flashrom

TLDR

Probe the chip to ensure wiring is correct

$ flashrom -p [programmer]

Read flash contents and save to a file

$ flashrom -p [programmer] -r [path/to/backup.bin]

Write a file to the flash chip

$ flashrom -p [programmer] -w [path/to/firmware.bin]

Verify flash contents against a file

$ flashrom -p [programmer] -v [path/to/file.bin]

Erase the flash chip

$ flashrom -p [programmer] -E

Probe using Raspberry Pi SPI

$ flashrom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev0.0

Write only a specific region from a layout file

$ flashrom -p [programmer] -l [layout.txt] -i [region_name] -w [file.bin]

SYNOPSIS

flashrom [-p programmer] [-r|-w|-v|-E] [file] [options]

Flashrom is a utility for identifying, reading, writing, verifying, and erasing flash chips. It supports BIOS/EFI firmware flashing directly on the motherboard (in-system programming) as well as external programmers connected via USB, SPI, or parallel port.
The tool supports over 500 flash chips and 40+ programmer types including internal motherboard access, USB devices (CH341A, Dediprog), SPI programmers (Raspberry Pi, Bus Pirate), and network card-based programmers.

PARAMETERS

-p, --programmer name[:params]

Specify programmer device (required for chip access)

-r, --read file

Read flash ROM contents and save to file

-w, --write file

Write file contents to flash ROM

-v, --verify file

Verify flash ROM contents against file

-E, --erase

Erase the entire flash chip

-c, --chip name

Probe only for a specific flash chip model

-l, --layout file

Read ROM layout from file for partial flashing

-i, --include region

Only read, write, or verify specified region

-f, --force

Override safety checks (use with caution)

-n, --noverify

Skip automatic verification after writing

--flash-name

Display detected flash chip name

--flash-size

Display detected flash chip size

CAVEATS

Always create a backup before writing new firmware with -r. Incorrect flashing can brick your device. Laptop internal flashing is particularly risky and requires explicit -f flags. Some operations need root privileges. Verify programmer compatibility with your specific flash chip before attempting writes.

HISTORY

Flashrom originated from the LinuxBIOS (now coreboot) project around 2005 as a tool to flash open-source firmware. It evolved into a standalone project supporting a wide range of hardware. The project is community-maintained and has become essential for firmware development, coreboot installations, and chip recovery operations.