FRITZ!OS 8.50 is here! The rollout starts with the FRITZ!Box 7690 and will follow for all current FRITZ!Box and FRITZ!Repeater models in the coming weeks. This major update offers a wide range of expanded features ranging from improved diagnostic tools to additional smart home automations. A key focus is on improving the stability and security of the home network. The new DNS filter mechanisms, optimized failover protection options and intelligent prioritization of data streams make the FRITZ!Box 7690 even more robust and secure across all applications – including working from home, gaming, and the smart home. Users will have the update to FRITZ!OS 8.50 installed automatically if the Automatic Update feature is activated, or can request it directly by clicking on 'Start Update' in the 'fritz.box' user interface. Find out more about all the new features and improvements at fritz.com/fritzos.
New DNS filter: FRITZ!Box protects against unwanted contents
With FRITZ!OS 8.50, the FRITZ!Box 7690 can block access from home network devices like smartphones or computers to certain internet addresses (known as ‘domains’). The FRITZ!Box supports common standards to read in and process lists of undesirable domain names. Users can also resort to publicly available DNS filter lists to filter out advertising, trackers, and malware – and also phishing pages, botnets, or other unwanted content. This function will gradually be made available to additional select models as part of the rollout. When a device in the home network calls up a blocked address, the FRITZ!Box blocks the query automatically.
New 'Smart Check' for monitoring the status of your home and even more service
With the new Smart Check, the MyFRITZ!App shows the current status of the FRITZ!Box directly on the start screen of the app. This way users of FRITZ! products receive helpful recommendations, indications and warnings on various technical subjects such as internet, telephony, home network, Wi-Fi, LAN, USB, smart home and security – always with specific guidance on quick implementation. The Smart Check indicates when a Mesh connection to a repeater is missing, for instance, and gives tips about how to block unwanted calls to premium phone numbers. The current Smart Check status is visible at a glance on the start page of the app – one tap on ‘Smart Check’ opens the comprehensive analysis.
Automatic prioritization for stable video conferences or online gaming sessions
No more delays during important video conferences while working from home or during gaming sessions: In addition to the existing device prioritization, FRITZ!OS 8.50 can now also automatically prioritize applications that need to run in real time. The FRITZ!Box automatically detects applications such as gaming or video conferencing and prioritizes them within the home network completely automatically so that the connection remains stable. If such a connection is currently in progress, the active prioritization is displayed directly in the user interface for the respective network device and can be retraced up to 24 hours later. Automatic prioritization will be introduced for select models in the next weeks.
Failover protection now also for FRITZ!Box 4G and 5G models
With FRITZ! Failsafe – the FRITZ!Box's failover protection – FRITZ! users already stay online at all times. Starting with FRITZ!OS 8.50, it is now possible to use FRITZ! Failsafe directly on the FRITZ!Box models for 4G and 5G. For the first time, these mobile broadband devices can also connect to the internet over a LAN port, for instance, via an upstream ONT on a fiber optic connection. FRITZ! Failsafe then ensures that the mobile broadband connection temporarily takes over internet provision in the home network should a landline connection fail.
FRITZ!Fon is even more intuitive: New mode simplifies telephony and making emergency calls
FRITZ!OS 8.50 makes making calls with the FRITZ!Fon even more accessible: The new ‘simple mode’ reduces menu navigation to the essentials and maximizes ease of use. After activation, the softkeys can be used as quick-dial buttons, such that each button can be assigned a phone number or function. A special safety and convenience feature is the integrated SOS call: Up to four emergency contacts can be stored, which the phone will automatically call in sequence in case of an emergency. The flexible configuration of call intervals saves valuable time in emergency situations. The update is designed specifically for users who value accessibility and ease of use.
More energy-saving functions and new automations in the smart home
Starting with FRITZ!OS 8.50, the FRITZ!Smart Energy 200, 210 smart plugs, as well as the upcoming new indoor model FRITZ!Smart Energy 201, can be automatically turned off for safety purposes if a specified current limit is exceeded for a defined amount of time. Preconfigured automations such as ‘Leaving the House’, ‘Coming Home’ or ‘Holidays’ can be created with just a few clicks and triggered with zones (geofences) that were previously configured in the FRITZ!App Smart Home. With the next update, routines can combine multiple triggers, including zones (geofences) defined on the smartphone. This way you can configure, for instance, that a routine only becomes active when all residents have left the house. What's more, the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro can now be used as a Matter bridge. As a consequence, all FRITZ! Smart Home devices and compatible smart home devices from other manufacturers that are registered with the FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro can be integrated into an existing matter network from Apple Home, Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Users can even benefit from voice controls.