ESPHome 2026.10.1: what to check before updating your devices

In October, ESPHome made the native Arduino toolchain the default build option for ESP8266. It also added compressed OTA updates for ESP32, RP2040, LibreTiny, and host platforms. ESPHome says update files are about a third smaller, making transfers proportionally faster.

ESPHome 2026.10.1 followed with fixes for several issues, including an OTA watchdog problem on ESP32 Hosted and MQTT fan states not being republished after an initial failed publish. Before updating, check not only that you are using 2026.10, but also the current patch release and compatibility with your devices.

ESPHome 2026.10.0 removed the `codec_support_enabled` option for speaker media players. If it appears in your YAML, configuration validation will fail; to retain the previous behavior, ESPHome advises removing the option and setting `format: NONE` in the pipeline. First check whether any of your devices use it.

Infrared climate control also changed: HEAT_COOL is no longer offered automatically unless a device supports both heating and cooling. If your air conditioner supports both modes, check whether you need to set `supports_heat_cool: true` explicitly. Lights now also honor `initial_state` at startup, so verify that their behavior after a reboot is still what you expect.

With this release, Sendspin began encrypting every connection. It requires Music Assistant 2.10.7 or later, or version 2.11.0b4 or later. If ESPHome is updated before the server, speakers may stop connecting.

Before flashing, check the dependencies in your setup: the Music Assistant version, required settings, and the state of other devices. If you do not use Sendspin, this requirement does not apply to your configuration.

Save your current YAML configurations and a Home Assistant backup. Then validate the ESPHome configuration and start with one device that does not control heating, home access, or another critical function. After the OTA update, check its sensors, controls in Home Assistant, and behavior after a reboot.

If everything works, update the remaining devices in stages. Keep physical controls for important equipment and avoid scheduling firmware updates when continuous operation is needed. This lets you benefit from smaller OTA files and the newer toolchain without updating the whole smart home blindly.