I suppose it depends on the system? I have updated Sigma, TAMRON, and XiaoYi lenses on my Panasonic and Olympus MFT bodies, as well as Panasonic and Olympus with each other: https://support.jp.omsystem.com/en/support/imsg/digicamera/d... (Sadly not an exhaustive list. I have firmware for several more lenses stashed away in my archive, but the upgrade mechanism is the same.)
I shoot the m43 system (have since the GH2, then E-M5, E-M1, and now a G9 II) and didn't realize this.
I only have one lens tight now (I tend to stay small on my system but this is a low point) but I'll keep it in mind.
Thanks for the info!