Offline mode for Wiim Ultra in a future Firmware Update

[Fralle]

Hi,

I’d like to suggest adding an offline mode to the Wiim Ultra in a future firmware update. Specifically, a mode where you can at least access the Phono and Line In inputs without requiring a phone or an active internet connection.

It seems unreasonable that internet access should be necessary to play records from a turntable or to use a CD player or cassette deck connected to the Line In. These are standalone, physical media sources that don’t rely on the internet, so the Wiim Ultra shouldn’t need it to function as a preamp or phono stage.

For example, not long ago, I was doing some home renovations that required my router to be dismantled for several days. During that time, I would have been able to use the Wiim Ultra to listen to my records if only there had been an offline mode. Unfortunately, the lack of this feature made it impossible to even access the basic menu settings.

If it were possible to access the USB drive in an offline mode as well, that would be an even bigger improvement. However, at a minimum, being able to use the Phono and Line In inputs would already make a significant difference.

Adding an offline mode would greatly enhance the device’s versatility and ensure it remains useful in situations where internet access is unavailable.

Thanks for consdiering this!

 

[rccarguy]

And how can you browse that HDD without the app?

They need to add navigation from the screen and remote.

 

[Burnside]

They need to add navigation from the screen and remote.

They’re working on that

 

[hgo58]

They need to add navigation from the screen and remote.

Good luck navigating 5000 tracks on that small screen.

My point is that, unless it's very easy to handle the reboot without network access, this is s niche issue that WiiM should only invest in if nothing else to do.

The WiiM Ultra works fine without Internet and can also handle a reboot of the router.

 

[Fralle]

Again. It works without Internet connection. You just need to have the local network running. I don't see a scenario where that would not be the case.

I am the first to admit I find the terminology confusing. If I shut my router off I would still like to be able to use at least the Phono stage to play records, and today that is not possible.

The scenario was painted above in my request. I was renovating parts of my home, the wall where my router is mounted was taken down and for a couple of days I had no router at all. Why should it be impossible for me to play records at night durring that time just because I use Wiim and not another preamp?

 

[hgo58]

Your router is handling the local network (WiFi and Ethernet) and alow the devices on it to access other devices on the external Internet.

The WiiM devices are streamers and not standalone amps or pre-amps, so they are depending on a network for controlling and Internet for (most) streaming.

I just tried to turn my router off and the WiiM Ultra phono and optical input was still working fine. It's just the reboot of the WiiM that requires a local network.

In your case I will presume that you can use your phone as a hotspot and connect the WiiM to it. That would make everything work.

 

[hgo58]

If I would raise a ticket about this it would rather be about how difficult it is to change WiFi access point and that it would be useful to allow configuration of more than one WiFi access name (just as you can on your phone).

 

[85mk7]

A simple and reduced "offline" mode could be a nice function - at least to keep external units like a turntable running to an desired output.

Not long ago i had a full hardware failure of my router - and sometimes it could take a few days to get a proper replacement. Even misconfiguration Inside the local network could cause problems...

At least it could be something to consider for my taste instead of a general rejection by some users.

 

[Fralle]

I just tried to turn my router off and the WiiM Ultra phono and optical input was still working fine. It's just the reboot of the WiiM that requires a local network.

So I am guessing your device is always on and never in standby? Cause for me turning the router off made it impossible to use. And my ultra was indeed in idle when I turned the router off.

 

[Fralle]

A simple and reduced "offline" mode could be a nice function - at least to keep external units like a turntable running to an desired output.

Not long ago i had a full hardware failure of my router - and sometimes it could take a few days to get a proper replacement. Even misconfiguration Inside the local network could cause problems...

At least it could be something to consider for my taste instead of a general rejection by some users.

Finally someone that gets me! I really did not see that wanting the option to be able to play my records without using my router would be this controversial.

 

[hgo58]

Finally someone that gets me! I really did not see that wanting the option to be able to play my records without using my router would be this controversial.

Did you raise this request to WiiM Support? What was the reply?

 

[slartibartfast]

Finally someone that gets me! I really did not see that wanting the option to be able to play my records without using my router would be this controversial.

The way things are going even a landline telephone doesn't work without an internet connection. The y always used to say you shouldn't rely on a mobile phone in emergencies, now it could be the best option

 

[hgo58]

To use phones as alternative to router down:

1) Use a mobile phone to enable a local hotspot network.
2) On another phone or tablet that have WiiM Home App installed, connect to the hotspot WiFi.
3) Press Play on the WiiM device for 3 seconds (and not more).
4) Start WiiM Home App on the second phone/tablet.
5) App connects directly to the WiiM device.
6) Follow the setup. Skip all that shall not be changed.
7) Done.

This will not reset the WiiM device, just update the WiFi to use your hotspot.

 

[zh_chx]

Finally someone that gets me! I really did not see that wanting the option to be able to play my records without using my router would be this controversial.

I just switch off my home internet and WiFi network, then restarted my WiiM Ultra. The Ultra searching the WiFi for a while, then turns to standby mode. Afterwards, all inputs (except USB) of WiiM can be selected via its screen. This is exactly the offline mode with the latest firmware build 20250110.

 

[Burnside]

To use phones as alternative to router down:

1) Use a mobile phone to enable a local hotspot network.
2) On another phone or tablet that have WiiM Home App installed, connect to the hotspot WiFi.
3) Press Play on the WiiM device for 3 seconds (and not more).
4) Start WiiM Home App on the second phone/tablet.
5) App connects directly to the WiiM device.
6) Follow the setup. Skip all that shall not be changed.
7) Done.

This will not reset the WiiM device, just update the WiFi to use your hotspot.

Or simply create the hotspot with the same name and password as your router, although you’d need to be careful that all your devices didn’t reconnect to your phone and quickly exhaust your data allowance

 

[Fralle]

I just switch off my home internet and WiFi network, then restarted my WiiM Ultra. The Ultra searching the WiFi for a while, then turns to standby mode. Afterwards, all inputs (except USB) of WiiM can be selected via its screen. This is exactly the offline mode with the latest firmware build 20250110.

I am also on the latest firmware and this is all I get with the router off, no matter what I do.

 

[cc_rider]

I am also on the latest firmware and this is all I get with the router off, no matter what I do.

If your router is off, you have no WiFi. To turn off internet, leave the router plugged in, with the WAN-side Ethernet cable unplugged.

 

[vdp]

More chances of outdated firmware versions might also not be in WiiMs interest.

The downside of this "modern approach" is that WiiM can brick your entire ecosystem with a single firmware. Sonos users choosing for something very similar... The question might be more how many years until WiiM can avoid doing it with something like the first Mini/first gen products and not if..

But to WiiMs defense... You can't have both quickly paced firmware updates with new stream of (free) features and an offline/keeps working as-is ecosystem however...

The amount of Sonos users complaining about Play1 gen that stops working is I think crazy. Not a single android phone or Windows version that old seeing any kind of support at all.

So would say create the request in the app but there might be bigger high level considerations at play to disallow this.

 

[Fralle]

Did you raise this request to WiiM Support? What was the reply?

I just did. Report back here when I hear something.

 

[zh_chx]

I am also on the latest firmware and this is all I get with the router off, no matter what I do.

quite different than mine. Is your WiFi on? Or your Ultra wired to Ethernet?

 

[slartibartfast]

quite different than mine. Is your WiFi on? Or your Ultra wired to Ethernet?

The router is off, no WiFi or Ethernet.