Source: All3DP

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Missed Connections

Bambu Lab’s Controversial ‘Authorization Control’ Hits Budget 3D Printers

by Shawn Frey
Published Jun 6, 2025

Now live on A- and P-Series machines, the much maligned update completes the company's planned lockdown on third-party communications.

An update to Bambu Lab’s A- and P-Series 3D printers earlier this week brought the controversial “Authorization Control” or “Security” update to the company’s budget machines, along with “Developer Mode” – a compromise the company promised amid backlash.

After P-Series firmware version 01.08.02.00 and A-Series 01.05.00.00, the machines will now refuse communication from unofficial software. This includes software Bambu Lab previously worked closely with, like Orca Slicer. Instead, third-party software will need to use “Bambu Connect”, a middleware application, or users must set their devices to the LAN-only “Developer Mode” to bypass communication restrictions, disabling online-only features (including the Bambu Handy app).

Notably, Orca Slicer developer SoftFever declined to integrate Bambu Connect into the slicer, remarking it “would not provide meaningful value for Orca Slicer users.”

Bambu Lab notes in the firmware release notes that downgrading the firmware to a previous version remains possible.

The update was initially announced in January and was the subject of much criticism from the community, which scorned the update as further tightening control of the closed-source machines and retroactively removing functionality with third-party applications and hardware like Biqu’s Panda Touch.

The security update was pushed out for X-Series 3D printers in March with update 1.08.05, also bringing users an updated interface, which mirrors that of the company’s new H2D 3D printer and multi-modal making machine. A-Series interfaces remain unchanged following the update.

There’s good news for those looking to avoid the security update, but want to use Bambu Lab’s new AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT material changers. Unlike the X1C, P-Series 3D printers received compatibility with the new AMS systems in update 01.08.00.00, prior to the security update, meaning you could just ignore it indefinitely.

For all the details, check Bambu Labs release notes for P-Series firmware 01.08.02.00 and A-Series firmware 01.05.00.00.

Update – June 12, 2025: Specified that Developer Mode is only available in LAN-only mode.

Correction – June 8, 2025: Only Bambu Lab's P-Series received AMS 2 Pro & HT compatibility before the authorization control update.