Official Z12 Ultra Questions and Discussion thread.

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  • 4. Instruction Articles

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    Quote from Eba

    Hello Guys,

    I paid last Formuler Z12 Ultra during my last trip to Canada, but I can't use it while in the DRC where I reside. Can you help me?recept.pdf recept.pdf

    It's needs for the first time activated/setup in the country you bought it.

    I think you need to send it back and buy a box in the country you life.

    I don't understand why they geoblock there devices. But that's not on me.

    Edited once, last by Lucky13 (January 29, 2026 at 12:24 PM).

    • Official Post
    Quote from Belgiumuser

    The service was always very goed until the cloudflare error came on. Maybe SAM can help me?

    Two solutions:

    1. Your Provider change the dns and fix the issue with this.

    2. You use Private dns and change to other dns than cloudflare or quad.

    Quote from SAM

    Two solutions:

    1. Your Provider change the dns and fix the issue with this.

    2. You use Private dns and change to other dns than cloudflare or quad.

    Could Google private DNS work?

    • Official Post

    Google, Cloudflare, quad, all of them let meanwhile block Providers. In France are at moment big blocks in progress. You have to try more different dns to see which one works great with your provider.

    Quote from SAM

    Google, Cloudflare, quad, all of them let meanwhile block Providers. In France are at moment big blocks in progress. You have to try more different dns to see which one works great with your provider.

    How to set private DNS and where do I find some?

    Maybe better search another provider because current one did not understand what's the problem is? 😭I was always happy with this provider's service.

    Quote from Eba

    Hello Guys,

    I paid last Formuler Z12 Ultra during my last trip to Canada, but I can't use it while in the DRC where I reside. Can you help me?recept.pdf recept.pdf

    That’s because the box is only for Canada. As someone already said you need to buy a box for your region. The boxes unfortunately are geolocked to wherever you buy it from ie my uk box will not work anywhere else in the world. Its a dumb decision on formuler to geolock boxes.
    Perhaps get in touch with formuler and see if they can unlock it for you for your region.

    Quote from toddy

    Wouldn't a VPN be able to solve Formuler's geographic zone problem?

    No, the first time need to activated without vpn in country where it is bought.

    If you go true setup and setup internet it comes already with the block.

    you skip maby internet, but you need to install vpn.

    Before that you already connected with your home isp. And then comes the block. You can't connect with before internet is online

    Quote from SAM

    Tested on my side, was not able to reproduce (last update). Short press opens last channel and longer press the channel history.

    Try with reinstall of MOL3.

    Thank you SAM.

    I reinstalled MOL3 as you suggested and it cured the problem. But I had to re-imput all my settings manually again. I had saved my settings on a usb drive but this was not noticed by the updated MOL3. after updating, untill I formatted the usb drive again.

    • Official Post

    Deinstall over main menu-> cog wheel -> Settings -> Apps -> MOL3

    Install -> software update, it recognise MOL3 is not installed and install again.

    MOL3 is multiple times in green logo app(with black trolley),it should be there in first row and third row of Market Apps.

    Today Feb 01 2026 I turned on my formuler z12 ultra after not using it for a few weeks. I saw there was a firmware update and pressed update. It appeared to be updating fine but would not come back to life. It starts, shows the formuler z12 ultra logo then shuts off and tries again on a continuous loop. I've unplugged it, did a factory reset and every other option I could find online to no success. It appears to have been bricked by this firmware update. Can anyone help me?

    Quote from RandyR

    Today Feb 01 2026 I turned on my formuler z12 ultra after not using it for a few weeks. I saw there was a firmware update and pressed update. It appeared to be updating fine but would not come back to life. It starts, shows the formuler z12 ultra logo then shuts off and tries again on a continuous loop. I've unplugged it, did a factory reset and every other option I could find online to no success. It appears to have been bricked by this firmware update. Can anyone help me?

    Keep trying hard reset my friend.

    • Official Post

    Did something happen through update process? Power failed or similar?

    When you cut power for 10 Min (disconnect all connected devices from the box, even the ethernet cable if in use) and connect the box again with power, does the loop starts again? If you can see after that the main menu, start gain with update to see if the update is not maybe aborted.

    Sam---The box was updating. I thought it was about finished. It just hung there doing nothing. I left it for a few minutes and could not get a response with the remote. I pulled the power and plugged it in thinking it would restart. It would start, show the z12 ultra logo page and shut down. It was a continuous loop I could not rectify and it would not factory reset. Tried everything.

    • Official Post

    I think you did pulled the power to early, some tasks and such big firmware install need time. If some task stop or have issues, you need to wait at least 30 minutes. The installer recognise at some point that install is not ok, then it reboots or turn off the box. Sorry but you have to use your warranty and contact seller in this case.

    Quote from SAM

    I think you did pulled the power to early, some tasks and such big firmware install need time. If some task stop or have issues, you need to wait at least 30 minutes. The installer recognise at some point that install is not ok, then it reboots or turn off the box. Sorry but you have to use your warranty and contact seller in this case.

    I did contact the seller and have sent the unit in. But I would expect that Formuler would handle the warranty as it is their product. What I got was a few sporadic emails telling me to try different things and then absolute silence and no other response even though I emailed back telling them I was waiting to know what to do. When you build up a company only to leave your customers stranded you're on your way to failure. There should also be a warning from Formuler prior to install of firmware that their updates are going to take unusually long and the boxes will appear dead until finished with no indication. If that was in fact such the case. Not impressed with Formulers handling of support. And as far as my end goes all networking is up to par as is the equipment. All is hooked up to cat8. No issues on my end.

    Edited once, last by RandyR (February 3, 2026 at 9:10 PM).

    Hi.

    Im using stremio 1.6.12 (as it seems is a stable version) and also using Real Debrid with Torrentio RD and DDM-Cast For Real Debrid.

    Today, for a specific movie, the box started to block/shut down (even though light is still white) whenever I tried to go back from the movie to any place back (formuler home, stremio home, etc).

    Does anyone have issues like these using stremio?

    Quote from Yezzle

    Hey guys,


    I just noticed the boxes went up in price:

    Z11 pro from €135 to €140 to €144 to now €155 (same seller)

    12 ultra from €189 to €220


    Is it just here in Netherlands or general EU/USA that there is a price increase?

    Z11

    Formuler Z11 Pro - BT Edition | Androidkastje.nl
    Voor 23:59 besteld? Morgen al in huis! Gespecialiseerd in Android mediaspelers en IPTV kastjes.
    www.androidkastje.nl

    Z12

    Formuler Z12 Ultra - BT3 Editie 4GB/128GB | Androidkastje.nl
    Ontdek de nieuwe Formuler Z12 Ultra – de krachtige 4K Android IPTV box met supersnelle prestaties, MYTVOnline 3 en de nieuwste functies. Bestel nu en ervaar…
    www.androidkastje.nl


    You can also check bol.com and mediakoning

    Quote from richi207
    FeatureFormuler Z12 UltraFormuler Z11 ProFormuler Z11 Pro Max
    CPURealtek RTD1319C (Quad-Core)Realtek RTD1319C (Quad-Core)Realtek RTD1319C (Quad-Core)
    GPUMali-G57 MC1Mali-G57 MC1Mali-G57 MC1
    RAM4 GB DDR42 GB DDR44 GB DDR4
    Internal Storage128 GB eMMC16 GB eMMC32 GB eMMC
    Operating SystemAndroid 12Android 11Android 11
    Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E (Tri-Band)Dual-Band 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)Wi-Fi 6 (AX, 2×2)
    EthernetGigabit LANGigabit LANGigabit LAN
    BluetoothBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
    HDR & AudioDolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+HDR10+, HLG, AV1HDR10+, AV1
    Video Decode4K @ 60fps, AV1, HEVC, H.264, etc.4K @ 60fps, AV1, HEVC, H.264, etc.4K @ 60fps, AV1, HEVC, H.264, etc.
    Ports1× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0, HDMI, Micro-SD, LAN, SPDIF1× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0, HDMI, Micro-SD, LANSame as Z11 Pro
    Remote ControlBacklit BT Remote (BT3)Basic BT Remote (BT1 optional)BT1 Edition (optional)
    Power UseMax 12 W, Standby ~0.5 WMax 12 W, Standby ~0.5 WSimilar
    Dimensions135 × 100 × 24 mm105 × 105 × 21 mm105 × 105 × 21 mm

    The two big disappointments with this box are that Formuler have not future proofed it in respect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. They have adpoted Wi-Fi 6E why? Wi-Fi 7 is the latest available technology and blows Wi-Fi 6E not just out of the water but into the stratosphere when it comes to AV streaming and gaming, big mistake Formuler.

    Wi‑Fi 6E vs Wi‑Fi 7
    Release
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: 2021
    • Wi‑Fi 7: 2024–2025
    Frequency Bands
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
    • Wi‑Fi 7: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
    Max Channel Width
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: 160 MHz
    • Wi‑Fi 7: 320 MHz (double)
    Peak Speed
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: ~9.6 Gbps
    • Wi‑Fi 7: ~46 Gbps
    Latency
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: Low
    • Wi‑Fi 7: Ultra‑low (sub‑millisecond possible)
    Key Technologies
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: Extended spectrum (6 GHz), OFDMA, MU‑MIMO
    • Wi‑Fi 7: Multi‑Link Operation (MLO), 4K QAM, advanced scheduling
    Use Cases
    • Wi‑Fi 6E: Gaming, streaming, VR
    • Wi‑Fi 7: 8K streaming, AR/VR, cloud computing, smart homes

    🔑 Key Differences
    • Speed & Bandwidth: Wi-Fi 7 offers up to 5× faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6E thanks to wider channels and higher modulation.
    • Efficiency: Wi-Fi 7’s Multi-Link Operation (MLO) lets devices use multiple bands simultaneously, improving reliability and reducing congestion.

    Then theres the Bluetooth, why oh why have Formuler used the dated 5.2 version when version 6.1 is available and far superior.

    Bluetooth 5.2 vs Bluetooth 6.1
    Release
    • Bluetooth 5.2: 2020
    • Bluetooth 6.1: 2025
    Core Audio Technology
    • Bluetooth 5.2: Introduced LE Audio with LC3 codec
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Refined LE Audio, improved multi‑stream handling
    Latency
    • Bluetooth 5.2: Reduced compared to earlier versions, but still noticeable in gaming/video
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Ultra‑low latency, optimized for AV sync
    Multi‑Stream Audio
    • Bluetooth 5.2: First version to allow multiple synchronized streams
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Enhanced multi‑stream with better stability and device coordination
    Efficiency
    • Bluetooth 5.2: Improved power usage over 5.1
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Further optimized for battery life + performance balance
    Range & Reliability
    • Bluetooth 5.2: Stable connections, good for IoT and audio
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Improved interference management, more robust in crowded environments
    New Features
    • Bluetooth 5.2: LC3 codec, multi‑stream audio, Isochronous Channels
    • Bluetooth 6.1: Bluetooth Channel Sounding (precise device distance/location), scalability for dense device networks

    Other issues I notice although not too detremental but still disappointing are; no USB-C Gen 3.2 ports, no 8K video support, 128GB storage - why? I can use a removable thumbdrive and finally ...Gigabyte LAN this really should have been at least 10GB LAN capability to match the router market and ISP package developments thus future proofing the box.

    It appears that Formuler have just rebranded the Z11 with some simple upgrades applied and a new remote controller (Wow). Big opportunity missed to bring to the market an outstanding product that would have been in high demand but unfortunately this Z12 Ultra doesn't do anything better than my Homatics Box R. Ah well I'll have to wait and see what the Z13 brings, whenever that might be.

    Quote from fanderzzon

    Is the volume up and down always going to be for the Android system level?


    Much better with BT1 where you can control TV or Home Receiver. Much more ergonomically then the buttons in the corner.

    Have the same whish.

    Hopefully there will be an update so we can program the front volume buttons again for a receiver. Now using the old BT1 again instead of the new BT3 that came with my Z11.

    • Official Post

    Why not, download and install from G-Play or download apk and sideload on box.

    On my z12 ultra (XC),i have nordvpn installed (TCP=open vpn) protocol,encryption off.

    I did as suggested in several posts set my Private DNS to QUAD9,but after several hours or days a message pops up "Set your DNS to automatic or off"

    I am wondering where this message originates from (Nordvpn,iptv provider or ISP)?

    Quote from henkie

    On my z12 ultra (XC),i have nordvpn installed (TCP=open vpn) protocol,encryption off.

    I did as suggested in several posts set my Private DNS to QUAD9,but after several hours or days a message pops up "Set your DNS to automatic or off"

    I am wondering where this message originates from (Nordvpn,iptv provider or ISP)?

    Hi, don't know where it come from, but by the way I set a private DNS as follow: dns.mullvad.net and don't have stuttering anymore.

    Have a nice evening!

    Quote from henkie

    On my z12 ultra (XC),i have nordvpn installed (TCP=open vpn) protocol,encryption off.

    I did as suggested in several posts set my Private DNS to QUAD9,but after several hours or days a message pops up "Set your DNS to automatic or off"

    I am wondering where this message originates from (Nordvpn,iptv provider or ISP)?

    The message comes from the Formuler Z12 itself, not due ISP.

    And the message is triggered by nordvpn i think.