Logitech Unifying receiver: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|USB wireless receiver}}
[[File:Logitech_unifying_receiver.jpg|thumb|right|Logitech Unifying receiver (Olderolder)]]
[[File:Logitech_Unifying_Receiver_USB.jpg|thumb|right|Logitech Unifying receiver (Newernewer)]]
[[File:Unifying.webp|alt=Unifying Logo|thumb|Unifying logo]]
The '''Logitech Unifying receiver''' is a small dedicated [[USB]] wireless receiver, based on the nRF24L-family of RF devices,<ref name="mousejack">{{cite web
The '''Logitech Unifying receiverReceiver''' is a small dedicated [[USB]] wireless receiver, based on the nRF24L-family of RF devices,<ref name="mousejack">{{cite web
| title=MouseJack device discovery and research tools
| url=https://github.com/BastilleResearch/mousejack#flash-a-logitech-unifying-dongle
| first=Marc
| last=Newlin
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2016-08-07
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref> that allows up to six compatible [[Logitech]] human interface devices (such as mice, trackballs, touchpads, and keyboards; headphones are not compatible) to be linked to the same computer using [[2.4 GHz]] band radio communication. Receivers that are bundled with a Logitech product are paired with the device at the factory. When purchasing a replacement receiver or connecting multiple devices to one receiver, pairing requires the free-of-charge Logitech [https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025297913-Logitech-Unifying-Software Unifying software], available for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Mac OS XmacOS]]. On Linux, the [https://pwr-solaar.github.io/Solaar/ Solaar software] can be used to adjust the configurations. Although not compatible with [[Bluetooth]], devices pair to Unifying Receivers in a similar way.<ref name=gallegos>{{cite web
| last=Gallegos
| first=Gary
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| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073820/http://www.gadgetstreet.com/gadgets-the-logitech-unifying-receiver-aka-fake-bluetooth/
| archivedate=4 March 2016
| url-status=dead}}</ref> Peripherals remain paired, and can then be used on systems not supporting the software. Logitech receivers compatible with the Unifying protocol can be identified by the orange Unifying logo, which distinguishes them from Logitech Nano receivers of similar appearance, which pair in a similar mannersimilarly but only with a single device, without using the Unifying protocol.
 
Logitech Unifying receiversReceivers (LURs) are often included in wireless Logitech keyboard, mouse, and combo sets, and may be purchased separately. Some Logitech peripherals allow a receiver to be stored inside.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logitech.com/images/pdf/userguides/multi_connect_instructions.pdf|title=Logitech Unifying Multi-Connect Utility Setup Instructions|website=Logitech}}</ref>
 
A newer receiver named "Logitech Bolt" was released in 2021 that promises lower latency but is incompatible with Unifying products.
 
==Compatibility and use==
Each peripheral device can pair to one receiver per profile. While most peripherals only store one profile, newer products such as the Logitech MX Master, MX Anywhere series, and M720 Triathlon allow multiple profiles. These devices can be connected to multiple receivers simultaneously. This allows the use of receivers in several computers, e.g., a [[Desktop computer|desktop]] and a [[laptop]] [[computer]], selecting the computer to use by changing profiles on the mouse. This multi-computer function is further augmented by Logitech Flow (software KVM solution) which is similar to [[Synergy (software)|Synergy]]. For devices without multi-computer support, the receiver and input devices can be moved together from one computer to another, maintaining their paired status after being unplugged, as the pairing information is held in the little USB receiver<ref name="gallegos" />—this is much simpler than transferring the peripheral from one receiver to another by changing the setup in software, and also avoids the limitation to 45 pairings of older devices. This also allows the use of peripherals on computing devices that do not support Unifying Software, e.g. devices supporting [[USB OTG]] with operating systems such as [[Android (operating system)|Android]]: first pair to the receiver on a PC or Mac.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://community.musictribe.com/t5/Recording/Android-Tablets-and-Logitech-Unifying-Devices/td-p/236993 |title=Android Tablets and Logitech Unifying Devices|website=Music Tribe|date=7 January 2018|author=}}</ref>
 
Some older Unifying devices {{Specify|date=October 2024|reason=Which devices? How old?}} limit the number of allowable pairing changes to a maximum of 45 times. Once the 45th connection is made, it is no longer possible to connect such a device to a different receiver. For users who often switch a Unifying device between multiple PCs or laptops with individual receivers, this connection limit can become an issue. For example, a user who frequently switches a mouse between two receivers (e.g. at work and home) will quickly exhaust the limit of available pairing switches.<ref>{{cite web
| title=Limitations on Unifying devices
| url=https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023187214
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Pairing software is available from Logitech for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Wireless devices using the Unifying Receiver are supported since [[Linux]] 3.2.<ref>{{cite web
| title=HID: Add full support for Logitech Unifying receiversReceivers
| author=Nestor Lopez Casado
| date=2011-09-15
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== Security ==
 
Several security vulnerabilities of the Logitech Unifying system have beenwere reported in 2016 and 2019,<ref name=vulerabilities>{{cite web
| url=https://github.com/mame82/misc/blob/master/logitech_vuln_summary.md
| title=Summary / Overview of known Logitech wireless peripheral vulnerabilities
| author=mame82
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2019-07-09
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref> and patches released.
 
=== MouseJacking and keyjacking ===
[[Mousejacking|MouseJacking]], first reported by Bastille Networks, Inc.,<ref name=vulerabilities/> is the sending of malicious radio signals (packets) wirelessly to an unsuspecting user through Logitech Unifying wireless technology. The exploit takes advantage of a user's vulnerable Logitech Unifying receiverReceiver and unencrypted signals within a range of about 100 meters. Possible exploits include:
 
* Keystroke injection by either spoofing either a paired mouse or keyboard
* Forced pairing
 
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| first=Marc
| last=Viredaz
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2017-12-22
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref>
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| first=Marc
| last=Viredaz
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2017-12-22
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref>
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| first=Marc
| last=Viredaz
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2017-12-22
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref>
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| first=Marc
| last=Viredaz
| website=[[GitHub]]
| date=2017-12-22
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref>
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| archivedate=2019-07-09
| url-status=live
| accessdate=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref name=2019patch>{{cite web |url=https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360033207154-Logitech-Unifying-Receiver-Update |title=Logitech Unifying Receiver Update |website=Logitech Support + Download |date=28 August 2019 |author= |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011034356/https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360033207154-Logitech-Unifying-Receiver-Update |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
Linux users can use [[fwupd]] to flash an updated firmware. It will automatically detect available updates for any connected unifying receivers and many other firmware updatable devices. An outdated alternative is ''MouseJack''.<ref name="mousejack"/>
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== External links ==
* [https://www.logitech.com/en-us/resource-center/what-is-unifying.html Logitech Unifying Software]
* [https://lekensteyn.nl/logitech-unifying.html Logitech Unifying for Linux: Reverse Engineering and unpairing tool]
* {{GitHub|pwr-Solaar/Solaar|Solaar}} - Linux devices manager for the Logitech Unifying Receiver