diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index b80ed0c214..a8a0d89878 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "wled",
-  "version": "0.15.1",
+  "version": "0.15.2-beta2",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "wled",
-      "version": "0.15.1",
+      "version": "0.15.2-beta2",
       "license": "ISC",
       "dependencies": {
         "clean-css": "^5.3.3",
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 8bb38fece3..a34172df1e 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -273,8 +273,8 @@ board_build.partitions = ${esp32.default_partitions}   ;; default partioning for
 ;;
 ;; please note that you can NOT update existing ESP32 installs with a "V4" build. Also updating by OTA will not work properly.
 ;; You need to completely erase your device (esptool erase_flash) first, then install the "V4" build from VSCode+platformio.
-platform = espressif32@ ~6.3.2
-platform_packages = platformio/framework-arduinoespressif32 @ 3.20009.0    ;; select arduino-esp32 v2.0.9 (arduino-esp32 2.0.10 thru 2.0.14 are buggy so avoid them)
+platform = https://github.com/tasmota/platform-espressif32/releases/download/2023.06.02/platform-espressif32.zip ;; Tasmota Arduino Core 2.0.9 with IPv6 support, based on IDF 4.4.4
+platform_packages =
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
 build_flags = -g
   -Wshadow=compatible-local ;; emit warning in case a local variable "shadows" another local one
@@ -449,6 +449,8 @@ lib_deps = ${esp32_idf_V4.lib_deps}
   ${esp32.AR_lib_deps}
 monitor_filters = esp32_exception_decoder
 board_build.partitions = ${esp32.default_partitions}
+board_build.flash_mode = dio
+upload_speed = 921600
 
 [env:esp32dev_8M]
 board = esp32dev
diff --git a/wled00/data/update.htm b/wled00/data/update.htm
index 267f2b63bc..3d924d9f0f 100644
--- a/wled00/data/update.htm
+++ b/wled00/data/update.htm
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 	<title>WLED Update</title>
 	<script>
 		function B() { window.history.back(); }
-		function U() { document.getElementById("uf").style.display="none";document.getElementById("msg").style.display="block"; }
+		function U() { document.getElementById("uf").style.display="none";document.getElementById("bootloader-section").style.display="none";document.getElementById("msg").style.display="block"; }
 		function GetV() {
 			// Fetch device info via JSON API instead of compiling it in
 			fetch('/json/info')
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@
 					if (data.arch == "esp8266") {
 						toggle('rev');
 					}
+					const isESP32 = data.arch && (data.arch.toLowerCase() === 'esp32' || data.arch.toLowerCase() === 'esp32-s2');
+					if (isESP32) {
+						document.getElementById('bootloader-section').style.display = 'block';
+						if (data.bootloaderSHA256) {
+							document.getElementById('bootloader-hash').innerText = 'Current bootloader SHA256: ' + data.bootloaderSHA256;
+						}
+					}
 				})
 				.catch(error => {
 					console.log('Could not fetch device info:', error);
@@ -31,15 +38,14 @@
 		@import url("style.css");
 	</style>
 </head>
-
-<body onload="GetV()">
+<body onload="GetV();">
 	<h2>WLED Software Update</h2>
 	<form method='POST' action='./update' id='uf' enctype='multipart/form-data' onsubmit="U()">
 		Installed version: <span class="sip installed-version">Loading...</span><br>
 		Release: <span class="sip release-name">Loading...</span><br>
-		Download the latest binary:&nbsp;<a href="https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED/releases" target="_blank" 
+		Download the latest binary: <a href="https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases" target="_blank"
 		style="vertical-align: text-bottom; display: inline-flex;">
-		<img src="https://img.shields.io/github/release/Aircoookie/WLED.svg?style=flat-square"></a><br>
+		<img src="https://img.shields.io/github/release/wled/WLED.svg?style=flat-square"></a><br>
 		<input type="hidden" name="skipValidation" value="" id="sV">
 		<input type='file' name='update' required><br> <!--should have accept='.bin', but it prevents file upload from android app-->
 		<input type='checkbox' onchange="sV.value=checked?1:''" id="skipValidation">
@@ -47,6 +53,16 @@ <h2>WLED Software Update</h2>
 		<button type="submit">Update!</button><br>
 		<button type="button" onclick="B()">Back</button>
 	</form>
+	<div id="bootloader-section" style="display:none;">
+		<hr class="sml">
+		<h2>ESP32 Bootloader Update</h2>
+		<div id="bootloader-hash" class="sip" style="margin-bottom:8px;"></div>
+		<form method='POST' action='./updatebootloader' id='bootupd' enctype='multipart/form-data' onsubmit="U()">
+			<b>Warning:</b> Only upload verified ESP32 bootloader files!<br>
+			<input type='file' name='update' required><br>
+			<button type="submit">Update Bootloader</button>
+		</form>
+	</div>
 	<div id="msg"><b>Updating...</b><br>Please do not close or refresh the page :)</div>
 </body>
 </html>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/wled00/json.cpp b/wled00/json.cpp
index ac9b0432b4..da47661bb0 100644
--- a/wled00/json.cpp
+++ b/wled00/json.cpp
@@ -753,6 +753,9 @@ void serializeInfo(JsonObject root)
   root[F("resetReason1")] = (int)rtc_get_reset_reason(1);
   #endif
   root[F("lwip")] = 0; //deprecated
+  #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_OTA
+  root[F("bootloaderSHA256")] = getBootloaderSHA256Hex();
+  #endif
 #else
   root[F("arch")] = "esp8266";
   root[F("core")] = ESP.getCoreVersion();
diff --git a/wled00/ota_update.cpp b/wled00/ota_update.cpp
index 2f3d6145e6..db3c16636a 100644
--- a/wled00/ota_update.cpp
+++ b/wled00/ota_update.cpp
@@ -3,12 +3,15 @@
 
 #ifdef ESP32
 #include <esp_ota_ops.h>
+#include <esp_flash.h>
+#include <mbedtls/sha256.h>
 #endif
 
 // Platform-specific metadata locations
 #ifdef ESP32
 constexpr size_t METADATA_OFFSET = 256;          // ESP32: metadata appears after Espressif metadata
 #define UPDATE_ERROR errorString
+const size_t BOOTLOADER_OFFSET = 0x1000;
 #elif defined(ESP8266)
 constexpr size_t METADATA_OFFSET = 0x1000;     // ESP8266: metadata appears at 4KB offset
 #define UPDATE_ERROR getErrorString
@@ -253,4 +256,472 @@ void handleOTAData(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, size_t index, uint8_t *data,
     // Upload complete
     context->uploadComplete = true;
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32) && !defined(WLED_DISABLE_OTA)
+// Cache for bootloader SHA256 digest as hex string
+static String bootloaderSHA256HexCache = "";
+
+// Calculate and cache the bootloader SHA256 digest as hex string
+void calculateBootloaderSHA256() {
+  if (!bootloaderSHA256HexCache.isEmpty()) return;
+
+  // Bootloader is at fixed offset 0x1000 (4KB) and is typically 32KB
+  const uint32_t bootloaderSize = 0x8000; // 32KB, typical bootloader size
+
+  // Calculate SHA256
+  uint8_t sha256[32];
+  mbedtls_sha256_context ctx;
+  mbedtls_sha256_init(&ctx);
+  mbedtls_sha256_starts(&ctx, 0); // 0 = SHA256 (not SHA224)
+
+  const size_t chunkSize = 256;
+  uint8_t buffer[chunkSize];
+
+  for (uint32_t offset = 0; offset < bootloaderSize; offset += chunkSize) {
+    size_t readSize = min((size_t)(bootloaderSize - offset), chunkSize);
+    if (esp_flash_read(NULL, buffer, BOOTLOADER_OFFSET + offset, readSize) == ESP_OK) {
+      mbedtls_sha256_update(&ctx, buffer, readSize);
+    }
+  }
+
+  mbedtls_sha256_finish(&ctx, sha256);
+  mbedtls_sha256_free(&ctx);
+
+  // Convert to hex string and cache it
+  char hex[65];
+  for (int i = 0; i < 32; i++) {
+    sprintf(hex + (i * 2), "%02x", sha256[i]);
+  }
+  hex[64] = '\0';
+  bootloaderSHA256HexCache = String(hex);
+}
+
+// Get bootloader SHA256 as hex string
+String getBootloaderSHA256Hex() {
+  calculateBootloaderSHA256();
+  return bootloaderSHA256HexCache;
+}
+
+// Invalidate cached bootloader SHA256 (call after bootloader update)
+void invalidateBootloaderSHA256Cache() {
+  bootloaderSHA256HexCache = "";
+}
+
+// Verify complete buffered bootloader using ESP-IDF validation approach
+// This matches the key validation steps from esp_image_verify() in ESP-IDF
+// Returns the actual bootloader data pointer and length via the buffer and len parameters
+bool verifyBootloaderImage(const uint8_t* &buffer, size_t &len, String* bootloaderErrorMsg) {
+  size_t availableLen = len;
+  if (!bootloaderErrorMsg) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("bootloaderErrorMsg is null"));
+    return false;
+  }
+  // ESP32 image header structure (based on esp_image_format.h)
+  // Offset 0: magic (0xE9)
+  // Offset 1: segment_count
+  // Offset 2: spi_mode
+  // Offset 3: spi_speed (4 bits) + spi_size (4 bits)
+  // Offset 4-7: entry_addr (uint32_t)
+  // Offset 8: wp_pin
+  // Offset 9-11: spi_pin_drv[3]
+  // Offset 12-13: chip_id (uint16_t, little-endian)
+  // Offset 14: min_chip_rev
+  // Offset 15-22: reserved[8]
+  // Offset 23: hash_appended
+
+  const size_t MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE = 24;
+
+  // 1. Validate minimum size for header
+  if (len < MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader too small - invalid header";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Check if the bootloader starts at offset 0x1000 (common in partition table dumps)
+  // This happens when someone uploads a complete flash dump instead of just the bootloader
+  if (len > BOOTLOADER_OFFSET + MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE &&
+      buffer[BOOTLOADER_OFFSET] == 0xE9 &&
+      buffer[0] != 0xE9) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader magic byte detected at offset 0x%04X - adjusting buffer\n"), BOOTLOADER_OFFSET);
+    // Adjust buffer pointer to start at the actual bootloader
+    buffer = buffer + BOOTLOADER_OFFSET;
+    len = len - BOOTLOADER_OFFSET;
+
+    // Re-validate size after adjustment
+    if (len < MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader at offset 0x1000 too small - invalid header";
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // 2. Magic byte check (matches esp_image_verify step 1)
+  if (buffer[0] != 0xE9) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Invalid bootloader magic byte (expected 0xE9, got 0x" + String(buffer[0], HEX) + ")";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // 3. Segment count validation (matches esp_image_verify step 2)
+  uint8_t segmentCount = buffer[1];
+  if (segmentCount == 0 || segmentCount > 16) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Invalid segment count: " + String(segmentCount);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // 4. SPI mode validation (basic sanity check)
+  uint8_t spiMode = buffer[2];
+  if (spiMode > 3) {  // Valid modes are 0-3 (QIO, QOUT, DIO, DOUT)
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Invalid SPI mode: " + String(spiMode);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // 5. Chip ID validation (matches esp_image_verify step 3)
+  uint16_t chipId = buffer[12] | (buffer[13] << 8);  // Little-endian
+
+  // Known ESP32 chip IDs from ESP-IDF:
+  // 0x0000 = ESP32
+  // 0x0002 = ESP32-S2
+  // 0x0005 = ESP32-C3
+  // 0x0009 = ESP32-S3
+  // 0x000C = ESP32-C2
+  // 0x000D = ESP32-C6
+  // 0x0010 = ESP32-H2
+
+  #if defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32)
+    if (chipId != 0x0000) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Chip ID mismatch - expected ESP32 (0x0000), got 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+  #elif defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S2)
+    if (chipId != 0x0002) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Chip ID mismatch - expected ESP32-S2 (0x0002), got 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+  #elif defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32C3)
+    if (chipId != 0x0005) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Chip ID mismatch - expected ESP32-C3 (0x0005), got 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "ESP32-C3 update not supported yet";
+    return false;
+  #elif defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32S3)
+    if (chipId != 0x0009) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Chip ID mismatch - expected ESP32-S3 (0x0009), got 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "ESP32-S3 update not supported yet";
+    return false;
+  #elif defined(CONFIG_IDF_TARGET_ESP32C6)
+    if (chipId != 0x000D) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Chip ID mismatch - expected ESP32-C6 (0x000D), got 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "ESP32-C6 update not supported yet";
+    return false;
+  #else
+    // Generic validation - chip ID should be valid
+    if (chipId > 0x00FF) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Invalid chip ID: 0x" + String(chipId, HEX);
+      return false;
+    }
+   *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Unknown ESP32 target - bootloader update not supported";
+   return false;
+  #endif
+
+  // 6. Entry point validation (should be in valid memory range)
+  uint32_t entryAddr = buffer[4] | (buffer[5] << 8) | (buffer[6] << 16) | (buffer[7] << 24);
+  // ESP32 bootloader entry points are typically in IRAM range (0x40000000 - 0x40400000)
+  // or ROM range (0x40000000 and above)
+  if (entryAddr < 0x40000000 || entryAddr > 0x50000000) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Invalid entry address: 0x" + String(entryAddr, HEX);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // 7. Basic segment structure validation
+  // Each segment has a header: load_addr (4 bytes) + data_len (4 bytes)
+  size_t offset = MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE;
+  size_t actualBootloaderSize = MIN_IMAGE_HEADER_SIZE;
+
+  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < segmentCount && offset + 8 <= len; i++) {
+    uint32_t segmentSize = buffer[offset + 4] | (buffer[offset + 5] << 8) |
+                           (buffer[offset + 6] << 16) | (buffer[offset + 7] << 24);
+
+    // Segment size sanity check
+    // ESP32 classic bootloader segments can be larger, C3 are smaller
+    if (segmentSize > 0x20000) {  // 128KB max per segment (very generous)
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Segment " + String(i) + " too large: " + String(segmentSize) + " bytes";
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    offset += 8 + segmentSize;  // Skip segment header and data
+  }
+
+  actualBootloaderSize = offset;
+
+  // 8. Check for appended SHA256 hash (byte 23 in header)
+  // If hash_appended != 0, there's a 32-byte SHA256 hash after the segments
+  uint8_t hashAppended = buffer[23];
+  if (hashAppended != 0) {
+    actualBootloaderSize += 32;
+    if (actualBootloaderSize > availableLen) {
+      *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader missing SHA256 trailer";
+      return false;
+    }
+    DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader has appended SHA256 hash\n"));
+  }
+
+  // 9. The image may also have a 1-byte checksum after segments/hash
+  // Check if there's at least one more byte available
+  if (actualBootloaderSize + 1 <= availableLen) {
+    // There's likely a checksum byte
+    actualBootloaderSize += 1;
+  } else if (actualBootloaderSize > availableLen) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader truncated before checksum";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // 10. Align to 16 bytes (ESP32 requirement for flash writes)
+  // The bootloader image must be 16-byte aligned
+  if (actualBootloaderSize % 16 != 0) {
+    size_t alignedSize = ((actualBootloaderSize + 15) / 16) * 16;
+    // Make sure we don't exceed available data
+    if (alignedSize <= len) {
+      actualBootloaderSize = alignedSize;
+    }
+  }
+
+  DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader validation: %d segments, actual size %d bytes (buffer size %d bytes, hash_appended=%d)\n"),
+                 segmentCount, actualBootloaderSize, len, hashAppended);
+
+  // 11. Verify we have enough data for all segments + hash + checksum
+  if (actualBootloaderSize > availableLen) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader truncated - expected at least " + String(actualBootloaderSize) + " bytes, have " + String(availableLen) + " bytes";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (offset > availableLen) {
+    *bootloaderErrorMsg = "Bootloader truncated - expected at least " + String(offset) + " bytes, have " + String(len) + " bytes";
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Update len to reflect actual bootloader size (including hash and checksum, with alignment)
+  // This is critical - we must write the complete image including checksums
+  len = actualBootloaderSize;
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+// Bootloader OTA context structure
+struct BootloaderUpdateContext {
+  // State flags
+  bool replySent = false;
+  bool uploadComplete = false;
+  String errorMessage;
+
+  // Buffer to hold bootloader data
+  uint8_t* buffer = nullptr;
+  size_t bytesBuffered = 0;
+  const uint32_t bootloaderOffset = 0x1000;
+  const uint32_t maxBootloaderSize = 0x10000; // 64KB buffer size
+};
+
+// Cleanup bootloader OTA context
+static void endBootloaderOTA(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
+  BootloaderUpdateContext* context = reinterpret_cast<BootloaderUpdateContext*>(request->_tempObject);
+  request->_tempObject = nullptr;
+
+  DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("EndBootloaderOTA %x --> %x\n"), (uintptr_t)request, (uintptr_t)context);
+  if (context) {
+    if (context->buffer) {
+      free(context->buffer);
+      context->buffer = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    // If update failed, restore system state
+    if (!context->uploadComplete || !context->errorMessage.isEmpty()) {
+      strip.resume();
+      #if WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT > 0
+      WLED::instance().enableWatchdog();
+      #endif
+    }
+
+    delete context;
+  }
+}
+
+// Initialize bootloader OTA context
+bool initBootloaderOTA(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
+  if (request->_tempObject) {
+    return true; // Already initialized
+  }
+
+  BootloaderUpdateContext* context = new BootloaderUpdateContext();
+  if (!context) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Failed to allocate bootloader OTA context"));
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  request->_tempObject = context;
+  request->onDisconnect([=]() { endBootloaderOTA(request); });  // ensures cleanup on disconnect
+
+  DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Bootloader Update Start - initializing buffer"));
+  #if WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT > 0
+  WLED::instance().disableWatchdog();
+  #endif
+  lastEditTime = millis(); // make sure PIN does not lock during update
+  strip.suspend();
+  strip.resetSegments();
+
+  // Check available heap before attempting allocation
+  // size_t freeHeap = getFreeHeapSize();
+  DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Free heap before bootloader buffer allocation: %d bytes (need %d bytes)\n"), freeHeap, context->maxBootloaderSize);
+
+  context->buffer = (uint8_t*)malloc(context->maxBootloaderSize);
+  if (!context->buffer) {
+    // size_t freeHeapNow = getFreeHeapSize();
+    DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Failed to allocate %d byte bootloader buffer!\n"), context->maxBootloaderSize);
+    context->errorMessage = "Out of memory! need: " + String(context->maxBootloaderSize) + " bytes";
+    strip.resume();
+    #if WLED_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT > 0
+    WLED::instance().enableWatchdog();
+    #endif
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  context->bytesBuffered = 0;
+  return true;
+}
+
+// Set bootloader OTA replied flag
+void setBootloaderOTAReplied(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
+  BootloaderUpdateContext* context = reinterpret_cast<BootloaderUpdateContext*>(request->_tempObject);
+  if (context) {
+    context->replySent = true;
+  }
+}
+
+// Get bootloader OTA result
+std::pair<bool, String> getBootloaderOTAResult(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
+  BootloaderUpdateContext* context = reinterpret_cast<BootloaderUpdateContext*>(request->_tempObject);
+
+  if (!context) {
+    return std::make_pair(true, String(F("Internal error: No bootloader OTA context")));
+  }
+
+  bool needsReply = !context->replySent;
+  String errorMsg = context->errorMessage;
+
+  // If upload was successful, return empty string and trigger reboot
+  if (context->uploadComplete && errorMsg.isEmpty()) {
+    doReboot = true;
+    endBootloaderOTA(request);
+    return std::make_pair(needsReply, String());
+  }
+
+  // If there was an error, return it
+  if (!errorMsg.isEmpty()) {
+    endBootloaderOTA(request);
+    return std::make_pair(needsReply, errorMsg);
+  }
+
+  // Should never happen
+  return std::make_pair(true, String(F("Internal software failure")));
+}
+
+// Handle bootloader OTA data
+void handleBootloaderOTAData(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, size_t index, uint8_t *data, size_t len, bool isFinal) {
+  BootloaderUpdateContext* context = reinterpret_cast<BootloaderUpdateContext*>(request->_tempObject);
+
+  if (!context) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("No bootloader OTA context - ignoring data"));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (!context->errorMessage.isEmpty()) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Buffer the incoming data
+  if (context->buffer && context->bytesBuffered + len <= context->maxBootloaderSize) {
+    memcpy(context->buffer + context->bytesBuffered, data, len);
+    context->bytesBuffered += len;
+    DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader buffer progress: %d / %d bytes\n"), context->bytesBuffered, context->maxBootloaderSize);
+  } else if (!context->buffer) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Bootloader buffer not allocated!"));
+    context->errorMessage = "Internal error: Bootloader buffer not allocated";
+    return;
+  } else {
+    size_t totalSize = context->bytesBuffered + len;
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Bootloader size exceeds maximum!"));
+    context->errorMessage = "Bootloader file too large: " + String(totalSize) + " bytes (max: " + String(context->maxBootloaderSize) + " bytes)";
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Only write to flash when upload is complete
+  if (isFinal) {
+    DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Bootloader Upload Complete - validating and flashing"));
+
+    if (context->buffer && context->bytesBuffered > 0) {
+      // Prepare pointers for verification (may be adjusted if bootloader at offset)
+      const uint8_t* bootloaderData = context->buffer;
+      size_t bootloaderSize = context->bytesBuffered;
+
+      // Verify the complete bootloader image before flashing
+      // Note: verifyBootloaderImage may adjust bootloaderData pointer and bootloaderSize
+      // for validation purposes only
+      if (!verifyBootloaderImage(bootloaderData, bootloaderSize, &context->errorMessage)) {
+        DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Bootloader validation failed!"));
+        // Error message already set by verifyBootloaderImage
+      } else {
+        // Calculate offset to write to flash
+        // If bootloaderData was adjusted (partition table detected), we need to skip it in flash too
+        size_t flashOffset = context->bootloaderOffset;
+        const uint8_t* dataToWrite = context->buffer;
+        size_t bytesToWrite = context->bytesBuffered;
+
+        // If validation adjusted the pointer, it means we have a partition table at the start
+        // In this case, we should skip writing the partition table and write bootloader at 0x1000
+        if (bootloaderData != context->buffer) {
+          // bootloaderData was adjusted - skip partition table in our data
+          size_t partitionTableSize = bootloaderData - context->buffer;
+          dataToWrite = bootloaderData;
+          bytesToWrite = bootloaderSize;
+          DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Skipping %d bytes of partition table data\n"), partitionTableSize);
+        }
+
+        DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader validation passed - writing %d bytes to flash at 0x%04X\n"),
+                       bytesToWrite, flashOffset);
+
+        // Calculate erase size (must be multiple of 4KB)
+        size_t eraseSize = ((bytesToWrite + 0xFFF) / 0x1000) * 0x1000;
+        if (eraseSize > context->maxBootloaderSize) {
+          eraseSize = context->maxBootloaderSize;
+        }
+
+        // Erase bootloader region
+        DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Erasing %d bytes at 0x%04X...\n"), eraseSize, flashOffset);
+        esp_err_t err = esp_flash_erase_region(NULL, flashOffset, eraseSize);
+        if (err != ESP_OK) {
+          DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader erase error: %d\n"), err);
+          context->errorMessage = "Flash erase failed (error code: " + String(err) + ")";
+        } else {
+          // Write the validated bootloader data to flash
+          err = esp_flash_write(NULL, dataToWrite, flashOffset, bytesToWrite);
+          if (err != ESP_OK) {
+            DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader flash write error: %d\n"), err);
+            context->errorMessage = "Flash write failed (error code: " + String(err) + ")";
+          } else {
+            DEBUG_PRINTF_P(PSTR("Bootloader Update Success - %d bytes written to 0x%04X\n"),
+                           bytesToWrite, flashOffset);
+            // Invalidate cached bootloader hash
+            invalidateBootloaderSHA256Cache();
+            context->uploadComplete = true;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    } else if (context->bytesBuffered == 0) {
+      context->errorMessage = "No bootloader data received";
+    }
+  }
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/wled00/ota_update.h b/wled00/ota_update.h
index c8fd702643..82d97d6ce4 100644
--- a/wled00/ota_update.h
+++ b/wled00/ota_update.h
@@ -50,3 +50,65 @@ std::pair<bool, String> getOTAResult(AsyncWebServerRequest *request);
  * @return bool indicating if a reply is necessary; string with error message if the update failed.
  */
 void handleOTAData(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, size_t index, uint8_t *data, size_t len, bool isFinal);
+
+#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32) && !defined(WLED_DISABLE_OTA)
+/**
+ * Calculate and cache the bootloader SHA256 digest
+ * Reads the bootloader from flash at offset 0x1000 and computes SHA256 hash
+ */
+void calculateBootloaderSHA256();
+
+/**
+ * Get bootloader SHA256 as hex string
+ * @return String containing 64-character hex representation of SHA256 hash
+ */
+String getBootloaderSHA256Hex();
+
+/**
+ * Invalidate cached bootloader SHA256 (call after bootloader update)
+ * Forces recalculation on next call to calculateBootloaderSHA256 or getBootloaderSHA256Hex
+ */
+void invalidateBootloaderSHA256Cache();
+
+/**
+ * Verify complete buffered bootloader using ESP-IDF validation approach
+ * This matches the key validation steps from esp_image_verify() in ESP-IDF
+ * @param buffer Reference to pointer to bootloader binary data (will be adjusted if offset detected)
+ * @param len Reference to length of bootloader data (will be adjusted to actual size)
+ * @param bootloaderErrorMsg Pointer to String to store error message (must not be null)
+ * @return true if validation passed, false otherwise
+ */
+bool verifyBootloaderImage(const uint8_t* &buffer, size_t &len, String* bootloaderErrorMsg);
+
+/**
+ * Create a bootloader OTA context object on an AsyncWebServerRequest
+ * @param request Pointer to web request object
+ * @return true if allocation was successful, false if not
+ */
+bool initBootloaderOTA(AsyncWebServerRequest *request);
+
+/**
+ * Indicate to the bootloader OTA subsystem that a reply has already been generated
+ * @param request Pointer to web request object
+ */
+void setBootloaderOTAReplied(AsyncWebServerRequest *request);
+
+/**
+ * Retrieve the bootloader OTA result.
+ * @param request Pointer to web request object
+ * @return bool indicating if a reply is necessary; string with error message if the update failed.
+ */
+std::pair<bool, String> getBootloaderOTAResult(AsyncWebServerRequest *request);
+
+/**
+ * Process a block of bootloader OTA data. This is a passthrough of an ArUploadHandlerFunction.
+ * Requires that initBootloaderOTA be called on the handler object before any work will be done.
+ * @param request Pointer to web request object
+ * @param index Offset in to uploaded file
+ * @param data New data bytes
+ * @param len Length of new data bytes
+ * @param isFinal Indicates that this is the last block
+ */
+void handleBootloaderOTAData(AsyncWebServerRequest *request, size_t index, uint8_t *data, size_t len, bool isFinal);
+#endif
+
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index f29656e4c7..1fcb535167 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -183,6 +183,9 @@ using PSRAMDynamicJsonDocument = BasicJsonDocument<PSRAM_Allocator>;
 #include "FastLED.h"
 #include "const.h"
 #include "fcn_declare.h"
+#ifndef WLED_DISABLE_OTA
+  #include "ota_update.h"
+#endif
 #include "NodeStruct.h"
 #include "pin_manager.h"
 #include "bus_manager.h"
diff --git a/wled00/wled_server.cpp b/wled00/wled_server.cpp
index 1ae252c9e2..07088acc08 100644
--- a/wled00/wled_server.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled_server.cpp
@@ -420,6 +420,45 @@ void initServer()
   });
 #endif
 
+#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32) && !defined(WLED_DISABLE_OTA)
+  // ESP32 bootloader update endpoint
+  server.on(F("/updatebootloader"), HTTP_POST, [](AsyncWebServerRequest *request){
+    if (request->_tempObject) {
+      auto bootloader_result = getBootloaderOTAResult(request);
+      if (bootloader_result.first) {
+        if (bootloader_result.second.length() > 0) {
+          serveMessage(request, 500, F("Bootloader update failed!"), bootloader_result.second, 254);
+        } else {
+          serveMessage(request, 200, F("Bootloader updated successfully!"), FPSTR(s_rebooting), 131);
+        }
+      }
+    } else {
+      // No context structure - something's gone horribly wrong
+      serveMessage(request, 500, F("Bootloader update failed!"), F("Internal server fault"), 254);
+    }
+  },[](AsyncWebServerRequest *request, String filename, size_t index, uint8_t *data, size_t len, bool isFinal){
+    if (index == 0) {
+      // Privilege checks
+      if (!correctPIN) {
+        serveMessage(request, 401, FPSTR(s_accessdenied), FPSTR(s_unlock_cfg), 254);
+        setBootloaderOTAReplied(request);
+        return;
+      }
+      if (otaLock) {
+        serveMessage(request, 401, FPSTR(s_accessdenied), FPSTR(s_unlock_ota), 254);
+        setBootloaderOTAReplied(request);
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Allocate the context structure
+      if (!initBootloaderOTA(request)) {
+        return; // Error will be dealt with after upload in response handler, above
+      }
+    }
+
+    handleBootloaderOTAData(request, index, data, len, isFinal);
+  });
+#endif
 
 #ifdef WLED_ENABLE_DMX
   server.on(F("/dmxmap"), HTTP_GET, [](AsyncWebServerRequest *request){
