much”) [1] but is still worse than before and an inferior user experience. While they claim to support third-party integration, the new system seems to add layers of complexity that weren’t present before, effectively making the use of third-party software more cumbersome than before without adding any real security benefit, especially in LAN mode. This has not been satisfactorily resolved.
8. Unclear long-term Support: There’s no clear commitment to long-term support for Bambu Connect across all operating systems and versions, which is crucial for the longevity of the printers [1]. Bambu Lab may cease to provide updated versions at any time. This issue is especially relevant since the private key contained in the proprietary Bambu Connect application has an expiration date, at which time a new version of Bambu Connect (and possibly the printer firmware) will be necessary, possibly making an entirely air-gapped operation impossible.
9. Questionable Intentions: The company acknowledges that their recent communication has created upset, but doesn’t fully address the root causes of user concerns [1]. Their statement tries to sugar-coat reality, describing the massive backlash from customers and the community as a “mix of valuable feedback and unfortunate misinformation”. Bambu Lab has missed the opportunity to clarify that they will not try to market any kind of subscriptions or additional fees whatsoever after the sale of the device. In fact, it appears that Bambu Lab is trying to charge additional money after the sale of a 3D printer if you want to use it e.g., in a 3D printing farm. In the Bambu Farm Manager Service Agreement they state [5]:
“BAMBU LAB MAY OFFER THE SERVICES AND SOFTWARE WITHOUT CHARGE, FOR A FEE, OR MAY CHARGE A FEE TO CERTAIN USERS OR FOR CERTAIN USES (E.G. COMMERCIAL USES). BAMBU LAB RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AND MAY CHANGE THE LICENSE AND FEE STRUCTURE, CONDITIONS, AND WHICH USERS OR USES REQUIRE A FEE”
10. Panda Touch Situation Still Unresolved: The latest Bambu Lab statement [1] fails to adequately address the fact that their changes lock down devices that make it harder to use Third-Party upgrades, and suggests that similar aftermarket upgrades will require some form of business agreements (and possibly payments) in the future. Meanwhile, the situation has not been resolved for existing customers of the BigTreeTech accessory [6]:
“At this point we are still waiting to hear back from Bambu Lab regarding our request for the Panda Touch to be able to retain full functionality after the new firmware updates are installed.”
So while Bambu Lab attempts to address some concerns, the company appears to be prioritizing damage control over providing clear, long-term commitments to open ecosystems and user freedom.
What could Bambu Lab do to maintain whatever trust might be left in them as a company?
- Remove the need for the proprietary Bambu Connect application and its questionable “security by obscurity” scheme altogether in LAN mode, and allow any kind of software to directly control the devices as it has been before the changes
- Commit to Developer Mode a supported feature (as in: if it ceases to work properly, then it is a bug that will get fixed)
- Promise that Developer Mode allowing unfettered access to all functions of the devices will be and remain a supported feature for all current and future models and versions
- Clarify that they will not try to charge money from companies making third-party aftermarket hardware upgrades nor from software developers developing e.g., print farm software
- Give a clear commitment that all features of their current and future devices can be controlled by third-party and open source software without the need for any kind of “agreements” or “partnerships” with Bambu Lab, and especially without any form of NDAs or payments
References:
[1] Updates and Third-Party Integration with Bambu Connect
[2] https://twitter.com/fever_soft/status/1881240944680603806
[3] https://twitter.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034
[4] Terms of Use - Bambu Lab (Last updated as of 24 April, 2024)
[5] BAMBU FARM MANAGER EULA AND SERVICE AGREEMENT (Last updated: 3 Jan, 2025)
[6] https://twitter.com/BigTreeTech/status/1881261442948898941
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This is absolutely about limiting third party software. You are actively removing the ability for third party software to control the printer and forcing us to use your poorly written app.
I’ve been a software engineer for nearly 30 years, and I can confidently say there is no situation in which forcing people to use an additional application like this is required for security; in fact time and time again this sort of action has shown to reduce security by introducing more failure points.
There are multiple industry standard ways of securely exposing an API and data streams. Stop trying to roll your own as an excuse to force people to use your app. Hire someone that understands security, because you’ve shown you clearly do not have anyone on staff that does.
Even if you are misguided/incompetent enough to truly believe adding a poorly made shim of security through obscurity in any way improves security, your community/customers are making it clear they do NOT want this. I/we want third party applications to have full direct control, so they can properly integrate hardware control with the rest of the work flow, fix issues with the interface, and provide new or improved interface methods. It is on you to enable third party tools to have proper access, not force everyone to hand all control back to you.
Look at times other companies made similar actions to lock out users from functionality they wanted, regardless of the reason, it rarely goes well for the company.
Let us be clear, if you go forward with this anti-consumer action I will never purchase another BambuLabs printer, and I will cease all filament purchases and any other business I have with BambuLabs.
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…and about limiting third party hardware as well.
As evidenced by the fact that despite all the talk, the BigTreeTech hardware still does not work and is at the mercy of some closed door negotiations. Not a good sign for other third party companies who want to make software or hardware that interacts with Bambu Lab devices.
Looks like they will need the blessing from Bambu Lab going forward. Like if you wanted to publish a game for a Nintendo game console.
This is not about security. This is about lockdown and control of the ecosystem!
This is not in favor of the customer. It is to extract further money, directly or indirectly, from the customer.
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Nice try at damage control, yet admitting that you won’t go back on these policies. I’ll be spending my money elsewhere. You clearly don’t have a clue of what you have done to your brand in the marketplace.
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Its unfortunate that BambuLabs actually does what i was worried about as i bought my X1C as it came out. I was expecting that at some point in time, they will turn this into a walled-garden and with the T&Cs to prevent the print, if the printer is not on the desired firmware, is clearly a bummer. Well, i moved from Prusa away, given that they had no competitive product those days, but if BambuLabs continues on this path, I will use the X1C as long as possible on the current firmware version and look out for a new one. There will be others happily taking this market… For now, X1C is not connected to the public network and remains offline. In my private network OrcaSlicer and Home Assistant continue to work will with the X1C…Good luck with this politics BL …
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I also guess that Creality, Prusa or other venders will have a record quarter…
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You have grown too fast and you are making the mistake of thinking you are Gods.
There is only one Apple with a long history full of ups and downs. You are not going to be allowed to do the same. Companies bigger than you have tried and died.
I think you are forgetting that the one who has the wallet is the one who has the power. If you start restricting the open use of your products I will invest my money in other brands.
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The intuitive user experience was one of the main reasons to switching over to Bambu. I have 2 printers right now and am using Orca for all kinds of features from calibration to very specific print profiles that simply are not supported in Bambu Lab.
I was really hoping that all of the concerns regarding closed software was for protecting development done in the company but this is going way beyond.
I won’t buy more printers from Bambu if this is not reversed - you guys were supposed to move 3D-Printing forward, not shift it into evil corp territory. Let’s hope rivals like QIDI catch up quickly in terms of quality. Seems like they are not too far behind.
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This is not the response we were hoping for, and that’s very much disappointing. I hope you realize you’re making a mistake here.
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Something similar kind of happened to Sonos last year - and their CEO and CTO got the axe
It’s not too late to roll back.
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