ApolloAutomation · bharvey88 · Aug 28, 2026 · Aug 28, 2026 · Aug 28, 2026
diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module.md b/docs/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module.md
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 ---
 title: Add the Ethernet Module to CAST-1
-description: How to install the Ethernet add-on module on your CAST-1 and move it onto the Ethernet firmware.
+description: "How to install the Ethernet add-on module on your CAST-1."
 ---
 # Adding the Ethernet Module
 
-The Ethernet add-on gives your CAST-1 a wired network connection in place of Wi-Fi. It's a small header board that presses onto the top of the CAST-1, so there's no case to open and nothing to solder.
+The Ethernet add-on gives your CAST-1 a wired network connection. It's a small header board that presses onto the top of the CAST-1, so there's no case to open and nothing to solder.
 
 1\. Unplug your CAST-1 from power.
 
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ The Ethernet add-on gives your CAST-1 a wired network connection in place of Wi-
 
 4\. Plug an Ethernet cable into the module, then plug the CAST-1 back into power.
 
-Your CAST-1 is still running Wi-Fi firmware, so the wired connection won't come up yet. Switch it over using the guide below.
+That's it. Your CAST-1 picks the wired connection up on its own. Check the **Network Connection** sensor on the device page to confirm it reads **Ethernet**. (1)
+{ .annotate }
+
+1.  It reads **Ethernet + WiFi** if your CAST-1 is on both at once, which is what you want. Home Assistant keeps talking to the device that way while you plug or unplug the cable.
 
-[Switch your CAST-1 to Ethernet firmware :material-lan-connect:](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/setup/cast1-switch-firmware/){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
+[Join our Discord if you need more help! :simple-discord:](https://link.apolloautomation.com/discord){ .md-button }
diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/examples/wizmote-blueprint.md b/docs/products/cast1/examples/wizmote-blueprint.md
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ Before the blueprint can control anything, pair your WizMote with the CAST-1.
 
 ![](/assets/cast-1-pair-wizmote.gif)
 
-!!! note "Pairing works a little differently on the Ethernet firmware"
+!!! note "Pairing takes longer on a CAST-1 running Ethernet only"
 
-    With no Wi-Fi to follow, your CAST-1 hops through radio channels 1 through 13 hunting for the WizMote, moving on every couple of seconds until it hears one. Keep pressing a button and it should pair within a minute.
+    A CAST-1 that's on Ethernet and not joined to any Wi-Fi network has no channel to follow, so it hops through radio channels 1 through 13 hunting for the WizMote, moving on every couple of seconds until it hears one. Keep pressing a button and it should pair within a minute.
 
 ### Import the Blueprint
 

diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/faq.md b/docs/products/cast1/faq.md
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ description: Frequently asked questions about the CAST-1 audio caster.
 
 12\. **Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?**
 
-* Yes, with the [Ethernet add-on module](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module/). It's a header board that presses onto the top of the case, and your CAST-1 then runs the Ethernet firmware.
+* Yes, with the [Ethernet add-on module](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module/). It's a header board that presses onto the top of the case. There's nothing to flash, one firmware covers both connections.
+* Plug a cable in and your CAST-1 switches over to the wired connection. If it's also joined to your Wi-Fi it keeps both up at once, so Home Assistant doesn't lose the device while you plug or unplug the cable. Take the cable out and it goes back to Wi-Fi on its own.
+* The **Network Connection** sensor on the device page shows which one is in use. It reads **Ethernet**, **WiFi**, **Ethernet + WiFi**, or **Hotspot**.
+* The setup hotspot never broadcasts while an Ethernet cable is connected. Unplug the cable if you need it back.
 
 13\. **Can I pair my phone to the CAST-1 over Bluetooth?**
 

diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/setup/cast1-switch-firmware.md b/docs/products/cast1/setup/cast1-switch-firmware.md
diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/setup/getting-started.md b/docs/products/cast1/setup/getting-started.md
@@ -61,19 +61,18 @@ There are three ways to get your CAST-1 online. Pick whichever is easier, you on
 
 === "Ethernet"
 
-    Wired setup needs the <a href="https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethernet module</a> fitted and your CAST-1 running the Ethernet firmware.
-
-    With the CAST-1 unplugged, line the module's pins up with the two rows of female header pins on top of the case, pin side down, and press it straight down until it sits flat.
+    With the CAST-1 unplugged, line the <a href="https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethernet module</a> up with the two rows of female header pins on top of the case, pin side down, and press it straight down until it sits flat.
 
     ![](/assets/cast-1-connect-ethernet-module.webp)
 
-    1\. Every CAST-1 ships on Wi-Fi firmware, so flash yours over to Ethernet first. Follow the <a href="https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/troubleshooting/cast1-reflash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reflashing guide</a> and select **Ethernet** under **Variant**.
+    1\. Plug an Ethernet cable into the module, then plug the CAST-1 into power.
 
-    2\. Plug an Ethernet cable into the module, then plug the CAST-1 into power.
+    2\. Your CAST-1 picks up an address from your router on its own, so there's nothing to enter. (1)
+    { .annotate }
 
-    3\. Your CAST-1 picks up an address from your router on its own, so there's nothing to enter.
+    1.  Unplug the cable later and your CAST-1 falls back to Wi-Fi on its own. The [FAQ](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/faq/) covers how the two connections work together.
 
-    4\. Home Assistant discovers your CAST-1 automatically. Add it below, then check the **IP Address** sensor on the device page to confirm the wired connection came up.
+    3\. Home Assistant discovers your CAST-1 automatically. Add it below, then check the **Network Connection** sensor on the device page to confirm it reads **Ethernet**.
 
 ### Add to Home Assistant
 

diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/setup/sensor-definitions.md b/docs/products/cast1/setup/sensor-definitions.md
@@ -27,8 +27,7 @@ Once added to Home Assistant you can configure different settings for your CAST-
     | Setting | Default | What it does |
     |---------|:-------:|--------------|
     | **Firmware Channel** | Stable | Which firmware channel the CAST-1 updates from. **Beta** gets new features earlier but is less tested than **Stable**. |
-    | **Firmware Type** | WiFi | Which firmware variant the CAST-1 updates to, **WiFi** or **Ethernet**. Match this to how your CAST-1 is connected. See [Switch Firmware](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/setup/cast1-switch-firmware/) to move between the two. |
-    | **Firmware Update** | n/a | Checks for and installs a firmware update for the selected Firmware Type and Channel, straight from Home Assistant. See [Updating Firmware](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/general/calibrating-and-updating/updating-firmware/) for the full walkthrough. |
+    | **Firmware Update** | n/a | Checks for and installs a firmware update from the selected channel, straight from Home Assistant. See [Updating Firmware](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/general/calibrating-and-updating/updating-firmware/) for the full walkthrough. |
     | **Bluetooth Proxy** | Off | Lets the CAST-1 act as a Bluetooth proxy for Home Assistant, extending Bluetooth range to nearby devices. |
     | **WizMote Auto-Discovery** | Off | Turn on to pair a WizMote. While it's on, the next WizMote button press links that remote to your CAST-1. |
     | **Clear WizMote Pairing** | n/a | Unpairs the current WizMote so you can pair a different one. |
@@ -52,7 +51,9 @@ Once added to Home Assistant you can configure different settings for your CAST-
     | **WizMote Status** | Whether a WizMote is paired. Shows "No WizMote paired", "Discovery mode active", or "Paired:" with the remote's MAC address. |
     | **Apollo Firmware Version** | The Apollo firmware build installed on the device (for example, `26.7.12.1`). |
     | **ESPHome Version** | The ESPHome version the firmware was compiled with. |
-    | **IP Address** | The device's IP address on your network. |
+    | **Network Connection** | Which connection the CAST-1 is using: **Ethernet**, **WiFi**, **Ethernet + WiFi** when it's on both at once, **Hotspot** while it's waiting for Wi-Fi details, or **Connecting**. |
+    | **Ethernet IP Address** | The device's IP address on the wired connection. Needs the [Ethernet module](https://wiki.apolloautomation.com/products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module/) fitted. |
+    | **WiFi IP Address** | The device's IP address on your Wi-Fi network. |
     | **Online** | Connection status of the device to Home Assistant. |
     | **ESP Temperature** | Internal temperature of the ESP32 chip. Runs warmer than the room because of the processor and Wi-Fi radio. Disabled by default. |
     | **Uptime** | How long the device has been running since its last reboot. |

diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/troubleshooting/cast1-reflash.md b/docs/products/cast1/troubleshooting/cast1-reflash.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ description: Step by step guide for reflashing The CAST-1.
 
 ![](/assets/cast-1-boot-mode-method-2.webp)
 
-4\. Open the <a href="https://install.apolloautomation.com/#/cast-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">Apollo CAST-1 Installer</a>. Under **Variant**, select **WiFi** or **Ethernet** to match your CAST-1.
+4\. Open the <a href="https://install.apolloautomation.com/#/cast-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">Apollo CAST-1 Installer</a>.
 
 5\. Click **Connect & Install**. In the browser popup, select **USB JTAG/serial debug unit** and click **Allow**. When the installer opens, click **Install** to flash the firmware, then click **Install** again to confirm.
 

diff --git a/docs/products/cast1/troubleshooting/cast1-reset-wi-fi-credentials.md b/docs/products/cast1/troubleshooting/cast1-reset-wi-fi-credentials.md
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ description: Step by step guide for resetting the Wi-Fi Credentials on your CAST
 ---
 # Reset Wi-Fi Credentials on your CAST-1
 
-!!! note "WiFi firmware only"
+!!! note "Using the Ethernet module? Unplug the cable first."
 
-    Only the WiFi firmware broadcasts a hotspot. If your CAST-1 runs the Ethernet firmware it won't broadcast a hotspot, so these steps don't apply.
+    Your CAST-1 doesn't broadcast its hotspot while an Ethernet cable is connected, so take the cable out before you start.
 
 1\. Plug the CAST-1 into power.
 

diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -261,7 +261,6 @@ nav:
           - Getting Started: products/cast1/setup/getting-started.md
           - Additional Info:
             - Sensor Definitions: products/cast1/setup/sensor-definitions.md
-            - Switch Firmware: products/cast1/setup/cast1-switch-firmware.md
             - ESPHome Device Builder: products/cast1/additional-info/esphome-device-builder.md
           - Addons:
             - Ethernet Module: products/cast1/addons/ethernet-module.md