Methods of upgrading a mesh network device reduce the amount of memory required on such devices. A network device may identify a neighbor network device in response to receiving a request to perform an upgrade, and send a message configured to cause the neighbor network device to function as a recovery node. The network device may then perform the upgrade without retaining a backup image in memory. If the neighbor network device determines that the upgrade failed based on messages not received from the mesh network device being upgraded, the neighbor network device may recover the network device being upgraded by providing a file corresponding to the upgrade. The neighbor network device may determine that the upgrade failed if no response is received to a challenge message or if no indication of success is received after a time expires.