Reusing Solum displays
Why use OpenDisplay firmware?
OpenDisplay replaces the factory image on supported Solum M3 e-paper tags with community firmware built around Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Images and settings go straight from your phone, PC, or home automation stack to the tag over BLE - there are no license fees for using OpenDisplay firmware or the web Toolbox.
OpenDisplay pairs with the official Home Assistant integration, which talks to the tag over BLE (including via common Bluetooth proxy setups such as ESPHome proxies). Together with the browser-based Firmware Toolbox for install and packet-based configuration, the project targets self-hosted, reproducible setups.
The table below lists known M3 panels (Nordic nRF52811 and Silicon Labs EFR32BG22 variants), FCC IDs, on-glass color capabilities, and Toolbox preset links where they exist.
OpenDisplay is an independent community project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or otherwise tied to the manufacturer of the devices listed here. Trademarks and model names are used solely to describe hardware that community members have tested.
Replacing factory firmware with OpenDisplay may void your warranty, brick the device, or cause data loss. Do not expect documentation, updates, or technical support from the hardware manufacturer for third-party firmware. In many cases there is no official or reliable way to restore the original factory image once it has been overwritten. You are solely responsible for deciding whether to flash firmware from this project.
The actual hardware inside a given retail unit can differ between batches, regions, or silent revisions, even when the model name on the label matches an entry in the table. A row marked compatible or work in progress reflects community experience, not a promise that your display will work; there are no guarantees.
Prebuild panels (M3)
| Name | FCC ID | Colors | Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 NRF · nRF52811 | |||
| 1.3" EL013H2WRD | 2AFWN-EL013H2WRD | Work in progress | |
| 2.2" EL022H3WRA | 2AFWN-EL022H3WRA | Work in progress | |
| 2.2" EL022H4WRC | 2AFWN-EL016H4WRC | Work in progress | |
| 2.7" EL027H3BRA | 2AFWN-EL029H3WRA | Compatible | |
| 2.9" EL029H3WRA | 2AFWN-EL029H3WRA | Compatible | |
| M3 Silabs · EFR32BG22C222F352GM40 | |||
| 1.6" BWRY EL016F5C4C | — | Work in progress | |
| 2.2" BWRY EL022F6W4A | — | Work in progress | |
| 2.6" BWRY EL026F6W4A | 2AFWN-EL026F6W4A | Compatible | |
| 2.9" BW Freezer EL029F3WRA | — | Work in progress | |
| 2.9" BWRY EL029F5C4C | — | Work in progress | |
| 3.5" BWRY EL035F5C4C | 2AFWN-EL035F5C4C | Compatible | |
| 4.2" BWRY EL042F6W4A | — | Work in progress | |
| 4.3" BWRY EL043F5C4C | — | Work in progress | |
| 7.5" BWRY EL075F5CRC | — | Work in progress | |
| 11.6" BWRY EL116F5CRC | — | Work in progress | |
Flashing
Flash the display by following the build and flash instructions in the OpenDisplay firmware repository for your MCU port (tool chain, SWD wiring, unlock steps, and any board-specific notes live there).
After the chip has been programmed successfully, configure the device in the Toolbox. When your row lists a compatible preset link, open that link after flashing so the saved packets match your hardware (driver, panel, power, and related fields).
A genuine Segger J-Link probe is strongly recommended; many third-party clones do not behave reliably when programming. To unlock the microcontroller for full erase and reflash, you need at least a J-Link hardware version 9 (V9); older Segger bases and low-end probes often cannot complete unlock on these parts.