Product Update Notification April 25, 2025
We have just released a new version of the nRF Connect SDK (v3.0.0). This release brings exciting new features and updates that we hope you appreciate.
Want to know more about the new features? On April 30 2025, we will have a webinar with Nordic experts explaining all the new exciting features in detail, which includes demo showcasing.
nRF Connect SDK v3.0.0
This major release of nRF Connect SDK introduces significant changes that can break backward compatibility for existing projects. Refer to the Migration guide for nRF Connect SDK v3.0.0 for further information. This concerns primarily the removal of hardware model v1 and multi-image builds functionality (parent-child images), which were deprecated in nRF Connect SDK 2.7.0. Projects must transition to hardware model v2 and Sysbuild (system build) respectively. In addition, Zigbee R22, Amazon Sidewalk, and Asset tracker v2 application have been removed from the SDK and are now available as Add-on.
There have also been changes in how the SDK is installed, as utilizing the Toolchain Manager app is not supported from 3.0.0 onwards. The SDK can be installed using any one of the following options:
- Using Visual Studio Code and the nRF Connect for Visual Studio Code (recommended).
- Using command line and nRF Util.
On Bluetooth, Channel Sounding is now supported and the Controller and Host will be Bluetooth qualified for the nRF54L Series. The Bluetooth: Channel Sounding Initiator with Ranging Requestor sample is now supported, and it includes an IFFT algorithm for Phase-Based Ranging, providing a viable distance measurement result for basic ranging applications. Results from the illustrative MCPD algorithm from the nRF Connect SDK 2.9.0 release, which is shown alongside the IFFT result, are still not recommended for ranging. Lastly, the Bluetooth controller and host are qualified for the nRF54H20, and the following LE Audio roles are also now qualified: Unicast Client Source (base stations), Broadcast Source (broadcasters/Auracasters), and Unicast Server Source (microphones).
The nPM2100 PMIC and nPM2100 EK have been added as supported. The nPM2100 is a PMIC designed for primary (non-rechargeable) batteries in an extremely compact form factor. It has an ultra-efficient boost regulator, a dual-purpose LDO/load switch, two GPIOs, an ADC, and other features. Also supported are the samples nPM2100: Fuel gauge sample, demonstrating how to calculate the state of charge of a supported primary cell battery using the nPM2100 and the nRF Fuel Gauge library, and nPM2100: One button sample, demonstrating how to support wake-up, shutdown, and user interactions through a single button connected to the nPM2100.
On the nRF54L Series, nRF54L10 and nRF54L05 are now supported targets in the nRF Desktop application. MCUboot image compression is now supported on nRF54L15 and nRF54L10, as well as nRF21540 GPIO control. On bootloader and Device Firmware Update (DFU), the nRF Secure Immutable Bootloader as first-stage immutable bootloader, and encrypted DFU with ECIES x25519 encryption using MCUboot were added as experimental. Also experimental is the QSPI external memory interface provided by sQSPI Soft Peripheral, which utilizes the nRF54L15 FLPR coprocessor, as well as the Coprocessor High Performance Framework, a framework designed to facilitate the creation and integration of software peripherals using the nRF54L15 FLPR coprocessor.
On other topics, Matter 1.4.1 is now available, and Matter commissioning using NFC tag can be officially certified now. A new supported sample was added Matter: Manufacturer-specific, containing documentation and a preview PC tool, facilitating creation and modification of manufacturer specific clusters. Memory improvements were introduced for Wi-Fi, offering up to 25 kB reduction in the RAM footprint of the Wi-Fi stack on nRF5340 and nRF54L15 hosts for Wi-Fi applications with low throughput requirements. Support was also added for the runtime certificate update for WPA Enterprise security. Lastly, significantly improved support for multiple hardware features was added for nRF54H20.
Please see the release notes for more details.